Formerly Number 39

Here is a good article summarizing how it's done here in Southern California: Explaining the new Southern Section football playoff format - Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)

I totally get what you are saying, seems like adults trying to manufacture a level of excitement for the players. It just looks/ feels flat. That said, short of Marcus Freeman coming around that corner as the new HC, who would have delivered the level of excitement the administration was hoping to receive. But winning has a way of generating excitement, that will be the real test.

If the IHSAA created an "Open Class" that was intended to be comprised of the best 32 teams in the state, regardless of enrollment numbers, and inclusion was voluntary, would they be able to fill it?

Did Coach Yeoman win a title while HC?

They don't seem to be having a problem losing in the sectionals with one high school!

1. Westfield 2. Crown Point 3. Mishawaka 4. New Haven 5. New Palestine 6. Gibson Southern 7. Lawrenceburg 8. Knox 9. Centerville 10. Seeger 11. Eastern Hancock

1. Snider 2. NorthWood 3. Southport 4. Merrillville 5. Castle 6. Hammond Central 7. East Noble 8. New Prairie 9. Gibson Southern 10. Brownstown Central 11. Eastern

1. HSE 2. BNL 3. Marion 4. PH 5. Brebeuf 6. Wayne 7. TW 8. Heritage 9. NJ 10. LS 11. Triton

I thought about asking this same question. Hard to get a read from as far away as I am but glad I'm not the only one with the same observation.

1. Crown Point 2. Franklin 3. Decatur Central 4. Michigan City 5. Goshen 6. New Haven 7. New Palestine 8. Hamilton Heights 9. Forest Park 10. Lutheran 11. Cloverdale

1. Cathedral 2. Homestead 3. Franklin Central 4. Plainfield 5. LaPorte 6. Mater Dei 7. Marian 8. Franklin County 9. Brownstown Central 10. Owen Valley 11. North Decatur

1. Carroll @ Hamilton Southeastern 2. Lawrence North @ Avon 4. Warsaw @ Michigan City 5. New Palestine @ Westfield 5. Chesterton @ Hobart 6. Leo @ Kokomo 7. Jasper @ Memorial 8. Western @ Tri-West 9. FW Concordia @ Scecina 10. Perry Central @ Tell City 11. Tecumseh @ South Spencer

The last time Carmel lost in sectional play two years in a row was 1990 and 1991 (coincidentally I was a member of both teams which likely explains it!). If you believe in trends there is clearly something wrong with the program! On a serious note, are we discounting how good Westfield may be based on Carmel's history?

Mater Dei (CA) vs Salt Lake City West at the Santa Ana Bowl!

This is so true. I've been gone close to 30 years but find this forum to be the one remaining connection I have to Indiana (although now my oldest daughter is a Freshmen at Indiana so I guess there are two!).