07_statechamp54

1 hour ago, Frosty said:

Let's just say Luers can't spot Webo 22 before they decide to turn it on offensively.

I completely agree. Webo seems to be more well rounded defensively for sure. Offensively, after watching the semi state game, pioneer was much more explosive. Webo is run heavy, usually under center with 2 receivers and a wing back plus Taylor the bruiser tailback. They run the wing (#8) in motion pre snap and most times hand the ball off to Taylor. He’s not the fastest or most athletic but boy is he a handful to bring down and just drags defenders wherever he goes. Webo’s pass game is short to intermediate when they do throw, which is maybe 7-10 times. The Knights need to play their absolute best game of the year to come out victorious there’s no doubt.

2 hours ago, AW0352 said:

I know I watched the state finals last year on YoutubeTV.  I’ve been searching everywhere and I don’t see where the games will be streamed this year on YoutubeTV.  Anyone know anything I’m missing?  Does this mean IHSAATV will show them live? 

Per Ihsaa.org, the games will be live on Fox Sports Indiana. If outside of the Fox Sports Indiana broadcast range then you can view them on ihsaatv.

On 11/15/2020 at 8:40 PM, Offintheyard said:

2 minutes ago, Fballfan15 said:

Luers had several drops including a walk in TD early in the game and 2 lost fumbles that helped dig them a whole but man can that offense score in a hurry. I fully expect them to win another State Title next weekend.

I sure hope so! This team has fought so hard an overcome so much adversity. As a former Knight and State Champion, each week they have showed me the attributes of a championship team. I’m proud of the effort tonight, especially the halftime adjustments defensively. Now we’re back home to Indianapolis! This week they need to focus on the goal and prepare for a Webo team who runs a similar style offense as Pioneer and oh by the way, is the 2 time defending state champion. It’s all come down to this, gotta leave everything out there on the field. If they do that and play 48 minutes of Luers football, I think they can leave LOS as State Champions.

52 minutes ago, Offintheyard said:

Pioneer has a 1A enrollment and playing up in 2A. If memory serves correctly, the game with NH was a last minute addition to the schedule due to covid. I believe that the game was a week after Pioneer beat 6A Chesterton and had some key injuries but still scheduled up to 4A NH. Yeah, they lost but a 1A enrollment beating a 6A and losing in the closing minutes to a 4A isn't too shabby. 

I know the SAC prepares Luers but Pioneer's schedule wasn't too bad either. Andrean was no slouch either. It's ok though, I'm sure Pioneer doesn't mind being overlooked or having their loss to NH being a sign that fans don't think they can beat Luers. 

Good luck to both teams, I hope it is a great game and that both teams come out healthy.

I can assure you none of those coaches or players at Luers are overlooking the Panthers. Personally, I have watched some film of Pioneer and think they pose some issues for the Knights. Their offense is a standard Wing T but they like to also mix in some triple option type plays out of it. Defensively they are undersized but play fast and love to bring pressure in their 5-2. They play with a lot of fire and play through the whistle with full effort. With that said, I also know from watching Luers play that they pose a lot of issues for the Panthers. Luers is very efficient offensively and has quick strike ability.  They have several athletes who are dangerous in space on both sides of the ball. Never will I overlook Pioneer, but I also won’t discount Luers. Should be a hell of a game on Friday.

5 minutes ago, Basementbias said:

Probably still pulling both the guard & tackle as well. That was a different wrinkle compared to other teams. They also like to let the interior line go when running outside so they can block downfield. They used to have a hybrid 5-3 to 5-2 (play like a 3-5/3-4 some instances). They have 3 down interior linemen and 2 standing up DE's and at least 2 inside LB's with a 3rd playing a monster or a nickel type db. Lengthy and quick but not really bulky up front. They look deceiving to put it in a way. Very physical type of guys. 

Interesting. Sounds like the 5-2 we ran when I was at Luers with a 3rd monster type hybrid playing up. It’ll be interesting to see how they match up with the Knights’ pass game. They throw it all over the yard and have 4 legitimate receivers to throw it to. 

1 hour ago, Basementbias said:

Not sure how they operate this year, but past seasons they primarily ran the ball and looked for a simple pass play when they lull you to sleep. I believe they still have the twins and they are speedsters. They had done quite a bit off tackle in 2016 and 2nd man through with Kiser. Probably similar with some changes.

From the game I saw last night, it’s the same type of offense just this version isn’t most to all of the carries belonging to one guy (Kiser). They spread the wealth pretty well. Fairfield ran the exact same offense in round 2, so Luers is recently familiar with it. This week they will have to play another very disciplined game defensively. 
 

Does anyone have any insight as to how pioneer is defensively?? I watched some of the game last night but was mostly focused on the 2 teams offenses, as Luers’ defense has been somewhat inconsistent at times.

I’m not too familiar with pioneer but I did watch some of their game with Andrean last night. They run a very similar offense to Fairfield. Run heavy, little to no pass game. Only loss this year is to little sister to the east (New Haven) 32-28. Tough group of kids. Probably the most physical team in the tournament the knights have seen yet.

1 hour ago, LuersLurker said:

At least the Knights are at home.  Back in Black!

Love the all black uniforms! Never was a fan of the red pants or jerseys.

Thoughts on this matchup?

Just wanna say hats off to the Tipton Blue Devils on a hard fought game and a great season. Much respect! 
 

Luers tonight played the best game from a defensive standpoint so far in the playoffs. I was really happy to see the physicality! Offensively, another good showing, but a few things to tighten up before next week. Overall, great win Knights! New week, new meat! 

10 minutes ago, Donnie Baker said:

Hard to pick against Lures but I think Tiptons breaks through this year. I swear to God they will.

Tipton is a much improved program there’s no doubt. In order for the Knights to be victorious, it’ll take 48 mins of hard nosed Luers football. 

9 minutes ago, LuersLurker said:

Four quarters of the best Luers football they have in them. Make them beat you.  Don't beat yourselves.  

Agreed. They need to bring this mentality. Limit turnovers and silly penalties. Defensively play fast and physical and through the whistle. If they do that, they will be fine. If not, Tipton can and will take advantage.

6A: Homestead at Westfield: Homestead has shown in the later half of the year that they are the best in the Fort Wayne area. The Shamrocks have proven all year they’re one of central Indiana’s best. Should be a good one. Westfield by 7

5A: Bishop Dwenger at Zionsville. Zionsville is a solid all around team from what I’ve seen and heard, but this Saints team is just too talented. Dwenger by 10.

3A: Concordia at Bishop Chatard. The cadets defense has been stout all year against tough competition in the SAC, but Chatard is a different animal. Can Concordias offense play their best game of the year?? We shall see. Chatard by 17.

2A: Luers at Tipton. The Knights come in after an impressive offensive showing against #4 Eastside but once again the defense was nowhere to be found. Tipton on the other hand plays well on both sides of the ball and this game is at Tipton. If it’s another shootout, Luers by 7. If Tipton can get stops, I like the Blue Devils by 7.

3 hours ago, Bonecrusher said:

Luers by 7 points or less.

As a Luers alum, I would love for the Knights to win but the defense has been so inconsistent. Every recent state championship team Luers has had (except for 2009) a stout defense.  They can’t expect the offense to win in shootouts every week as the competition gets tougher. I hope they prove me wrong but my gut is telling me the Tipton wins this game.

8 hours ago, LuersLurker said:

AH, the good old days!  I do watch the games on my computer as much as I can, but while I was teaching I was closer to the hearts and minds of the players.  I miss being in the stands and collecting pre- game newspaper articles and forum quotes to post on the wall outside my classroom.  By this time of year, that wall was full from door to door. 

Miss those days! Your classroom had everything from fourm postings to newspaper clippings from the local paper of the school we were playing to the sagarin ratings and schedule of each team. Honestly, I truly feel like that Bulletin board material helped fuel us to the the state championship in ‘07. We fed off stuff like that. I can specifically remember during Jimtown week Coach Lindsay (Matt) showing us a local news interview of Jimtowns two running backs referring to themselves as thunder and lighting and anyone trying to win 2A North had to stop them. So, thank you Lurker for always talking football with us and getting us ready mentally 🙏🏼

Yes! Good ol’ purple nurple! Luers does have a very good sophomore kicker and ball security will be important. I think really it could also come down to simply who wants it more. As cliche as that sounds. Both programs are tough and gritty traditionally so that may just be the deciding factor. 

5 hours ago, Fballfan15 said:

Surprised this thread is so quiet. It seemed the Luers-Tipton threads 8-10 years ago had like 10 pages apiece. Any thoughts on this one?

If I’m being honest, a lot of the old school posters from years ago don’t seem to be on here as much. Also, I feel as if there isn’t as much hype around the Luers program as their once was. This is the longest drought of a state championship appearance in program history after coming of a 6 year span where we won 5 out of 6. 
 

As far as this game goes, I feel like Tipton does have the upper hand here. They seem to be very disciplined on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Luers is great offensively, but has struggled all year defensively, especially up front. This game is at Tipton and with that said I honestly give the edge to the Blue Devils.

18 minutes ago, Fballfan15 said:

Unfortunately #20 Lyons who was a Jr. All State kid tore his ACL and is out for the season. Sophomore Eli Carter has filled in nicely as he just went over 1,000 yards. Miss Lyons on defense though. The strength of Tipton’s team in my opinion is its Receivers. 4-5 kids that are big time playmakers. Looking forward to seeing what this Luers team has but I’m guessing like usual they have speed, speed, speed.

That’s unfortunate wow. Prayers to him for a speedy recovery! He definitely was the tone setter on both sides from the tape I watched. As far as the Knights go, yes speed as usual. Junior Qb Clark has thrown for 2600 yds and 26 TDs on the year. Like the blue devils, plenty of receivers with junior Glenn being the main target. Just a shade over a 1000 yds with 13 TDs. Last night the duo hooked up for 4 TDs, with Clark having 7 total (6 pass 1 rush)

Here we go again! These two teams have some playoff history and as always this game will be at Tipton. I’ve seen this blue devils team on tape and they are very dynamic offensively. The tailback #20 (Lloyd I believe?) is a absolute workhorse. The Qb #2 also can get out and run the ball well. Defensively this team really gets after it, they fire off the ball very well and gang tackle. The knights absolutely have to bring their best game on Friday or this game will get out of hand quickly.

13 minutes ago, psaboy said:

Unranked Luers beats a top 5 rated team, seems like Luers is declining this year. 

Agreed. They were very lucky to come out of there with a W. They’ll be overmatched vs Tipton next week. The Blue Devils are the real deal.

just checked Luers’ website, looks like the will be having fans tonight at Luersfield. I wonder if Homestead and Dwenger and Concordia will as well.

7 hours ago, Robert said:

Anderson +1 Hale.  My opinion. 

I can see that, but is Anderson 100%?? Spent most of the last 2 seasons out with lingering injuries that called for Hale to step into the role he has.

Prayers and a speedy recovery for him. You hate to see kids go down with injury.

34 minutes ago, jakone said:

15-20 years ago there were 3 teams that were consistently good, Snider, Dwenger and Luers the rest would pop up every few years. Now with the addition of Homestead and Carroll the SAC is not only better now but when Snider rebounds (which they will) the SAC will be a lot better than 15-20 years ago. Just my opinion.

The rule change that essentially took districts away is why I think it’s less competitive now. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a definite upgrade having Homestead and Carroll in the SAC. My gripe is when we see kids transferring schools every year with no penalty of sitting out depending on what team is gonna have the best roster. Back in the day you went to the school in your district or sat out a year.

17 hours ago, southend said:

SAC is on the down slide. 
 

It’s certainly not what it was 15-20 years ago no, but still much more competitive than the other local conferences.