Trojan67

What's the take on North Vermillion? @Donnie Baker didnt you have to hide a boat down around there?

I don't think it has anything to do with Triton becoming a football school. I think it is more culture shock. People find it easy to cast doubt when there has been lack of success. Looking at the road ahead, I just feel like this is a different team than what I have seen in years past.

Kinda the point of my post, but also calling out the doubt because for some in the Triton community, it is all about gearing up for boys basketball.

Love the optimism @FinePrint, but I am inclined to disagree with you. 3 things that I have noticed about the Jays over the last 3 weeks compared to Triton. 1. Jays kicking game vs Triton's kicking. Triton takes the field position game, extra point game, and fg game all day. Field position will be the biggest factor in this game and the disadvantage is Judson. 2. Judson's offense vs Triton's offense. Judson has shown inconsistencies in the pass game all season. Understanding they are a run first team, the passing game has been has been throw the deep ball and pray that the receiver catches the ball. Triton has shown way more balance in both the running and passing game all season. 3. Defensively both teams have played lights out the last few weeks, no doubt. Unfortunately, I don't know how a 1 dimensional team can stop balance. Unless something dramatic happens where turnovers are a problem, I feel like this game absolutely goes to Triton. The score maybe different, but I don't think it will be that much different.

Glenn at Knox The Falcons have been a mystery this year. They have had a couple of games that have been head scratchers, but nonetheless, this game should be better than the last. Knox was tested pretty well against West Noble. I am interested to see how healthy they are after that test. I can see it going either way, but ultimately, Knox is the better of the 2 teams. Knox 35 Glenn 31 Bremen at LaVille You know how that Pioneer's field is called "The Pit" and that it was notoriously known for being one of the worst fields in the state? Yeah. Lancer Field should take the #1 one spot. Both teams are going to be impacted by the poor field conditions. I am not sure if they are considering moving to Plymouth or someplace like that, but I can only imagine that LaVille's field is going to be like walking into a quick sand pit after all of the rain we have had and potentially will have more at some point this week. Either way, I think Bremen will be more affected by the conditions of the field which makes LaVille's chances better. LaVille 21 Bremen 18 North Judson at Triton I have always thought that after the first couple of years between these 2 teams that this game would turn into a really good rivalry. Both teams have played each other 11 times over the last 8 years and will be the second sectional championship game between the 2. I think the 2 key difference between these 2 teams is depth and speed. That was what I noticed in the first matchup. It seemed like Triton was able to sub guys out a little more. I know the passing game also was huge for Triton in their win, but being able sub is a blessing the Trojans have over the Jays. Triton's field should be in pretty good shape. Fireworks will be booming after the game. Triton 42 Judson 21

SB Tribune had a live update last night on this game. Sounded like it was back and forth in the 4th and a turnover killed Marian's momentum. https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2023/10/20/live-updates-ihsaa-football-sectional-games-south-bend-area-paw-paw-niles-michigan/71196382007/

Looking at the HNAC sectional schedule, 3 or 4 games that I think most of all of us are going probably going to be intrigued by. Knox at Lakeland Lakeland seemed like they started the season off pretty strong. The loss to Garrett, if I am not mistaken, is a pretty big rivalry, and was a bad loss, tough loss against West Noble, and a bad loss to Blufton on a rainy night. I think consistency is going to be the key for this game. Knox has shown consistency throughout the season. Knox did what they should have against the formidable and smaller schools. Knox's 3 back look is a killer and keeps defenses guessing. Knox 42 Lakeland 28 Andrean and LaVille Don't let the 59er's record deceive you. Although they are down this year, their schedule has been brutal playing 3A Chatard, 5A Merriville, 5A Valpo, and other very quality opponents. I think the speed they have played in their opponents only helps them. The Lancer's have a bad taste in their mouth and it has been heard that all they want is to get back at this team. LaVille has to play perfect and fast because Andrean will take advantage if LaVille has a slow start. I am confident that the Lancers can stand tall, but one turnover could be the end of their season. Laville 24 Andrean 21 Winamac at LCC Winamac should stand tall and keep their heads up. They went through a lot of changes over the season and had a lot of growing pains. They finally put some things together, but they just do not have enough to contend with LCC. LCC 49 Winamac 0 Culver at South Central This game is kinda interesting to me from the standpoint that the first matchup was 44-22. I think Culver could keep it interesting, but in the same token, I just don't think they have the fire power and unfortunately that hurts the Cavs. I don't know how much South Central has improved, but they should really use this game to fine tune their blocking in both the passing and running game. I don't think they can afford to have their QB running all over the field on top of the running backs having no where to go. SCUM 35 Culver 22 Caston at North White 100% giving this game to the underdogs. 14-6 last meeting. Caston is grinding their teeth this week. Caston 20 North White 14 Pioneer at North Judson This game is a hard pick. I said it above and will say I again, Pioneer has to play perfect. Playing at Liberty Field is already tough enough and Pioneer has to have that killer mentality. Judson has the bragging rights right now, but they have to stay humble. I am fifty, but looking at the situation, here is my pick. Judson 21 Pioneer 20 South Newton 42 Bowman 12 Triton at North Newton Triton will be on the road longer than actually playing the game (almost 4 total hours of driving Friday). It is a long a road, but the Trojans mean business because it is their time to shine. Triton 56 NN 0

Culver at LaVille Not a whole lot to say about this matchup. I think for the Lancers they need to keep guys healthy. Lancer Field's drainage sucks and is going to be a mess. Work the younger guys in and keep varsity guys healthy. Lancers 42 Culver 0 Knox at Caston I have been impressed with Caston all season. I wish they had a few more guys around them because they have a ton of heart and have played tough all season. I have said from the beginning that Caston could potentially have a huge game and I have that feeling that come next week, this game is going to only help them regardless of the outcome. Knox gets the young guys in second half to see what depth they have because next week is go time for them. Knox 42 Caston 0 Judson at Pioneer Honestly do not know what to say about this game because it matters, but it doesn't. It matters because of the conference standings, but it doesn't matter because they play next week. The only thing we know is that The Pit is going to be a mud bowl. I think the outcome will be the outcome in this game. Triton at Winamac I think I was surprised by the outcome of this. I think Oldschool said it last week and it wasn't the same Triton team we have seen. It seemed just seemed like something was missing last week for Triton and I can't seem to figure out what it was. Winamac has gotten much better since the changes, but it sounds like they will be down with Jones out in concussion protocol. Triton gets back on track this week and regains their confidence running the ball. Triton 35 Winamac 12

Pioneer and North Judson got the absolute worst draw. Play each other 2 weeks in a row in sectional 41

Caston at Winamac sounds like is on hold for the moment. No power.

I am not trying to put any team down by any means, but West Central's and North White's schedule does absolutely nothing for them. The MWC right now is extremely weak. I was expecting Winamac to win that game. As for Judson, I have no idea what happened there. I can only to assume that the changes helped Winamac. The play calling has seemed to stay the same though. As for Caston, I saw what happened with the Triton game and have followed what they have done up to this point. Caston playing Triton, everyone said, including myself, that the game was a tied ball game if Caston had not turned the ball over. Offensively, I know that their 2 kids playing LB are gritty kids on both sides of the ball and feel that based on what I have seen from both teams, Caston I feel have the edge on both sides of the ball. But like I said, what Winamac team are we going to see on Friday?

It was obvious that Judson was more worried about the run. They did a really good job at keeping the run in front of them, but Triton's big shots down the field in the passing game killed them.

I think the biggest thing in this game is who wants it more. Caston's linebackers have been getting nothing but praise and are the focal points on both sides of the ball. Winamac has just been underwhelming. Have the Warriors done good stuff? Absolutely. But both teams have played the same schedule up to this point. If Winamac doesn't match the physicality of Caston, 100% Caston wins this game. Just my take on the situation.

Caston at Winamac The Comets get in the win column and saw a huge confidence boost last week hosting the Cavs. Winamac also has picked up a few nice wins and called their win last week against WC. I like the Comets in this game simply because of their linebackers. I believe Caston can pull out a huge win and continue building their confidence because they are tired of being bullied. Caston 36 Winamac 22 LaVille at North Judson The name of the game this week is resiliency. After watching the Jays last week, speed killed them last week against Triton. For the Lancers, do they take big shots down field? Or do they allow the Jays to keep things in front of them and clobber the run game and keep things interesting? You cannot look past the Jays run defense. LaVille 35 Jays 21 Pioneer at Culver Not much to say. I think the Panthers use this game to help clean things up and get kids healthy. Pioneer 54 Culver 0 Triton at Knox All of the odds are stacked against the Trojans this week and I think spoiling the Redskins hopes of being the lone conference champion is on the hearts and minds of everyone in Bourbon. Knox is riding high right now and their confidence is at an all-time high for the progrum and the same is true for Triton. I talked about resiliency in my prediction for the LV and NJSP game. I think the same is true for both teams in this game and how they handle things on the field. With rain in the forecast on Thursday and possibly Friday night, this could be the difference maker. I am going to go out on a lomb here and say the Trojans win this game because of the odds. Trojans 24 Knox 20

I think it was more than just Shively. Triton was obviously the faster team and took advantage of Judson being flat-footed. It seemed like Judson was 3-4 steps behind Triton on everything. Judson was good at keeping things in front of them, but once someone got behind them, they just couldn't stay up with the receivers. Triton was also way more physical on defense. Stopping Benson was on the menu and it was evident they worked heavily on it. Overall it was a Triton team win.