NRRaider2001

Here is the link to the TV46 live stream for those that cannot attend tomorrow night https://www.ihsaatv.org/?B=322493

From The Goshen News article written by Evan Lepak found here: MIDDLEBURY — Seven years ago, Northridge defeated Norwell 17-10 to win a Class 4A regional championship and advance to semistate for the first time in program history. This Friday, the 2021 Raiders (8-4) pwill be searching for the school’s second 4A semistate appearance when they play the Mississinewa Indians (9-2) in the regional final at Interra Field. The game will start at 7:30 p.m. After a veryp emotional overtime win against then-undefeated Leo in the Sectional 19 championship game in Middlebury last Friday, Northridge head coach Chad Eppley has been happy with his team’s focus so far in preparation for the Indians. “We started this when we played NorthWood. We called it a first-of-five game series to get to state,” Eppley said. “After every game that’s passed, we say that this was one-of-five, second-of-five and so on. After we beat Leo, we celebrated a little bit, and then I reminded them that next week is four-of-five. "Our kids are locked in. They know what’s at stake, and they have goals that they want to reach. … There’s a reason we’re playing Mississinewa in the regional championship game. (Mississinewa)’s a really good football team. I think (our players) know that and respect that.” STOPPING MISSISSINEWA’S RUN GAME In the victory over Leo, Northridge’s defense held the Lions vaunted rushing attack to just 132 yards on 30 attempts. Coming into the game, Leo averaged more than 300 yards on the ground. “We all just did our job and got to the party,” said Northridge linebacker Ridge Howard of his defense’s performance in the sectional championship. “We really trusted one another. … We were hyped and ready to play. Then we went out and played one of the best games of the year.” Howard — who broke the school’s single-season tackle record against Leo — led the team with 12 in the sectional championship. Senior Peyton Shook was second with 11 tackles and junior Jethro Hochstetler was behind him with nine. The gang-tackling effort was a big part of Northridge’s success against the run, and the Raiders will have to be ready for another war in the trenches against Mississinewa. The Indians average 326 rushing yards per game compared to just 61 yards per game through the air. Indians quarterback Nolan Quaderer is just 33-of-57 for 617 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions this season. That’s because the Indians are led by a tandem of running backs who have each eclipsed well over 1,000 rushing yards this season. Senior Carson Campbell (5’ 4”, 145 pounds) and junior Hayden Nelson (5’ 8”, 170 pounds) each have two different running styles that can keep the opponent’s defense off-balance. Campbell leads the team with 1,936 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns on 146 attempts, while Nelson has 1,221 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns on 117 attempts. “We have to be able to stop their speed,” said Eppley of Mississinewa’s running backs. “(Campbell) is very fast on film, and then (Nelson) runs the 100 in track. So both of those guys are very fast, and really physical for their size. … (Northridge defensive coordinator) Nick Clark’s done a great job running through the formations this week, and as long as we are gap sound, we should be okay.” CONTROLLING THE BALL ON OFFENSE One of the biggest keys to winning against a run-heavy team is controlling the time of possession offensively. The Raiders did just that last Friday, holding the ball for 30:19 compared to Leo’s 17:41. Even with quarterback Tagg Gott having a pedestrian performance in the passing game for his standards — 13-of-26, 152 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions — Gott still ran for two rushing touchdowns, including the one in overtime that setup kicker Dylan Ritchie’s game-winning extra point. While Gott will be striving for a better individual stat line this Friday night, the strategy of holding the ball and wearing down the opposing defense will reap benefits for Northridge whether Gott has a sensational performance against the Indians defense or not. Mississinewa’s defense has averaged just 15 points-per-game allowed through 11 contests this season. During the sectional semifinals though, New Haven (5-6) gave the Indians all they wanted before Mississinewa outlasted the Bulldogs 42-27. The Raiders — who averaged 30 points per game during sectionals — will likely be the best offense the Indians have faced so far in the postseason. “We really respect their defense,” Eppley said. “They have some big dudes up front, and they have speed all around. I think the thing that’s really going to help us out is the two-way starters. I believe they have eight or nine two-way starters, where we have just five or six. So I think that’ll help us. I think we’re going to be able to wear them down, especially with the way we’ve been using the time of possession.” “I think we’ll be able to run the ball on them,” Gott added. “And I also see one high safety (on film), which was the same thing we saw against Columbia City. So on some of our pass plays, they just aren’t going to be able to cover it with that formation. As long as we keep playing football the way we have, I think we’ll be fine.”

Cold, windy, chance of rain/ snow showers, gotta love November football in the north!

I know strength of schedule has been mentioned as a positive for Northridge vs Mississinewa for Friday nights game. So I ran the numbers. Mississinewa's 11 opponents have an average Sagarin Rating of 199. Northridge's 12 opponents have an average of 99.8. But again, these games aren't played on paper, it's going to come down to who wants it more this Friday. Can't wait! Should have been more specific, the 199 vs 99.8 is the average current overall state ranking by Sagarin for each schools previous opponents.

For those who can't make it out to Middlebury Friday night, WHME TV 46 has announced this as their game of the week and will be streaming.

Northridge held Leo to 1 for 3 on conversions prior to that decision, its possible that the coach saw the same kicker I did before the game booting 30+ yard field goals with ease.

A little history about Northridge football to those unfamiliar. Northridge had never had much success in football, in 2013 Tom Wogomon took over as head coach and the culture changed quickly. Wogomon was head coach at Wawasee (where Chad Eppley played for him) before coming to Middlebury. In 2014 Northridge won their first sectional and regional titles before losing to New Prairie at semi state. After the 2020 season Wog retired and Northridge promoted then assistant coach Chad Eppley. Eppley turned 27 last Friday night and won Northridge's 2nd ever sectional title on that night. Since Wogomon and Eppley took over, the Raiders have a reputation of playing disciplined, hard hitting football. This year has been no different, and you can't really point to just one player that has been the difference, it has been a team effort. Eppleys first assistant job came after playing for the university of university of Indianapolis. He was an assistant on Westfield when they won a state championship.

Hope they make the trip up to Middlebury, would hate to win by forfeit.

Appreciate the insight, my ex mother in law is buried at Marion National Cemetery and we went through Gas City/ ate at Cracker Barrel usually when we came from 69 to visit. Usually Sirloin Stockade if we came down through Marion. You're right on the long drive, and 5-7pm on a Friday night at Essenhaus is likely to be a long wait time. If anyone gets out of work and heads up early it's still a cool place to check out for those that haven't been, even if you just walk through the shops and bakery. Northridge runs the ball decently and can pass as well, but we lost a lot of the passing production after our starting qb was injured for the season. One of our top rbs/a top sprinter in the state is also out for the season along with a few other key guys. That being said, we struggled at the end of the regular season to figure things out with all the guys dropping like flies, but seem to have figured things out now with moving a guy from rb to qb now, he has given us a more mobile qb that seems to find a way to win.

For the record, it isn't a Northridge fan making excuses or complaining about a call. I saw some of that on Twitter after this last Friday night's game from the other side, but rather than engage I just let it go lol.

Should be another great game, Harrell has Northridge by 1, but the s19 final reiterated that these games aren't played on paper. Any insight on Ole Miss, as far as I know these two teams have never played in football. For those making the trip from Gas City, you'll want to show up plenty early and visit Das Dutchmen Essenhaus (Indianas Largest Restaurant).

So proud of how our kids have responded since facing tons of adversity this year. Wogomon changed our culture and I truly believe Eppley will take us to that next level for years to come.

Raiders win 27 to 26!!!

Heading to overtime

Shigs n Pit is always a favorite of mine when I'm downtown.

Fair enough, someone Leo didn't see last year was Tagg Gott. He was playing in Michigan last year, and has been playing at a high level for Northridge in recent weeks after being moved to qb due to necessity. This game has potential to surprise a lot of people.

Gonna be that guy today and predict an NLC sweep tonight. Call me a homer, maybe, but I've been called worse. Warsaw by 4 Mishawaka by 18 Northridge by 3

Still do!

I second flat top

I think it's close

I think Harrells 7 point spread is going to be a lot closer than the Ft Wayne media predictions I've seen of 18,24, and up margin of victory for Leo. We are still missing some difference making dudes, but we've been a different team with Gott at QB. We will have to play mistake free football to have a chance, and I think we will for the most part.

I should know better, I drive for the Amish in Middlebury/Shipshewana and routinely make trips to Grabill and that area 🤷🏻‍♂️

Great kid and player, his older brother was a baller for us too, before finishing his hs career back at Schoolcraft. Also as a side note, I was disappointed to learn that Ink Free News will no longer be having a sports section, they were a big source of my Warsaw news for all sports.

Right, I get it. I know there's a smaller community over there, should've worded it a little differently lol. My main takeaway is that Essenhaus is our tourist spot where everyone goes to spend a fortune on over priced Amish looking stuff. The food is decent but pricey, yet people still flock there. We have some truly authentic Amish places that have amazing food and people, but not nearly as flashy. Im sure they have those types of places over their way as well. I second Evil Czech if you're looking for beer at a place you can't find everywhere else