temptation

If they have five quality athletes at running back that can contribute at the varsity level, their coaching staff’s head needs examined. Are you Cody’s burner account?

Next two years on Crown Point huh? I’ll take the over. Gotta prove they can compete with their own backyard before calling out the central Indy bullies.

Not necessarily. So much more goes into preparation for a Friday night contest that is less than 2% of a student athletes’ week. Coaches/teachers can only do so much. I know that sounds cryptic and does not align with the much publicized growth mindset that you hear about in education these days but facts are facts. Taking those aforementioned “resources” out of the equation, based on the factors that I have spoken about ad nauseam on this forum some kids are starting on home plate while others are already on second base. And yes, the disparity is large in terms of 7am-3pm responsibilities…I can tell based on the fact that you used the word “teach” when describing what those coaches do all day. The best compensated coaches reside in those two conferences you mentioned but that doesn’t necessarily make them the best…by any stretch.

5 RBs huh, lol?

Why else would I watch Bama/UT-Martin in the fourth quarter?

And the game is being played tonight, right?

I don't hate Merrillville by any means. These are high school kids, lol. That being said, any opportunity to see Parkhurst with more egg on his face garners my rooting interest. Merrillville is supposed to win...

As I stated, CG I believe had seven last year and was a top ten team nationally by most outlets…betting a handful/half dozen of Indiana teams have matched that particular accomplishment. 90 BD? 06 Warren? 17 BD? 18 Warren? For a 5A program to have 9, it’d be nearly unheard of. But that never stops Cody and his hyperbole.

But does that make them “superior” coaches? Are they better in game coaches also or do their teams just show up on Friday night better prepared than their opponents, due in part to the resources at their disposal? You will have a hard time convincing me that for 2 1/2 hours on Friday nights you can decipher that every Indy area coach is better than their counterpart on the opposite sideline if that’s part of your argument. This also seems like a blanket statement.

LOL, I’ve heard this for a half decade. Grasping at straws once again. Hell, I could run for the Republican nomination in 2024 and get more votes than anyone the Dems dare trot out there.

Hard to define “better” without taking into account the “resources” he mentioned. Not to mention, the “teaching schedules” that most central Indiana 4A-6A schools allow their coaches to have is not commonplace in most areas of the state… Don’t even get me started on compensation again…

His point still stands.

"We've got him this time." This guy is the Michael Myers/Jason Voorhies of politics.

Melanin over merit...a true sign of the times.

Good analysis. Enjoy reading your take. Having regrets on the Warren pick now that I realize its on the road.

Sure, but NINE...and not even a semi-state title to show for it? Come on. Let's all remember, it was SEVENTEEN one year...

Just so we are being completely clear here, we have a poster claiming that a 5A school boasts NINE D1 football players on its roster… If true, just cancel the season. No one has a prayer. For comparison’s sake, Center Grove I believe had 7 last year and was universally viewed as a top 10 team nationally.

As you would expect, the message was vague and underwhelming.

To be fair, LN, BD, NC and LC are all playing at home in what I consider one possession type games for the most part. I’d probably go the opposite direction on a couple of them were the location flipped.

Never thought I’d find myself rooting for a parochial/private over a public but here we are. Go 59ers!

Name the players and show us the "offers" please.

I also screwed up and thought CG was AT Warren…smh.

Gonna take a while. My bad.

I will copy over the HCC/MIC week one contests here and pick the remaining three. Brownsburg @ Ben Davis: This is another one that I think could go either way between two consensus top 10 teams in 6A. I've long spoken of a "changing of the guard" on the west side but have also been adamant that I need to see more from Brownsburg in the tournament before I write it down in pen instead of pencil. I am taking the easy way out here and picking BD because they are at home; 30-24. Zionsville @ Pike: Another regional/geographical battle for two areas that share the same backyard. Zionsville has some graduation losses to overcome, and like CG I think its foolish to expect a well-oiled machine in week 1. Pike's record will not reflect its improvement in 2022 unfortunately. This is another close one but gimme Zionsville 23-14. Avon @ Lawrence North: Two programs that seem to be trending in opposite directions as Avon was at the bottom of the HCC last fall and LN is trending closer to the MIC's top two. LN lost some obvious next level talent to graduation and I have heard great things about the Avon QB. That being said, I think the Wildcats have a level of confidence never before seen on the northeast side. LN wins 31-20. Hamilton Southeastern @ Lawrence Central: This may be the most underrated game on the schedule Friday night as both teams feel like a breakthrough year is coming. HSE bounced back from a subpar 2020 last year and LC got a huge program win against Warren in the sectional and boasts the most talent player in the state. A win here would go a long way for LC in terms of building momentum towards a memorable season. I say the home team gets it done. LC wins 20-17. Fishers @ North Central: Not to sound like a broken record but similar circumstances surround this game as both teams boast legit reasons for optimism entering this season. I could also see this one going either way. I'll say NC pulls it out 27-21. Westfield @ New Palestine: Another intriguing game between two squads that have Thanksgiving weekend hopes. New Pal returns to its rightful place in 4A and Westfield is coming off of back to back state runner up finishes. I think the talent level is relatively equal but Wesfield's depth and ability to trot out fresh bodies is a major difference maker. 'Rocks win 31-23. Mount Vernon (Fortville) @ Noblesville: The term "must win" is overused and probably inaccurate for a contest in August but its pretty close to that for Noblesville. A demanding slate starts with a solid 4A unit in Mount Vernon. Not too many gimmes on the Millers' schedule this fall so they have to get this one or the pressure really turns up. I think they get it done. 20-13 Noblesville. Perry Meridian @ Franklin Central: The momentum building on the southeast side may be justified though we won't find out in week 1 as Perry is an overmatched team here. Flashes roll 42-14. What say you?

Here we go as the games count beginning this Friday! Some real tossups on the schedule as I see a handful of coin flip contests that could really shape teams' seasons. Excited for many of these matchups. Center Grove @ Warren Central: Plenty of juicy storylines here so I won't beat too many dead horses, but CG's quest for a three peat begins on the east side with a younger, new look outfit. I see this one being a classic that comes down to a turnover here or there late in the fourth quarter and I honestly think this is my "upset" of the week. The Trojan squad that left the field Thanksgiving weekend last fall has moved on and while I think they will be rolling and ready as the season progresses, I think it would be foolish to not expect some growing pains. I am taking Warren 23-21 at the expense of looking silly Saturday morning. Brownsburg @ Ben Davis: This is another one that I think could go either way between two consensus top 10 teams in 6A. I've long spoken of a "changing of the guard" on the west side but have also been adamant that I need to see more from Brownsburg in the tournament before I write it down in pen instead of pencil. I am taking the easy way out here and picking BD because they are at home; 30-24. Zionsville @ Pike: Another regional/geographical battle for two areas that share the same backyard. Zionsville has some graduation losses to overcome, and like CG I think its foolish to expect a well-oiled machine in week 1. Pike's record will not reflect its improvement in 2022 unfortunately. This is another close one but gimme Zionsville 23-14. Louisville Trinity (KY) @ Carmel: These two have played some classics recently and I will fully admit that I do not know much about the 2022 Trinity outfit other than they do not have anyone listed in the 2023 class on 247. That leads be to believe the long bus ride combined with the talent deficit makes me tend to lean towards Carmel. I will take the 'Hounds 34-21. Avon @ Lawrence North: Two programs that seem to be trending in opposite directions as Avon was at the bottom of the HCC last fall and LN is trending closer to the MIC's top two. LN lost some obvious next level talent to graduation and I have heard great things about the Avon QB. That being said, I think the Wildcats have a level of confidence never before seen on the northeast side. LN wins 31-20. Hamilton Southeastern @ Lawrence Central: This may be the most underrated game on the schedule Friday night as both teams feel like a breakthrough year is coming. HSE bounced back from a subpar 2020 last year and LC got a huge program win against Warren in the sectional and boasts the most talent player in the state. A win here would go a long way for LC in terms of building momentum towards a memorable season. I say the home team gets it done. LC wins 20-17. Fishers @ North Central: Not to sound like a broken record but similar circumstances surround this game as both teams boast legit reasons for optimism entering this season. I could also see this one going either way. I'll say NC pulls it out 27-21. My level of confidence in a weekly slate of picks has never been lower. I could honestly see myself waking up on Saturday morning 0-7 on these picks. A great week 1 slate. What say you?