temptation

And then they stick around Saturday and challenge the Westfield/Brownsburg winner for state supremacy (a la Wrestlemania 9). (If you get that reference, you had a great childhood.)

The gap has closed based on what data? Westfield and Brownsburg continue to grow at a pretty consistent rate. Wright at Carmel is going to be a problem annually as you mentioned. Center Grove is the intriguing one to me as who knows how many years Moore has left. Who is chosen as his successor will be massively important. I think Crown Point and Carroll will also continue to improve, no doubt but I’m not sure it’s gonna matter.

As suspected, we have extreme differences in how we view teams that are “in the conversation,” Even if I were to concede Ben Davis and Warren, after the first 4-6 weeks of the season, we had enough data to eliminate them as contenders. Clemson, Texas, Penn State and Florida State were “in the conversation” for the CFP back in September and look where they are now. Look at what Carmel did to both Warren and BD. No different. Yes, you cite Carroll’s win over HSE and Crown Point’s win over Westfield frequently but it’s hard to view them as more than “one offs” based on what happened to them at LOS. No fault of their own just simple geography. I won’t get into the specifics of Snider and Warren and will focus on the postseason. The data is pretty clear…to me anyway.

I approve. Strangely optimistic about this weekend.

The problem has been what happens WHEN they’ve made it to LOS.

You gave Warren NO SHOT just weeks ago. HSE, Fishers better win the HCC first. They are a combined 4-16 vs Brownsburg and 5-15 against Westfield in their last 20. Carroll and Crown Point just aren’t ready yet. No one expected DC to win a sectional in their first year in 6A, let alone be in the conversation to win the title. Ben Davis was young and the coaching turnover there has officially become concerning.

Nah, that’s a long winded conversation. Anyone with a functional brain knew it was coming down to these four teams. LN was on the outside looking in due to their two playmakers but their early season home loss to Fishers and lack of overall discipline was evident from September on. I’ll even go a step farther…the four teams mentioned will be the teams in the conversation next year, and the next, and the next…

We obviously have different rules about what “in the conversation” means. Brownsburg Westfield Carmel Center Grove That’s the list.

Discuss.

So about 1/3rd of the class was “in the conversation?”

False.

Stopped reading at Doyel. Clark still have that restraining order against that whack o?

Doesn’t “bother me”. You both sided this contest before kickoff and had both narratives in the chamber ready to go. I’ll answer for you. No, Carroll was not in in the discussion for the state title this season…unless Westfield happens to somehow blow out Brownsburg this weekend.

State FInals Picks: 6A: Brownsburg - 1 5A: New Palestine - 3 4A: Roncalli - 5 3A: Eliminated 2A: Brownstown Central - 30 1A: Eliminated

Don't view it so much as "underestimating Dwenger" so much as a belief in Roncalli. Always claiming bias and disrepect while doing it yourself.

I'll start. 6A: "Familiar conference foes Westfield and Brownsburg engage in rock fight as defenses dominate in Brownsburg's close win." 5A: "Dragons overcome a slow start to complete perfect season and spoil Merrillville's trip south with a dominating second half" 4A: "Roncalli goes 2 for 2 against Dwenger as Royals escape with a 10 point victory over Dwemger." 3A: "Luers completes unlikely tournament run with an upset win over Cascade." 2A: "Brownstown breaks through as offense wears down Andrean in the second half." 1A: "South Putnam completes last year's unfinished business with win over Pioneer." What say you?

Cascade's SOS gave me pause even with the injury to Gibson Southern's QB. Lesson learned.

Ya see, and this is why I have trouble taking you seriously. You give Westfield credit and then (in the very same breath) blame a "wet ball" and then choose the words "Carroll gives up a fumble." Turnovers are a two-way street, no doubt but this is head scratching.

Mic drop.

Please do. Was Carroll "in the state title conversation" this year in your opinion?

Not bad! 11/12 here.

Good stuff right here.

Chiefs had the ball for over two-thirds of the game and the Colts did give up tons of yards but to hold the KC offense (at Arrowhead) to 23 points and only allowing them to get in the end zone twice was pretty damn solid. Give em what they want between the 20s and buckle down in the red zone. I thought some of the offensive play calling down the stretch was questionable personally.

Roncalli is averaging nearly 40 points per game since the Chatard loss. Undoubtedly both teams have improved but Roncalli has by leaps and bounds.

Laying this one on the defense is…certainly a choice.