temptation

Realized I was mixing up Westfield and Zionsville, lol.

Oops, good call.

This bracket is about one team and one team only. The Favorite: Lutheran - The Saints have passed every test thrown at them as they attempt to defend their crown from 2021. Only one win in single digits and two within two possessions. I have a feeling they may be able to name their score Thanksgiving weekend. The Contenders: (Sorted alphabetically.) Adams Central - The Flying Jets are looking to get another crack and Lutheran and would be undefeated if they do so. A nice win over an Eastside squad whom I have a lot of respect for is their signature victory. We will see if they can get back and finish the job this time. North Judson - The Blue Jays enter the tournament a t 8-1 and have solid shutout win over a good Knox squad on their resume. They did fall to 2A LaVille in OT in week 8 which is nothing to be ashamed of. The Sleepers: (Sorted alphabetically.) North Decatur - A tough one out of the gate for the Chargers as they travel to Tri. Should they get by that one, the regional shapes up nicely before Lutheran likely awaits in the semi-state. South Putnam - The Eagles get much respect from this guy for taking on all comers. After traveling to Indy to test their mettle against a quality Heritage Christian unit, they also took on a great 2A squad in Linton to close out the season. They will be tested right out of the gate as they travel back to Indy, where Lutheran awaits. Temp's Picks: Sectional Champs: North Judson Park Tudor Carroll (Flora) Adams Central Sheridan North Decatur Lutheran Providence Regional Champs: North Judson Adams Central North Decatur Lutheran Semi-State Champs: Adams Central Lutheran State Champions: Lutheran What say you?

Quite possibly the most wide open class in my opinion. No clear favorite here and would not be surprised if any of a half dozen teams were in Indy. The Favorites: (Sorted alphabetically.) Andrean - The 59ers have the most talented player in the class, and possibly the state. Obviously battle tested as they have played Merrillville, Crown Point and Hobart, not to mention an out of state win against Crete-Monee (IL). Health questions at the QB position are their only question mark. Can Bowen put his team on his back a la Jaylon Smith from Luers? Eastside - This team has become fun to keep an eye on since their shocking regional upset of a great Luers squad in 2021. They'll likely get Luers again but I don't expect much resistance. Will be heavily favored should they reach the regional round also. Evansville Mater Dei - Another battle tested squad as there are few weeks off in the SIAC. Playing larger schools all season does not do much for the win/loss record but it does do wonders from a confidence and experience standpoint. No coincidence Mater Dei is always in the conversation in late November. Linton-Stockton - Last week's win over South Putnam was eye opening as the Miners' schedule is always a topic of conversation. They put it on a good Eagles squad that has some nice wins on its resume which gives me confidence they will be ready in November. Scecina - Only loss on the schedule is to 1A state title favorite Lutheran. Head coach has seen more football than all forum users combined, lol. He will have them ready. Potential rematch of a 1 point game against Triton Central potentially in the sectional title game could be a classic. Triton Central - These guys are also worth keeping an eye on. They too lost to Lutheran and narrowly lost to the Scecina team mentioned above. They will likely get a shot to avenge the aforementioned loss and possibly on their homefield if the bracket falls how I'd expect. The Contenders: Laville - Not much on the resume here in terms of impressive wins but going undefeated is not easy, no matter who you are. Always gonna get everyone's best shot. Temp's Picks: Sectional Champs: Andrean Lafayette Central Catholic Eastside Eastbrook Linton-Sockton Heritage Christian Triton Central Evansville Mater Dei Regional Champs: Andrean Eastside Linton-Stockton Triton Central Semi-State Champs: Eastside Linton-Stockton State Champions: Linton-Stockton

One of the more intriguing classes in my opinion. The Favorites: (Sorted alphabetically.) Bishop Chatard - Not a typical Chatard outfit in my opinion but definitely good enough. As usual, easily the most battle tested team in the class as they have played a brutal schedule which is why some look at the record and shrug. No team the Trojans line up against in the tournament will be better than anyone they have seen thus far. Gibson Southern - The demise of the Titans after their star quarterback moved on was greatly exaggerated. No, you don't just replace a 4 star talent but I am a big believer in experience and GS has it. They left the state and beat a much larger school in South Warren (KY) actually avenging a loss from 2021. Then, returned to the state and took care of business in the PAC. West Lafayette - Not tested since a week 1 win over Harrison, who is a good squad. Should have little trouble, sorry Hanover Central in the sectional/regional round where the winner of sectional 28 likely awaits. The Contenders: (Sorted alphabetically.) Lawenceburg - The Tigers obliterated a fairly easy schedule after a week 1 loss to a great East Central team that could very well win 4A. Six consecutive shut out wins to close out the regular season and that success should continue through the sectional round before a solid opponent awaits in the regional. Played last year's Gibson Southern team to a two point game so they have been deep before. Norwell - The top team in 3A according to Sagarin but not as battle tested as a team like Chatard. I admit that I may have overlooked this team as nothing stood out on their schedule. Dropped a close one to a good Columbia City team last week and as I mentioned in another thread, they will likely get their chance to show they belong. The Sleepers: (Sorted alphabetically.) Guerin Catholic - Like Chatard, don't let the record fool you. These guys are more than capable of springing an upset or two and turning sectional 28 upside down. Southridge - Under the radar squad with all of the good teams in southwest Indiana. They played Gibson Southern closer than any other 3A team during the regular season. Tri-West - Beat a good WeBo squad who they could likely see again. Western Boone - Never count this team out. After a brief pause, the Stars are back and more than capable of putting the rest of 3A on notice. Temp's Picks: Sectional Champions: West Lafayette Knox Norwell Bishop Chatard Western Boone Gibson Southern Lawrenceburg Southridge Regional Champions: West Lafayette Bishop Chatard Gibson Southern Southridge Semi-State Champions: West Lafayette Gibson Southern State Champions: Gibson Southern

Some super talented/loaded teams in this class that should make for an interesting next few weeks. The Favorites: (Sorted alphabetically.) New Palestine - After a dominating stretch followed by a quick hiatus, Kyle Ralph's Dragons are back with a vengeance and put the state on notice immediately by disposing of the defending 5A state runners-up in Westfield before coasting through conference play. That's the question for me. Can the Dragons flip the switch back on and recreate that magic as the teams get tougher? Was never a problem in the past and I don't think it will be this time around either. Roncalli - Many anointed the 4A title a closed discussion back in early September as New Pal looked dominant. However, the Royals have narrowed the gap significantly and are battle tested with some great wins on their resume. They'll have a couple of tests in the sectional round and if they make it to Thanksgiving weekend, will have deserved it as their path is absolutely brutal. The Contenders: (Sorted alphabetically.) East Central - Any other year, I feel like the Trojans belong in the above category and perhaps they still do. EC beat a solid Lawreneburg unit in week 1, coasted through an easy conference schedule and they played Roncalli right down to the wire in week 9. They have the benefit of a slightly easier sectional compared to Roncalli though a Martinsville team with some impressive wins also could make them sweat. Evansville Reitz - Its easy for a central Indy guy like myself to forget about the Pocket City and some have been critical of Reitz's omission from the my weekly rankings. The SIAC was a cluster of good teams this year and Reitz seems to be the best of the bunch. Are they great? We will find out. Jasper and Memorial will not go down quietly. The Sleepers: (Sorted alphabetically.) Brebeuf Jesuit - A team much better than its record indicates as they play a daunting schedule. Actually led Roncalli early in their contest before falling by 17. Columbia City - Another team, like Fort Wayne North in 5A that few are talking about. The Eagles quietly took care of business after an early season blemish. Evansville Memorial - As mentioned, a solid SIAC unit that won 6 of its last 7 after starting 0-2. They'll be ready. Hobart - Never count out the Brickies. Another team that played a tough schedule in losing to two DAC teams early before winning 6 of their last 7. Jasper - The Wildcats were in the thick of the SIAC race all season long and have enough to make either Memorial or Reitz earn the sectional title. Kokomo - The Wildcats played a ho hum schedule and lost to the best team on it (Lafayette Jeff) albeit by a small margin. They are dangerous. Mooresville - One of the best QBs in the state that few are talking about. Sectional is loaded. New Prairie - Only blemish is to a 6A unit in Penn. NorthWood - Most folks' favorite to come out of the north. Temp's Picks: Sectional Champions: Hobart NorthWood Columbia City Kokomo Roncalli New Palestine East Central Evansville Reitz Regional Champions: NorthWood Kokomo New Palestine East Central Semi-State Champions: NorthWood New Palestine State Champions: New Palestine What say you?

Not as intriguing as 6A (never thought I would say that after Cathedral got bumped up) but here we are. The Favorites: (Sorted alphabetically.) Fort Wayne Snider - Like I stated in the 6A thread, Indiana high school football is simply better when a program like Snider is good. Due to the closed SAC schedule, we honestly don't know "how good" because we don't have a measuring stick of many common opponents. Sagarin loves the Pantthers who held off a good North Side team in week 1 before suffering their only loss a week later to 6A contender Carroll. Whiteland - Other than one hiccup, Whiteland has emerged as the best 5A program in central Indiana. They won a very competitive and improving Mid-State Conference and can breathe a sigh of relief not having to see Cathedral anywhere in the 5A bracket. They did have one, head scratching hiccup, a 14 point loss to a decent Martinsville unit but the Warriors won every other contest by double figures against a top 25 schedule. The Contenders: (Sorted alphabetically.) Bloomington South - The Panthers suffered an early season loss to that same Martinsville team mentioned above but was perfect the rest of the way. They get a bit of a breather in the sectional rounds and should also be heavily favored in the regional. Merrillville - The Warren Central of class 5A. You never know what you are getting with the Pirates as they have looked as good as anyone in the class and then pedestrian at other times. Talent is definitely not an issue but Merrillville needs to flip the switch after a late season thud at Chesterton. The Pirates have been to the doorstep at the 6A level before so they should not be intimidated by anyone they see in the bracket. The Sleepers: (Sorted alphabetically.) Chesterton - Mentioned above that their 25 point drubbing of Merrillville last week turned some heads. They will likely have a coin flip game with conference rival Valpo and then Merrillville should be waiting in the regional should they survive that. Fort Wayne North - Only losses are to Snider and Carroll and both by one possession. Uber talented skill position players and I feel like they may be the best team in 5A that no one talks about. Franklin - Mentioned the competitive Mid-State Conference as possibly the state's most improved and the Grizzly Cubs were right in the thick of it. They likely get Whiteland at home in a contest they were blanked in during the regular season. Could be the biggest game in program history if the bracket falls how I expect it to. Harrison (West Lafayette) - Another program on the rise whose only loss was in week 1 against a great 3A squad in West Lafayette. Defeated rival Jeff who is a solid 6A unit before coasting home. Mishawaka - The Cavemen also have one blemish on their resume, to most folks' 4A north favorite NorthWood. Mishawaka should sneak by Concord before the best 5A team from Fort Wayne awaits in the regional. Valparaiso - A young team written off by some early hung around and was competitive in the DAC. They'll need to defeat two DAC rivals to stay alive midway through the month. Temp's Picks: Sectional Champs: Merrillville Chesterton Mishawaka Fort Wayne North Harrison (West Lafayette) Whiteland Bloomington South Castle Regional Champs: Merrillville Fort Wayne North Whiteland Bloomington South Semi-State Champs: Fort Wayne North Whiteland State Champion: Whiteland

Mentioned multiple times prior that there has never been this much excitement entering the 6A tournament since its inception early in the last decade. You could make a case for multiple teams on the right night to make it all the way to Thanksgiving weekend should the chips fall correctly. The Favorites: (Sorted Alphabetically) Brownsburg - The Bulldogs ran roughshod through a tough HCC all fall and fell a couple of points short on the road at HSE last week failing in their bid to win the conference title and complete an undefeated season. This program has been HERE before. They need to show postseason success and this is their best chance yet. Won't be easy with a road contest at neighborhood rival Ben Davis, who they defeated back in August. The Bulldogs could roll all the way to Lucas Oil, or be sitting at home on Halloween weekend. Cathedral - The Irish exercised their Center Grove demons in dramatic fashion in Greenwood last week, snapping the Trojans' 35 game in-state winning streak. I think Cathedral is the most talented team in the state and they have been my 6A pick from week 1. They can't afford to use last weekend's method of victory as a blueprint however. Their lone loss was a high scoring thriller at Brownsburg early in the season and they may get a chance to avenge that loss in the regional. Center Grove - All was well on the south side of Center Grove until the fourth quarter last week. The Trojans are not accustomed to losing, especially on their home field. Center Grove has the luxury of a fairly easy sectional where they should see little resistance. Even though no coaching staff would admit it, they will likely have three weeks to prepare for a regional contest, a likely matchup with former conference rival Warren Central, who actually played them quite well in week 1. Hamilton Southeastern - A few GID posters called their shot this summer and struck gold as the Royals became the class of the HCC and ran undefeated through a monstrous schedule. They'll likely have to go through cross town rival Fishers in the sectional title game, more than likely on the road. That game was an overtime thriller the first time around so nothing is guaranteed. This has a real "2019-21 Brownsburg feel to it" as the Royals will be given the task of shedding the HCC postseason label of teams that fail to get over the hump. Like Brownsburg, they could be hoisting the trophy at Lucas Oil, or sitting at home the first weekend in November. The Contenders: (Sorted Alphabetically) Ben Davis - The Giants hit the jackpot with a transfer quarterback from Brownsburg and rode it all the way to the MIC crown. They will get a chance in the opening weekend of 6A play to avenge a loss to those same Bulldogs in which the QB did not play. Should be a great game. Carmel - The 'Hounds slipped up late against Warren before dominating a good LC team on senior night to regain momentum heading into the tournament. They will get a hungry Westfield team in round 1 that is hungry to prove they belong in the 6A conversation after two consecutive semi-state crowns at the 5A level. The Sleepers: (Sorted Alphabetically) Carroll (Fort Wayne) - Is it the same old story in 6A or can the Chargers take the next step? Is it possible to be a "sleeper" at 9-0? Crown Point - The Bulldogs are ahead of schedule in winning the Duneland and will replace Merrillville as northwest Indiana's "next great hope" to take down a central Indy squad en route to the state finals. Fishers - As mentioned above, the Tigers played the now #1 team in the state to a 1 point overtime loss on the road and will likely get a chance to host HSE in the sectional title game in the rematch. Lawrence Central - Another program ahead of schedule. Most thought they'd be better, but not this fast. Cathedral won't be able to just show up and dispose of the Bears. Penn - The Kingsmen played favorite Cathedral well on their homefield last month and 6A football, and football in Indiana in general is simply better when Penn is relevant. Warren Central - Most puzzling team in the state. Beats nationally ranked King and Carmel, gets blown out by Lawrence North/Lawrence Central. Rumor has it they may debut a new quarterback in the tournament. Westfield - The Shamrocks responded after consecutive losses mid-season to finish strong. They have been a player at the 5A level and now get to prove they can hang with the big dogs. Temp's Picks: Sectional Champs: Crown Point Carroll (Fort Wayne) Hamilton Southeastern Westfield Brownsburg Cathedral Warren Central Center Grove Regional Champs: Crown Point Westfield Cathedral Center Grove Semi-State Champs: Westfield Cathedral State Champion: Cathedral What say you?

Haven’t followed Andrean since the beginning of the season, what’s the status on their quarterback?

Irish can still make something if this season. Three legit squads left on the schedule (2.5 I guess with Syracuse). Can they get at least one of them?

Whiteland more likely. Fastest growing area in the state. Will be a mega school in no time.

The poll will extend into the postseason. They’ll get their shot against the sectional 28 winner to prove me wrong and even a close loss validates your skepticism. Their loss against Columbia City (who was also fringe top 50 all season) didn’t help their cause.

I slept on them a bit in my weekly poll. Their SOS was a limiting factor but actually better than I had though when I went back and looked. I think they are borderline top 50.

Whiteland is legit but they are another team that could just as easily lose in game 1 as make it to Thanksgiving weekend. Franklin is no slouch.

Hell, taking it a step farther you could make a case that teams like Ben Davis, Brownsburg, Carmel, Westfield, Carroll and Penn could just as easily lose in game 1 as make it to the state title game.

Never, since the inception of 6A has there been a postseason with so much intrigue and so wide open. I think you could honestly make a case for 25 percent of the class to get hot and end up in LOS on Thanksgiving weekend.

Off topic but I think Norwell is barely top 5 in 3A…(ducks head on way out).

I’m all for it if someone can set it up!

Yep!

“Their” is a chance that it’s both.

You still evaluating unproven quarterbacks and anointing them while giving them nicknames such as “the chosen one?” “Expertise.”

I have no lane…live a life without lanes.

Time and place, right? Seven of their wins have been by double figures. Wouldn’t you get them in on those situations and not a tie/3 point game in week 9 of the season? Head scratching to me.

Bobref is always beating the drum for playoff qualifications, but in the same breath speaks about the lack of officials. With a tourney cut in half (potentially), you would have a REAL officiating problem. Folks who are not getting tourneys will continue to quit.

Now it’s freshmen AND sophomores huh?