temptation

You’re on this board daily from sun up to sun down yet want to mock folks for taking “a sport played by children too seriously”, lol. We’re all (well safe for a couple of folks) on here because we share a passion for the sport, right? Weird take.

Some truth in this but also some inaccuracies.

Nah, you can have a mulligan, lol.

Yeah, “privileged” (politics ruined the term for me) is a bit much but money matters no matter how much folks on here want to deny it and mock me.

Checkmate.

My mistake. You’re right. Carroll over Center Grove is your bold pick this year.

Accurate.

I don’t have a hunch on WHY he left, I have that on good authority. I have a hunch the move to WC came once he realized his Westfield days were over.

Not sure if this is hyperbole or we are attempting to walk back previous statements and make sure we have both sides of the outcome covered…

Whenever it was clear he’d no longer be welcomed back at Westfield? Just a hunch.

The fact that OSU has had an embarrassment of riches at QB for nearly two consecutive decades leads me to believe Howard will be good. His legs could be the difference maker. But their expectations are much too high as they have been spoiled at the position. If Ryan Day realizes he has the best running back room in the country, watch out. Otherwise, hard for me to take them seriously.

Stop.

Uh ohh….

How much of a loss is the Westfield RB and who is in line to be the guy this fall?

Chip Kelly finesse you say??? My personal opinion (possibly because I want it to be true…) Kyle McCord > Will Howard

Here we go!!!! Fishers @ North Central (Indianapolis): These two teams are in different spots as Fishers has a deep tournament run in mind whereas North Central just wants to be competitive. I think the Panthers will be improved, but will be extremely overwhelmed in week one. Fishers wins 34-14. Homestead @ Carmel: The Spartans seem to have flatlined bit recently and the same could be said about Carmel. I have been outspoken on this forum about this being a make or break year for Carmel and they have to get this one or the heat is really gonna be turned up. I say they do. Carmel 34-17. Indianapolis Cathedral @ Ben Davis: Both teams look a bit different entering this fall as they meet again in what was a great regional matchup last year. I am interested in how much offense Mr. Football candidate Mark Zackery will play for the Giants this year, especially early. I think the Giants will pick up where they left off in 2023 with a solid opening night win here. BD wins 27-17. Lawrence North @ Lawrence Central: My belief in Pat Mallory’s program has been stated multiple times on this forum and I think they are due for a breakout year. I don’t think this rivalry game will be a walk in the park though…it rarely is. Glad to see this one returning to a campus site. I’ll take LN 30-16. Warren Central @ Fort Wayne Snider: My most anticipated game of the week as the Warriors travel up I-69 to take on the defending 5A champs who are now playing at the 6A level. I feel like this one is won in the trenches and mentioned in another thread that Warren’s biggest strength (defensive line) will overwhelm Snider’s biggest weakness (offensive line). I was wrong about this one last year in a big way so take it easy on me here. Warren wins 23-17. Westfield @ Center Grove: Cannot wait for this matchup on the southside. Another one between two teams comfortably inside of my top 10 and both whom have state championship aspirations. Both want to get the taste of semi state losses out of their minds and I expect some high-level football in this one. CG is at home and is more of a proven commodity as they continue to roll annually. They win 24-14. Zionsville @ Pike: This another one that intrigues me as I expect Pike to be improved and do not see many wins outside of this one on either teams’ schedule once conference play starts. Meant as no disrespect as the HCC/MIC are absolute grinds. A win here could catapult one of these to a surprising season. I’ll take the Eagles in a fairly close one. Zionsville 23-17. What say you?

Good stuff. It’s been well documented on here that the Snider win over Warren was a huge surprise (particularly the margin) last year and I can see why that gives some pause. However, I keep coming back to your post telling me that the Panthers are starting four new on the offensive line which I would assume means that is the biggest question mark of their team. Consequently, Warren’s defensive line is their most proven commodity and easily its most talented position group. Now, it’s the same guys as last year with just another year of experience so take that with a grain of salt.

Let’s get rolling! Avon @ Lafayette Jefferson: This one really intrigues me as I have tons of respect for the Jeff program but I think Avon is on the verge of a huge upswing. The Orioles have to get this one if they want anyone else to agree with me. I’m saying they do. Avon 31-20. Fishers @ North Central (Indianapolis): These two teams are in different spots as Fishers has a deep tournament run in mine whereas North Central just wants to be competitive. I think the Panthers will be improved, but will be extremely overwhelmed in week one. Fishers wins 34-14. Fort Wayne Dwenger @ Brownsburg: A long drive for Alan County for a Dwenger program who folks in the know on here claim is in transition and whose glory days are currently behind them. Brownsburg has been the best team in Indiana during the regular season multiple times and will start this season with a bang. Brownsburg wins 41-13. Hamilton Southeastern @ Carroll (Fort Wayne): A great one between two teams in my top 10 heading into the season. Plenty of next level talent on the field for both teams and I see this one coming down to the wire. Gimme HSE 20-17. Mount Vernon (Fortville) @ Noblesville: Not really sure what to think of this game as Mount Vernon has consistently been one of the top teams in 4A and is growing rapidly. Not to sound like a broken record, but I keep waiting for Noblesville to take the next step. Similar to Avon, if they want to be taken seriously in this conference, they have to get this one. They will. Noblesville 24-20. Perry Meridian @ Franklin Central: Similar to the Fishers/NC matchup, these are teams at the opposite end of their goals heading into this season. The Falcons need to show respectability and the Flashes want to prove they are a threat to the CG dynasty once the tournament rolls around. FC wins big. 45-10. Westfield @ Center Grove: Cannot wait for this matchup on the southside. Another one between two teams comfortably inside of my top 10 and both whom have state championship aspirations. Both want to get the taste of semi state losses out of their minds and I expect some high-level football in this one. CG is at home and is more of a proven commodity as they continue to roll annually. They win 24-14. Zionsville @ Pike: This another one that intrigues me as I expect Pike to be improved and do not see many wins outside of this one on either teams’ schedule once conference play starts. Meant as no disrespect as the HCC/MIC are absolute grinds. A win here could catapult one of these to a surprising season. I’ll take the Eagles in a fairly close one. Zionsville 23-17. What say you?

Not me. I watched how they lost. Snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Coaching malpractice. Love the back and forth/chatter and your passion for the sport my man.

You set the criteria of last year’s results (specifically “how the season ended”) taking precedent for the next year’s preseason rankings, not me. I’ve spoken at length about that Warren/BD game on this forum. The final score didn’t tell the story. Not even close. Two special teams TDs for Warren and BD’s D1 lineman was not in uniform. Maybe I am out of the loop but can you say the same thing/something similar about the Carroll/Warsaw game?

So 20+ spots behind the team whose season they ended by two touchdowns? Got it.

Gimme your week 1 point spreads for the two biggies in Fort Wayne. I’ll go Warren -5.5 and HSE -2.5.

I agree on Carroll’s long term outlook, hence the reason I have them 10th. They somehow get credit for a close loss to Snider and win over an overrated Warren team and leapfrog teams that were playing at the semi state/state level?

So where do you have Warsaw? They went 9-2 and beat your #6 team by two touchdowns. Lets be consistent here.

Just out of curiosity, had Warren/Carroll played in the second to last regular season game as opposed to the second regular season game, would the result have been any different? I’ve never been much a moral victory guy and Warren had three weeks to prepare for Center Grove because their sectional is a joke but you have to admit that Warren playing CG within 14 points in the regional showed they were vastly improved from August last year. As I stated prior, it was a 0-0 game at half and eventually the damn broke and CG broke some big plays.