roaringthunderdlr

1 hour ago, BTF said:

You're selling the Kingsman short. A "program", however you define it, is consistently good over a period of time. In my opinion, that period of time is three decades. I was going to eliminate some teams by adding regional and semi-state champions, but only ten teams popped up after the first round of research. 

What exactly is your criteria? Westfield over Carmel? That's a head scratcher for sure. 

A lot of it is past 2 years. But in that time Westfield with about 2800 students has done much more than Carmel with around 5400.

A school of 5400 or 4500 (BD) should constantly be in state contention every single year, yet there were multiple 6A’s (CG, Cathedral, Burg, HSE, Westfield, Carroll) that were better than both this year. So yes, Westfield currently has a better program than Carmel. And Penn has fallen recently. Undoubtedly a top 10 program of all time but far from top 10 currently.

Center Grove, Lutheran, Adams Central, East Central, Cathedral, Bishop Chatard, Roncalli, Mater Dei, Westfield, New Palestine are my 10. Don’t worry about order

2 hours ago, Boilernation said:

At this point it's safe to say the top team in the Mid-State would be a contender in 5A. I don't follow the Mid-State enough to know what everyone has returning. Why are you predicting a down year for the Conference? 

 

Whiteland losing top talent, Franklin losing top talent, Decatur was down last year, and Mooresville loses their QB. Decatur can be good like they have been in previous years, but the disastrous end of the year that they had makes me think otherwise. I suspect Mooresville and Martinsville will be fine as well, good in conference but no match for the best teams in 4A. It’s a reasonable prediction that every team in the MSC has at least three losses though. I think Plainfield is the best in the MSC this year, then Mooresville, then DC/Whiteland/Martinsville, and then Franklin, then Perry/Greenwood.

I feel like Plainfield is criminally underrated and needs to be in the discussion soon. A new era’s coming for the Quakers and first-year head coach Tyler Bless and they have 3 Division I prospects to go along with an experienced QB, momentum, and a down year in the Mid State. Plainfield can easily beat Decatur and/or Harrison in the sectional like they did last year and a run to Lucas Oil is possible.

On 4/28/2023 at 8:17 PM, Basementbias said:

Might want to go Luers vs Marion Local even. 

Marion Local vs Adams Central would be intriguing.

Take Plainfield and put us on that Southside conference.

This is the year, Quakers.

Class of 2025 is VERY good and Class of 2024 has some dogs in there was well.

5A is weak for another year, Whiteland loses 30 seniors, Mooresville loses Patterson, Franklin loses Max Clark, and Decatur had a down year.

Plainfield has no excuse to underperform.

On 12/21/2022 at 9:56 AM, Cappy said:

Unless something has changed Tecumseh is back to being a full member of the PAC next year, they will join the small school division. Below is Tecumseh's schedule per John Harrell, SR has not been playing Tecumseh but is next year as a small school conference opponent. JH's site does not show Tecumseh as a conference member yet but I'm certain next year is the year they rejoin.  Mt. Vernon (Big Division) schedule is also on JH's site and does not include SR.

Why do teams willingly schedule OPH again? It's like playing Dugger. Running clock at halftime every week.

We made it out of Sectional 13, boys. Plainfield made the key plays when it mattered in both games and won their sectional for the first time since their State loss in 2000; the year they pulled a massive upset over an undefeated Cathedral team. Now, they have to go on the road to play (in my opinion) the best team in all of 5A. 

A few weeks ago, Whiteland went on the road and spoiled Plainfield's senior night by a score of 45-14. They just dominated the second best Mid-State team, Franklin, by a score of 24-0. The factor that interests me, however, is both teams' performance on the road against Martinsville. Whiteland went on the road and got dominated by the Artesians. Plainfield went on the road and beat them.

In my eyes, there is a chance. Anything could happen in the playoffs (see: Northridge, Monrovia). However, the chance is miniscule at best. Whiteland realizes that their State Championship window is closing fast, and they will play like it. They will be moved up to 6A very soon and will not be able to compete immediately against the likes of Center Grove, Brownsburg, and Cathedral barring any miracles.

The winner of this game will face the winner of Bloomington South and Castle. Bloomington South dominated Conference Indiana this year, and is 9-1 with a loss to the aforementioned Artesians. Castle lost to all of the good teams in their conference, including 2A Evansville Mater Dei.

Overall, Plainfield needs to play a near-perfect game in order to keep it close against Whiteland and will need to rely on the clutch moments that they've provided throughout the season in order to win late. I will be at that game, and I hope that those Quakers can pull it out.

Lemme take Miners 35-14

28 minutes ago, RetiredSouthernCoach said:

I've watched pretty much all of these 5A south teams play this year that you dont speak very highly of. While I get your doubt based on history, and the fact that there are no New Pal like teams catching headlines in the Southern Bracket, there are some really good football teams in 5A south that could have success any year, not just in a year like this when the South is considered open. Having seen a few mid-state games this year, I can assure you that Plainfield is better than their record indicates. A combination of late transfers and injuries have their record blemished, but I would not be surprised to see them have some success in the tournament. The same can be said for Decatur Central. INjuries and youth make their record look unlike years past, but no one wants to see them in the tournament. Your remarks about Franklin Community seem odd, when just a few years ago they were in a top 5 discussion in a loaded 5A. Their coach seems to have figured out what works there and they have some solid players. Whiteland should be the favorite in the 5A south based on their regular season performances. THe remark about never winning a big game..... well how many other programs can say they win the "big game" against Cathedral, that seemed to be their hurdle most years in 5A tournament. For the 5A north, does anyone really have a chance at beating Snider, Merriville or Mishawaka? From an outside eye it doesnt appear so. Basically to sum all of this up, I wouldnt say there is this big collapse in 5A. I would just say the impact of Cathedral and New Pal being out of 5A (where they typically dominate the field) and the fact that Columbus East is down, allows for a lot of good football teams to have a really competitive tournament. From a fans perspective, id say its nice to see the 5A class truly open to a group of teams rather than hanging their hat on the 1 team that no one can touch. Just my thoughts and perspective since you appeared to not have seen many of the South teams play this year. 

I agree with Plainfield being better than their record indicates and I have faith in the new staff to get the ship rolling. The town of Plainfield has the athletes. For example, the middle school/freshman football teams usually perform well, boys track just won state, and boys basketball went to the regional in 2021. However, Plainfield varsity football has been mediocre for the most part. We needed some fresh blood in there in order to get the ship rolling, and I'm glad we have it. Plainfield is a program with high upside, and can be scary in a few years if all goes well.

Franklin Community has the #1 baseball player in the NATION on their football team. Max Clark is a supremely talented athlete and has elevated that program. I went to the Franklin at Plainfield game last year and the Vandy baseball commit made the secondary look like burnt toast. I don't know if Franklin, who has had 2 winning seasons (2019, 2022) since 1995, can consistently perform at a high level.

57 minutes ago, foxbat said:

I suspect that DC will have no issue with McCutcheon.  If they do, then the winner of Plainfield-Harrison will easily take the sectional title.

I'm looking forward to the rematch with Plainfield.  Should be a good measuring stick for Harrison to see how far they've come.

Harrison came out of the gate shaky this season.  I think in that first game with Plainfield, Harrison was still a bit shell-shocked from the previous week against West Lafayette at LOS.  They played well against WL, but gave up 3-4 turnovers in the second half alone ... you can't afford to spot WL 3-4 possessions.  Since then, they've gotten tighter although, as I posted in another thread, they still have a propensity to put the ball on the carpet at inopportune times.  Harrison had a clean game against Jeff with no turnovers; scoring on every possession except for two ... the last minute or so of the game when they sat on the clock after a pick for the win and the last 30 seconds or so of the first half after a Jeff kickoff.

At the beginning of the season, the conventional wisdom, and odds-makers, had Harrison as a two TD underdog to Decatur Central.  I think the odds now have them favored over DC.  I suspect that Plainfield is also favored over DC now at this point of the season too.  As I said, I'm looking forward to this re-match to see whether Harrison really has come along in their progress.  Likewise, I'm curious to see how Plainfield has improved too.  I thought they played a good first game.

Both teams have undeniably gotten better throughout the season. I worry about Harrison's schedule though. Jefferson was a great win for Harrison, but Marion, McCutcheon, Anderson, Tech, and Richmond are, no offense, truly terrible teams. I think Plainfield's worst win, Greenwood, beats all of these teams (close over McCutcheon, blowout over rest). Plainfield is undeniably more battle-tested than Harrison and it could play to a possible Quaker advantage next week. Plainfield's victory over Decatur looked good at the time. It was a clean ball game for the most part and it made homecoming much sweeter. However, as Decatur worsens (they lost to Perry Meridian), the win doesn't look as good. If I had to make a chart of each teams win based on strength, I think it would go like this:

Great Wins: Harrison over Jefferson

Good Wins: Plainfield over Martinsville

Decent Wins: Plainfield over Decatur, Plainfield over Perry, Harrison over Logansport, Harrison over Plainfield

Easy Wins: Plainfield over Greenwood, Harrison over McCutcheon

Weenie Hut Jr's: Harrison over Marion, Tech, Anderson, Richmond

The game in Lafayette should be a good one. Harrison (8-1) has a better record but Plainfield (4-5) has a better SoS and is coming off of a good comeback win against Martinsville. Harrison won the first meeting at home 22-14.

The game back home in Indy, however, could get ugly. Decatur Central (3-6) has been playing poorly as of late but should get an easy win over McCutcheon (3-6).

Thoughts on this sectional?

18 hours ago, Bears62 said:

This is true, but Whiteland also lost to Martinsville. Martinsville lost to both Plainfield and Decatur Central, who are not good. I watched the Martinsville and Decatur Central game this year and honestly both teams were super underwhelming. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw that Martinsville somehow beat Whiteland by multiple scores.

Though I must say Whiteland’s win over Lawrence North is more impressive than Harrison’s best win which was at Jeff.

Martinsville's homecoming may have played a part. Whiteland wins that game 8 or 9 times out of ten.

25 minutes ago, EaglesFan1964 said:

Ouch...

Danville's offense has significantly underperformed all season long. They are averaging 21 points per game.. but have only scored over 21 points TWICE! Once vs....Crawfordsville. And once against....Frankfort. 😴  5 times this season they have scored 14 points or less. 

Their defense has been fine but weird year for Danville altogether. They struggled mightily, uncharacteristically, to the Montgomery County teams other than Crawfordsville. Upset win over Lebanon was the highlight of the season and they were close to beating Tri-West too.

10 hours ago, Piratefan101 said:

I’m don’t think whiteland will make noise they seem to basic 

Just a safe pick but 5A is admittedly in the air. Imho Snider, Whiteland, Franklin, Merrillville, North Side all have a chance and there are probably a few others too. 5A and 2A are hardest to predict.

10 hours ago, foxbat said:

Having seen both Harrison and Whiteland, what's your assessment there?

Harrison escaped Plainfield at home while Whiteland went into Plainfield's senior night and kicked ass.

North Montgomery 8, Danville 6. Thoughts?

Gimme

CG, Whiteland, New Pal, Chatard, Linton, and Lutheran as State Champions this year.

2 minutes ago, BTF said:

Link?

 

https://www.ihsaatv.org/?B=418073

Brownsburg 21 HSE 14. Trying to enjoy that game but the commentator on the HSE livestream is AWFUL. So monotone

On 10/8/2022 at 7:49 PM, Yuccaguy said:

Could be.  But that doesn't mean that FW hasn't made strides in their ability to be a force within their respective Classes.  

The top of the SAC is a force.  Then there is Luers in 2A.  I have faith that ALL will be fine (though not a State Finalist) in 2022

Welp Luers has to get past Eastside first...

I get it. Enrollment, geography, randomization... I get it. I am still wondering though how Roncalli and Shortridge are going to be allowed on the same playing field in two weeks.

The predictor has Roncalli as a 78.5 point favorite without homefield advantage (game is at Shortridge).

I have always been fascinated by blowouts, especially in high school football, and I am sure many of you are too. I would love to hear feedback on this topic.

18 hours ago, Tippy said:

Owen Valley - In 2018 they were 0-10 and 2019 they were 1-9, but this year it looks like they will be 9-0.  OH MY!  Good job Rob Gibson!

 

Elwood -  They weren't always bad.  Elwood had some good teams in the late 1980's.  In 1950 they were a top 20 team and gave 8-1 West Lafayette a good game that year.  This year Frankton beat them 84-12 and Eastbrook beat them 83-0.  Madison-Grant and Tipton scored 69 on them. Elwood still has to play Oak Hill on October 14.  OH MY!
 

Do you think Oak Hill should sit the starters against Elwood to rest them for the playoff? If not, then that game is on 100 watch.

Personally I'm going to go with Southmont. A 6-0 start for them and a win over Danville was largely unexpected and it looks like they're closing the gap with Sagamore's "Big 4" somewhat.