First_Backer_Inside

3 minutes ago, MarshallCounty said:

Is Rochester a paper tiger? Area teams are not as good as they once were.

I don't think so, but it could go either way for them. I think you could make the same argument for LCC as well. Both have beaten who they are supposed to and lost to who they were supposed to. At the time, losing to Peru seemed like a pretty bad loss, but Peru just played Guerin for all 4 quarters and only lost by a touchdown. The only other loss was to Valley and I'm sure you saw first hand the difficulty of a 2A roster trying to matchup with Valley. I don't think their best player even played in the Bremen game. You are definitely correct with area teams being down such as Northfield and Southwood that usually are very tough, but Rochester also beat a Cass team that while they aren't great, are easily in the top half of 2A teams this year. They also handily beat a Maconaquah team that isn't great on defense, but has a very explosive offense that scored 42 in one quarter the other night and Rochester held them to 14 points. I think Rochester had a more consistent team last year, but I think when both are playing their best football, this years team is much better.

15 hours ago, jakone said:

The Luers team two years ago would beat this years team by 35 points and that team didn't make it out of the sectionals. 

That was quite the Eastside team they ran into that year if I'm not mistaken. I think they will make it out of their sectional this year. Just not sure they have what it takes to go much further than that.

5 hours ago, FinePrint said:

I think Sagarin is pretty accurate by this point in the season.  It's interesting to see that Knox is #4 in 3A, even with their weak schedule (for 3A teams).  West Noble is #15.  WN had to come from behind last Friday to beat Marian.  Knox handled Lakeland easily.  I'm hoping Knox has another good showing this week.  If so, they should take care of business.

I don't know man, I still don't think Sagarin is quite right. Knox might be the #4 best team alive in 3A but they aren't the #4 best in 3A as a whole this year. Heck Sagarin has them as the #38 team in the state. I'm telling you right now there are more than 37 teams in the state of Indiana that can beat Knox right now. This isn't a knock on Knox (even tho it sure as heck sounds like it as I'm rereading it), but I just don't think Sagarin is something that I trust as far as what a team is ranked or whether or not they will win the game or not.

On 10/16/2023 at 1:55 PM, Tippy said:

I think you are right on the money.  The winner of Rochester/LCC has a great shot to make it to semi state and will probably take on Luers.  Luers is getting better and played very well against Homestead.  I think the Rochester/LCC game will be a low scoring game, maybe 14-13 type of game.  Luers will probably make it to state and take on Triton Central or Mater Dei.  

The more I look at it, the more I think the North will be represented by Rochester/LCC/Laville with a possibility of Bluffton. I don't think Luers is as good as people think, and i think their record is very misleading. Luers got blown out by their two non-conference opponents on the schedule, not to say they weren't good teams, but they weren't even competitive. The Fort Wayne schools as a whole only beat each other without making much noise outside of Carroll and Snider outside of the conference. If you watch Luers play, outside of pretty good defense, there isn't any consistency in the offensive game plan, no identity from what I can see. Just athletes making some plays here and there and the further you get into the playoffs, the more athletes everyone has. I just don't think they are going to go as far as people think they are going to go. 

5 minutes ago, Komets2727 said:

Carroll 28 - Warsaw 14 - This game will be closer than most people think. Ball control, better known as Bart ball, will keep this a one score game for awhile

Fishers 35 - Homestead 17 - Sparty puts up a fight for awhile

HSE 63 - Northrop 0 - Slaughter from the beginning to the end

Snider 49 -Anderson 6 - Another wipeout though the Panthers will call off the dogs early in this one

Dwenger 35 - Dekalb 21 - Closer game than most expect

Luers 35 - Eastside 14 - Just don’t see the Blazers as a major threat in this one 

Probably said the same thing about Churubusco

20 minutes ago, Footballking16 said:

In Cathedral's 3 stints at the 6A level

2015: 2 OT loss to Avon in regional final

2016: Drubbing to eventual 6A champion Ben Davis in the regional who went 15-0 and arguably one of the best 6A teams ever

2022: Semi-state loss to eventual 6A Center Grove, a team they beat earlier in the season. Should be noted Cathedral avenged their only regular season loss to Brownsburg the round prior. 

Don't think depth has ever been the root of the problem. It certainly wasn't in 2015 and 2022 and nobody in 6A was touching that 2016 Ben Davis team. 

They might have been one of the best teams in the nation that year. So much talent and so fun to watch.

West Lafayette @ Rensselaer

Maconaquah @ Hamilton Heights

Rochester @ Central Catholic

Tipton @ Eastern

Brownsburg @ Ben Davis

Plainfield @ Harrison

Clinton Prairie @ North Vermillion

27 minutes ago, Donnie Baker said:

I’m ready for some more Cathedrals comments. I swear to God I am 

My momma said North Central already packed up all their practice gear and equipment. Swear to god she did!

On 10/21/2023 at 11:36 PM, foxbat said:

Attended the LCC game last night.  Metzger had 345 passing last night against Winamac.  Hit a lot of different guys and was dangerous in long ball plays.  I think LCC had at least three TDs on pass plays of 50 or more.  The thing of interest was that LCC seemed to be good at was not abandoning something that had promise.  They had a crossing play that misfired for the first 3-4 time they tried it.  Most teams would have given up after the first two times it didn't work.  Just when the fans were probably thinking that they would put that thing back in the play chest for another weekend ... BAM ... 6 points.  And it wasn't the first time it produced fruit last night.  Just to indicate that quick strike potential, first offensive play of the second half was a 65-yard pass to Clayton; sending the game to running clock.

If folks are expecting Rochester to only put up a couple of touchdowns, then Rochester will need an outstanding pass defense.  Prior to last night, LCC's putting up 32 passes a game with a 60%+ completion rate.  They put up about a TD every eight completions.  By contrast, Rochester's had 43 passing attempts for the whole year.  Rochester is the complete opposite of LCC with a huge running game; putting up about 40 running plays per game with a TD about every nine carries.  LCC's a bit off that mark on rushing putting up a TD about every 13 carries, but only running an average of 18 times a game.

LCC's three losses have all come against 3A teams: #7 in class Sagarin Guerin, #11 in class Sagarin Hamilton Heights, and #17 in class Sagarin West Lafayette.  All three advanced in their initial sectional game.  Rochester has two losses: #10 in class 3A Tipp Valley and #16 in class 3A Peru, who both lost their sectional contests last night in the Sectional of Death.  Guerin defeated Peru 27-19. 

Rochester averages 40 points a game, so they are more than capable of putting up more than just a few touchdowns. I understand the strength of schedule isn't great, but they scored 23 on a Peru defense that only allowed 27 against Guerin. Rochester also did it running the ball where Guerin did a lot of their damage through the air. As far as pass defense goes, they played a Maconaquah team that averages 271 passing yards a game and that had thrown for 28 touchdowns to just 14 points.

10 hours ago, dazed and confused said:

LCC vs Rochester has the makings of being a classic !

Peru gave Guerin a better game than LCC and they didn't beat the Zebras by much !

My oh my... who gonna come out on top !!!

On the right track here! About the only two comparisons you can make for the two teams is Lcc played Guerin and lost 27-3. Rochester played Peru and lost 34-23. Guerin beat Peru 27-19. Lcc played West Lafayette and lost 37-7. Rochester played Valley and lost 39-8. Valley beat West Lafayette 35-13. Both teams have beaten who they are supposed to and lost to who they are supposed to. Which team is going to win a 50-50 game that in my opinion neither team has had this year? It's going to come down to senior leadership, defensive execution, and who can win the turnover battle. Like you said should be a great game and in my opinion the game of the week in the 2A North.

18 hours ago, FinePrint said:

Harrell's Predictions for this week:

PREDICTION: Knox, 35-28.

PREDICTION: LaVille, 24-21.

PREDICTION: Central Catholic, 38-10.

PREDICTION: North Judson, 28-24.

PREDICTION: Triton, 59-0.

PREDICTION: South Central, 38-24.

PREDICTION: North White, 35-24.

Harrell has the HNAC going 4-4.

I think the HNAC will get 3 wins. I don't know about 4. I think the North Judson and Triton scores are pretty accurate. I think Knox will win by more than a touchdown. I just don't think Laville will pull it off. I think it will be close, but watching Andrean they still have a lot of talent there for 2A. Not enough to beat a lot of the teams on their schedule, but enough to still win their sectional and make a run in 2A. I think Laville will give them all they can handle with their QB play, but just not enough in my opinion. I hope I'm wrong because I would like to see Andrean knocked out of the 2A tournament for my Zebras sake, but not sure if it will happen.

2 minutes ago, foxbat said:

Sound strategy, but it amazes me how many teams break off from what is working in a game to what they had in their original plan.  Can't tell you how many teams I've seen have success with the run early, only to abandon it to go to the pass and then get themselves in trouble all of a sudden. 

Couldn't agree more, if it ain't broke don't try and fix it. If you only have to run 3 plays to win the game, then only run 3 plays to win that game. Coach Moriarty does a great job of this.

1 hour ago, Tin Cup said:

I bet there's a PP/Public thread for this argument.  Don't need 20 posts about Cathedral's enrollment in a Chatard-Tipp Valley thread.

 

What kind of offense does TV run?  Are they balanced or heavier in the run/pass?  

They will appear balanced, but they want to run the ball. They will line up in I-formation with a lead fullback at times, and other times they will come out in what looks like a wing-T formation. When they are feeling crazy they will line up in gun sometimes with their normal QB and other times with a wildcat kind of guy. Once they find something they like they will stay in it until you stop them tho. 

Does anyone close to Valley know if the Parker kid is playing or not? I assume he is, but he's been in a boot the last two games. The coaches son has also been out with a broken fibula. Two important players for the Vikings right there. If the Parker kid plays at full strength, I think Valley will hang with them for a while.

It seems like 3A just has to have a super loaded sectional somewhere in the North no matter who is in the class. Sectional 26 would have been loaded with good teams with the best one cruising to the state championship.

35 minutes ago, Tippy said:

Guerin Catholic might have something to say about this.  Chatard only beat them 13-7(OT) a few weeks ago.

#1 QB was injured in the first couple of plays. I don't think it will be as close if they meet to play one another again.

Evansville Mater Dei receiving votes with a record of 2-7 in 2A, c'mon man.

Mississinewa @ Western

Twin Lakes @ Boone Grove

River Forest @ West Lafayette

Rensselaer @ Griffith

Northwester @ Maconaquah

Hamilton Heights @ Oak Hill

Winamac @ Central Catholic

Benton Central @ Seeger

Blackford @ Tipton

Hobart @ New Prairie

Tri-Central @ Frontier

I have not seen a single 2A North sectional thread so I figured might as well just put them all together. 

This might be the most wide open the north has been in a few years without a clear front runner to represent the north at LOS. I think there are at least two teams in every sectional that have a pretty decent chance at being that team. Here is my pick for every sectional and who might give those picks problems on their way to claiming it. 

Sectional 33: I'm going to go with Andrean here. I wouldn't be surprised if Laville beats them, but I think Andrean has played a tough enough schedule they will be ready for the Lancers. I think the winner of that first round game will be the one that wins this sectional.

Sectional 34: LCC is the defending champ, so I think that makes them the favorite, but if anyone is going to knock them out of the playoffs in the sectional, it is probably going to have to be Rochester. Great game last year that was a lot closer than the score looks. I look for this years game to be a lot like it. Close all the way to the end.

Sectional 35: I think this one might be the easiest to pick. I think Luers walks through this one fairly easy. Eastside will give them the greatest fight, but I don't think it will be close when they meet. 

Sectional 36: I think this one could go one of three or four ways. I think Bluffton is probably the favorite, but Alexandria has been playing very good football from what i have heard the last couple of weeks. I think they are a contender. Hard to not say Eastbrook has a chance. Record isn't as great as in past years, but they have a history of being very good in the playoffs. I think the wild card in this sectional is Eastern. I don't think they have played a very tough schedule, but winning 7 games still isn't necessarily easy so I'd say they have a chance.

Would love to hear what other people think. Maybe a team I haven't followed that others think might have a chance to make some noise this playoffs.

29 minutes ago, MarshallCounty said:

 The theoretical 3A Sectional 26 seems like a lot of fun.

 

Valley would run through it easily.

Not to get off topic from the Jones injury, but did anyone watch the Laville and North Judson game in person? Was the officiating as bad as it looked? Multiple times I felt like Laville didn't have enough people on the line, looked like lots of confusion after calls, and sometimes calling something, moving the ball, and then moving it back. Clock running when it isn't supposed to, clock not running when it should be running. Tough to watch in a big game like that.

23 hours ago, FlyingHigh said:

Adams Central probably has the best chance of winning its sectional. We play SA in the first round and I don't see a chance for them to pay revenge to the Jets for the 2019 Regional upset. I do think that Southern Wells has a chance to win their first round game against North Miami. I don't think either of those two teams would have a chance against Madison-Grant, though. AC is likely on the road for at least a couple of weeks after the 1st round if they keep winning. If the Jets can get healthy, I don't think there's much of a chance for anyone to stop them from getting back to Lucas Oil. 

 

If anyone is gonna do it, I think its Carroll in the regional. I've said the last two years there will be a team that gives Adams Central a challenge in the playoffs and they prove me wrong every time, so I'm not gonna say Carroll can stop them. Just the team with the best chance to do so.

I think Knox and Laville could win their sectional, and then a toss up between Pioneer, North Judson, and Triton for their sectional.

Bowman @ Benton Central

Tipton @ Rensselaer

Northwestern @ Twin Lakes

Western @ Central Catholic

Hamilton Heights @ West Lafayette

Carroll @ Sheridan

Seeger @ North Vermillion

North White @ West Central

North Judson @ Pioneer

Bluffton @ Lakeland

1 minute ago, foxbat said:

Can you clarify?  Are you saying that p/p schools make the teams in those classes stronger or that p/p are strong in those classes ... and ultimately beyond their class ... so the class looks strong, but it's really just a p/p program giving the illusion of a strong class?

One implies that p/p helps to sharpen the sword and the other implies that p/p is the sword.  I tend to think of it as the former.

In a way both. I'll start with 1A and say LCC and Lutheran are very strong in 1A consistently. If you move both teams up to 2A, I think they make the class stronger. Same can be said about Andrean and Luers for 2A. I think both are strong in the class, but then when they move up they make 3A stronger, not necessarily strong in 3A. In 3A you have Chatard and Memorial(although Memorial is already in 4A), when in 3A very strong, in 4A make the class stronger. The problem in 4A is everything gets log jammed with the privates because they are all in the same sectional so they just beat each other and nobody moves up to 5A to make the class as a whole stronger.

So i guess in some cases p/p is the sword, but with success factor eventually find their place to sharpen the sword. You aren't getting that sword sharpening in 5A because Cathedral just ran through it in 2 years and went to 6A and none of the 4A's can make it there.

8 hours ago, Lysander said:

Why does only 5A lack those teams?  Almost every other class has them.  

 

I can give an answer, but some people aren't gonna like it.

How many private schools are there in 5A consistently? How many are there throughout 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A?

Don't get mad at me, just somethin my mama said!