RetiredSouthernCoach

Good Information here. I'd say Whiteland is still the team to beat with their program success and consistency. Decatur Central being a year older will be troublesome for the conference. Plainfield is a growing community and program, and could take that next step soon. How does Perry and Greenwood progress forward? What does Franklin look like after last years good year? Can Mooresville use the conference play to prepare them to make a deep 4a run? Does Martinsville keep up the success with another high powered passing attack? Mid-State should be a fun conference to follow again in 2023!

What does Clarksville have coming back? Their schedule does look more program friendly without that conference full slated on there. Does Clarksville have enough there to attract a younger up and coming coach looking for an opportunity?

Read in Columbus paper that one of their Football Coaches is taking over as Athletic Director this summer. That can only be good for that program I am sure.

AC Stevens is back now? My cousin's kid goes to DC and told us he had actually quit the team a while back? For Franklin, the Johnson County paper said their older QB got hurt in sectional game last week. Know that they have played two QBs this year, so not sure what that does to them for Whiteland and who is playing.

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.

Read in the papers last two weeks that Greenwood's Coach Campbell and Plainfield's Coach Woodard are both retiring at seasons end. Always interesting to see when Coaches decide to retire and when to let the team/school know. Both of these seem to be announced prior to the season, so was curious if there were others like this around the state right now?

Will the Whiteland - Decatur game have a large impact on conference champion? I think this year with how tough the mid state potentially is, that you could win conference title with 1 loss.

There are large housing areas being put in all over Hancock county, so I could forsee all 3, New Pal, Greenfield, and Mt Vernon all finding their way into 5A enrollment status in the next 6 years or so. Appears many families are leaving the city areas and moving to neighboring counties to raise their families, which will only grow those student enrollments.

I'm new to the site and new to the Columbus area after living near the Indianapolis area. I've enjoyed reading through all the takes on the conference teams in this southern area. Keep up the good conversation! With the East program, I cant imagine how hard it must be for Coach Vogell to follow a legend in Gaddis. Being measured up to that every Friday is tough. I've always felt you want to be the coach that follows the coach after the legend, so the next East coach, when you look at these big time programs. Is there any hope for East to get things turned around and back to a top ten level? Have they just lost coaches/coordinators that were pieces of the puzzle? Vogel sounds like a lifer there at East, so hoping they can get it going.