Bonecrusher

3 hours ago, BTF said:

Agree. Maybe a little less comical then Dwenger ranking higher than North Side after just losing to them. 

To be fair, this is a "coaches poll." All these guys really know are their own teams and the ones they've played. I doubt they have too much time for research. 

Yuuup.  Was wondering about that myself.

New Haven (really struggling not to type Dekalb)

East Noble

Columbia City

Norwell

1 hour ago, Basementbias said:

This will probably be the last 2 years AC & SA will be in 1A together in awhile. SA is definitely deserving of being ranked, but probably not quite at 3 but I'd say no lower than 6th. I'm ready for them to be in separate classes and hope they stay so for a long time. I'll have family playing for South Adams in 5 years or so and continue to help AC in youth in a much more limited role than previous due to my stepchildren being at Crestview in Ohio. I'd love to see all 3 Adams County schools in separate classes and hopefully family or friends/neighbors playing at all 3 and they all be highly successful. I dream of an all Adams County Black Friday in Indianapolis (if IHSAA ever follows through with pairing teams in same area on same championship day). Then traveling to a local Ohio turf field for a Saturday state semifinal that Saturday after Michigan whoops Ohio State!

I'm 100% with you bro!  (Michigan whooping Ohio State) What I wouldn't give to see that.

Interesting chat regarding the SA ranking.  Seems AC has had their number as of late, but pretty much anyone on AC's schedule could say that.  FWIW from an outsider, I think SA is def worth being ranked in pre-season, maybe not top 3.  Somewhere in 5-10, absolutely.  Be interesting to see how it plays out. 

1 hour ago, jakone said:

Concordia at Snider

North Side at Carroll

Northrop at Wayne

South Side at Dwenger

Homestead at Luers

Ditto

Columbia City

East Noble

Dekalb

Norwell

Huntington North

Leo

Eastbrook

South Adams

Dwenger at North Side: DEWNGER

Luers at Wayne: WAYNE

Snider at Carroll: CARROLL

South Side at Northrop: NORTHROP

Homestead at Concordia: HOMESTEAD

22 hours ago, FlyingHigh said:

I expect Heritage to have a winning season and fully anticipate that they will win handily against Bellmont.

Hope you're right!

Adams Central

South Adams

Heritage 

Jay County

Eastside

Bluffton (have to pick one upset)

Fremont

Heritage.  Being an alum, would love to see them turn the corner and have a strong winning season

Columbia City

Dekalb

Eastbrook, won't even be close.

Leo in a squeaker.

New Haven

Norwell by several scores.

East Noble

14 minutes ago, hhpatriot04 said:

Florida behind Indiana in football? 

In girls basketball. They lose a lot of players to soccer in winter.

1 hour ago, crimsonace1 said:

When I coached girls hoops, we took our team to Anderson University for a one-day shootout, and one of the teams we played was from Florida (coached by a former New Castle coach who was bringing his team north for some competition). They were a school of 3,000 students and had gone something like 16-5 the year before, but were at about the level of an average 2A/small 3A team here. Their coach told us the coaching is about a decade behind where we are in Florida and basketball just isn't a big deal (soccer is a winter sport there and they lose a lot of girls to that sport). 

I stand corrected re. FL round ball. Def looks like a regional thing.

.

58 minutes ago, Frozen Tundra said:

@Bonecrusher @foxbat

I really appreciate your perspectives. It’s quite eye-opening to read your posts. As a lifelong Hoosier and one that prefers basketball over other sports, it’s surprising to me that basketball is seen there as a tertiary sport. I know I’m just a product of my environment but I was always under the impression that football and basketball were looked at as the two biggest sports across this country. With as many pro baseball players as Texas churns out, I guess it does make sense that baseball is held in higher regard there than basketball.

It was surprising to me,  as well, when we moved from IN to TX 16 years ago. Couldn't comprehend the low regard for basketball at first, but it is what it is.

I would imagine it's the same in most of the deep south, with maybe Florida being an exception, regarding round ball. Seems like they appreciate it a little more over there (FL).

Carroll at Luers: Carroll by 2 TD's.

Concordia at South Side: Cadets by 3-4 TD's.

North Side at Snider: tough to call, Snider pulls out a 7 point (or less) win.

Northrop at Homestead:  Spartans by 3 scores.

Wayne at Dwenger:  Another difficult pick.  Sticking with the c.y.o. by a TD (maybe 2 TD's).

2 hours ago, Frozen Tundra said:

I’m by no means advocating a change. I just think it’s a good thing to evaluate our system and compare it with others. Do we do it better? Can we make it better? When I look at how late football runs in some states (i.e. Texas), I’m stunned because I don’t see how that’s possible from a winter sports aspect. Maybe it somehow does work there. It wouldn’t work here though.

Personally, I like Indiana how it is. If I had to make a change, the only thing I’d change is getting rid of the scrimmage week and making it a tenth regular season game. However, that’s just my perspective as an outsider. I wasn’t able to play high school football so I don’t know if it’s even feasible.

The winter sports scene here isn't nearly what it is up there.  From what I have seen there is a round ball contingent in the larger metro areas, and even in some of the big schools where I live (Waco area), but their popularity overall does not hold a candle to football and baseball, the #1 & #2 boys HS sports in TX.  At my kids school, basketball was viewed by most as a tool for maintaining conditioning between football & baseball/track, which IIRC start practicing in Feb.  Heck, there's not a school in this area that even offers wrestling!  Also, if I'm not mistaken there is an overlap in seasons.  My youngest graduated in 2018 so I'm starting to forget some of these details.

My perspective comes from small/medium sized school experiences.  @foxbat might be able to provide a better read on the large school winter sports scene, having lived in the Houston area IIRC.

23 hours ago, BTF said:

No team from Fort Wayne........even funnier.

That was my first observation, as well, regarding FW area teams or the lack thereof.

On 7/20/2022 at 7:59 AM, Impartial_Observer said:

I think it’s safe to say, as details come out, this young man, pulled off some Dirty Harry level stuff. 
Had little to no cover when the shooter started. 
Engaged the shooter starting at about 40 yards 

Continued to close the distance between him and the shooter again, with little to no cover AND way out gunned. 

Hit the shooter eight times out of 10 rounds fired. 

Cleared bystanders while engaged with the shooter. 
 

•••OPINION***
This young man, was in the right place at the right time and willing and able to do what had to be done. With NONE of the training, experience, firepower, and resources that the officers in Uvalde had. 
 

This shooting has illuminated several points central to the firearm debate in this country. 
Laws/policies will be ignored. 
The ability to defend oneself is a fundamental right that should not be infringed. 
Hitting an astounding 80% of shots taken, the hero fired his gun 10 times to stop the shooter. What if there were two shooters? What if he was wearing body armor? What if he only hit him two out of ten times? 10 round capacity mag laws only inhibit law abiding citizens from defending yourself. If you want a “why” this is pretty conclusive. 
This was over in 15 seconds. Think about that very carefully, hundreds of lives were altered/ended by an event that last 15 seconds. Imagine your 22 year old self standing in line with your girlfriend to get a cookie…….

Spot on.

On 7/20/2022 at 9:03 AM, swordfish said:

SF has many years of handgun practice, and being proficient, even I question my ability to engage a rifle shooter with a handgun from 30-40 yards.  I guess you never know unless you are actually forced into that situation.  All I know is I can hit a target pretty effectively at about 20 - 30 feet, but next time at the range I'll move the target to 40 yards and see if I can even hit the paper........

I've thought of doing this myself.  The only thing stopping me is how embarrassed I'll be when my buddies see a clean sheet after emptying the magazine.

On 8/1/2022 at 7:59 AM, swordfish said:

https://nypost.com/2022/07/31/a-democrat-thinks-biden-should-resign-before-the-midterms/

On March 9, 2020, Joe Biden — then the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee — described himself as “a bridge” to a new generation of Democratic leaders who are “the future of this country.”

As we approach the halfway point in President Biden’s first term, it’s clear the time has come for him to embrace his place in history as a transitional president and resign gracefully.

Biden faces record-low approval ratings, an impending red-wave midterm election, renewed concerns about his physical health and cognitive fitness, a failed domestic agenda with no path forward and glaring foreign-policy mistakes. If Republicans capture Congress, he’ll also face questions he can’t answer on his involvement in his son Hunter’s lucrative foreign business.

As a loyal Democrat, I don’t intend to criticize the character or integrity of Biden — for whom I voted on 2012’s ticket — and I recognize his presidency has had a few successes. His administration deserves credit for the rapid distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, which helped pull the country out of the pandemic’s worst days. Biden also signed two bipartisan reforms into law: a significant investment in America’s infrastructure and an unprecedented gun-safety bill.

But Biden hasn’t done what he was elected to do: heal America after years of polarization and division. That healing process failed in large measure because of his team’s inability to pursue an inclusive agenda.

Biden’s put the Democratic Party on track for a disastrous midterm election. He is widely blamed — and is in fact largely responsible — for the rampant spurt in inflation, which stands at 9.1% overall and 11.3% in wholesale prices, despite his efforts to fingers others such as Russian President Vladimir Putin.

There’s a reason Democrats avoid the subject of Biden on the campaign trail — he’s a drag on their electoral chances. Biden’s approval rating just reached a record-low 31%. Nearly two-thirds of Democrats (64%) would prefer he not seek reelection in 2024.

The president’s precipitous loss of support — even within his own party — has been driven in large part by voters’ concerns about his age and clear cognitive decline. A majority (53%) of Americans already had doubts about his physical fitness for office before his COVID-19 infection at age 79 renewed worries and yet another verbal gaffe — suggesting he has cancer — sent his communications team into damage control once again.

But beyond his physical and mental fitness, Biden’s proven throughout his tenure that he’s unable to effectively lead his party and country, both at home and abroad.

The president’s signature piece of legislation — his Build Back Better plan — will go down in history as a fiasco. Biden remained singularly focused on advancing this so-called transformational bill last year, often while ignoring the larger political forces at play vis-à-vis rising inflation, surging crime, the southern-border crisis and frustrations about COVID-19 mandates.

And since Build Back Better’s failure, the Biden administration — and national Democrats — has yet to propose a new agenda for the country that is anything more than a knee-jerk reaction to the right’s extreme positions on social issues.

Biden’s also been an inadequate commander in chief. Last August, he oversaw US troops’ withdrawal from Afghanistan, which was, simply put, an unmitigated disaster. That embarrassment led America’s allies to question our word, further destabilized the Middle East, gave Putin the reassurance he needed to invade Ukraine and jeopardized Taiwan.

Unfortunately, Biden’s recent Middle East trip underscored his inability to project American leadership internationally. He failed to pressure Tehran to slow its nuclear program and secure allies to counter Russia’s and China’s influence in the region. Though Biden acted eerily cordial with the Saudi crown prince, he couldn’t persuade the Saudis to increase their oil production.

Biden has clearly lost his ability to govern — just as United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson did. The time has come for Biden to follow Johnson’s lead and step aside.

With the revelations about Hunter Biden’s contacts with his vice-president father giving the lie to Joe’s claims he never discussed Hunter’s business, it’s virtually certain there’ll be congressional investigations should Republicans win one or more chambers in November — making it even more difficult for the president to govern effectively.

For his party and his country, President Biden should step down before the midterms and give Vice President Kamala Harris a chance to lead.

While Harris unquestionably has political vulnerabilities of her own, Biden passing the torch would provide a much-needed shot in the arm for the Democratic Party — which claims to represent Americans of all classes and creeds yet still has three old, white leaders at the helm: Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

As a young person of color — who would be the first female commander-in-chief — a President Harris could help shore up enthusiasm among the Democratic base and bolster the party’s midterm chances, especially given the energy surrounding women’s rights following the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade. And elevating Harris now would have the added benefit of allowing party leaders and activists to assess whether she’s a viable option as the 2024 nominee.

President Biden has served America admirably for nearly six decades. Now, as his final act of service to his party and to his country, he should gracefully resign and help usher in a new generation of Democratic leadership.

 

Trouble in the ranks?  Or just a part of the plan?

 

Well written and thought out.

But the thought of Mrs. Word Salad taking over in the oval office?  No thanks, I'll put up with "the devil I know" for a few more years.

1 hour ago, temptation said:

Out of sight, out of mind.

Exactly.  This is why I have no issues with bussing illegals to DC/NY/etc.  Now the situation is on their front doorstep as well.  Let's see how they like it: apparently not so much.

On 8/5/2022 at 9:18 AM, swordfish said:

https://nypost.com/2022/08/05/first-bus-of-migrants-from-texas-arrives-in-nyc-abbott-says/

“With pledges from Texas and Arizona to continue these abhorrent operations indefinitely, the situation is dire,” the mayor added, “and we consider this a humanitarian crisis – one that could overwhelm our social support network without immediate and sustained federal intervention.”

SF wonders if these mayors in DC & NYC realize the slam of humanity that is at the border cities resulting from the BIden administration's open border policy/invitation.  6100 immigrants have been sent to DC (a "Sanctuary city" mind you) since April, now the first busload arrives in NYC (another "sanctuary city) and the Mayor cries foul and calls the practice "abhorrent".  SF thinks these liberal mayors should probably get used to it.....

 

Agreed. Mr. Mayor should come down here to Texas if he really wants something cry foul about.  Part of the "It's all OK as long as not in my back yard" crowd.  A dose of reality about this whole situation would change a lot of minds.

1 hour ago, Oldschool said:

They are to wrap up and not take to the ground to prevent injuries 

OK, thanks.  You learn something every day.

On 7/28/2022 at 7:28 PM, Oldschool said:

2 weeks till scrimmages for real!  Can’t wait!  How’d everyone thud scrimmages go?  Triton looked good against Wabash but hard to tell when whistles blow so fast!

What's a "thud" scrimmage?  Not familiar with that term.

On 8/2/2022 at 10:58 AM, Gipper said:

If Ohio jumped off of a bridge, would you jump, too?

Apologies for the thread drift, but curiosity got the better of me.  Found an article from Oct 2021, https://thedatajocks.com/best-states-for-high-school-football/ that used D1 scholarships per million residents as the measuring stick.  They are: 1.MIssissippi  2. Kansas  3. D.C.  4. Georgia  5. Bama  6. Florida  7. Texas  8. California          Bottom five from same article: 47. N. Dakota  48. Rhode Island   49. Montana  50. Maine   51. Vermont.

Interesting read.  Something different than what I usually look at for rankings (Maxpreps, Calprep, football forums😉).

I would have bet money that Ohio's in that top eight.  For me the big five have been: Cali, Texas, Florida, Ohio & Bama, in no particular order.  But I digress.... Back to the topic at hand.

Neutral sites were one of the perks for my kids when in HS football.  2A here don't have an over abundance of top-level facilities, plenty of nice ones but most are nothing like the 4A/5A/6A.  Kids always were up to play on a really nice field in a really nice stadium.

I am firmly behind neutral sites for post season.

2 hours ago, Basementbias said:

Why can't we let kids be kids? I can see participation numbers becoming a problem in the future. I can also see multi sport athletes feeling pinched and becoming individualized athletes. Both trends that aren't needed. When do kids have time to be with friends or make $ to save up for a car? I can see having some team workouts and lifting. However the 7 on 7s and 11 on 11s seem to be overkill. As has been mentioned, no one wins anything of importance and it doesn't equate to postseason awards all the time. This is something the IHSAA needs to limit or just eradicate in my opinion.

Excellent points.  When I was in HS, we would get together June/July on Saturday's and play barnyard football (touch, not tackle).  Let the linemen go out for passes now & then, change things up a bit.  It was fun and we got used to playing in the heat.  A fair amount of our players lived on farms and didn't have the time to go to camps/OTA's throughout the summer, but they could talk dad into letting them go for a few hours once a week, to maintain some fitness for 2-a-days.  Lots of us also had jobs, and it's easier to schedule one day off than multiple.  If I wanted to have/maintain a vehicle, I had to provide the funds myself - for the most part, and so did most of the kids in my class.  But it was the 80's and we weren't a super strong football program back then, so there's that.

I agree it's beginning to get out of control.

On 7/6/2022 at 3:42 PM, Basementbias said:

Interesting perspective of SW, as when I played and growing up before that, they were one of the best teams in the conference. Those games were always toss ups between AC. Heritage was usually a loss on the schedule as well with some hard fought battles. I remember those 05 & 06 games getting beat but then winning in 07 & 08. 

My frame of reference is mostly the mid-late 80's vs. the early 2000's for you.  That could be the reason for our differing takes on SW.  I graduated in 86 and IIRC they were a pretty easy win for us but that was almost 40 years ago.  The wife graduated SW in 88, and I remember her telling me (I forget which year) they went several games into the season before they scored a TD.  They had some good years after that, no argument there, but "overall" never seemed to me like a community that really caught that football "bug".  Similar to Heritage, who I would say was/is not a football school either.  Haven't followed it as close since moving out of state, so could be I was out of the loop at that point.  We were gone in the 2000's and looks to be the time frame you're working with, so yeah they could have had some good years then that I wasn't aware of.

I remember AC was always a tough opponent back then.  My freshman year, AC's O-line was significantly smaller than our D-line & backers.  We thought "we got this no problem".  Those little guys dove at our front 8 all game, cut their legs out from underneath.  Man it was ugly!  I think we lost by a few scores. Those AC running backs tor us up.  We had not practiced against that before.

Regardless of how we see it, hope some of these other ACAC teams can find something and make that conference legit again.