LPCounty65

If you ask me, next year will be better for Merrillville. Yes, they are losing Stephens, Elmore, and some other studs, but they return an all-state level DT in Adam Camphor, a D1 WR/CB in John Peters, 4 returning starters on the offensive line, a tailback that rushed for over 1,000 yards as a sophomore this year, and a new QB that can actually throw the football deep. 

Any NP guys know who they might pick up week 2? Or are they sticking with Goshen?

Number 1 scoring defense in 6A vs number 2 scoring defense in 6A according to John Harrell

38 minutes ago, Boilernation said:

Good question. As a mid '90's Portage grad I remember Portage Pop Warner being fairly solid. Coaching at the Middle School levels was solid as well. Most of Portage's MS and HS coaches back then played for the legendary Don Howell at Hobart. I have no idea what's going on now in Portage other than demographics have drastically changed since the early 2000's and the HS is now over 50% free/reduced lunch. 

I have faith in the coaching and leadership abilities of Roydon Richards. Not sure if he has the tools needed though to build a winner.

I know that they had around 10 sophomores contributing to varsity this year and their freshman team was solid. Also heard that one of their 8th grade teams finished undefeated. So I guess that they have talent coming up.

7 minutes ago, npcougar15 said:

interesting. The Ortiz hire didn't seem like a bad one at the time. A guy that paid his dues in the coaching ranks and got an opportunity to be the head guy...it didn't work out...that happens. But if there was more seasoned coaches right for the job, Laporte probably miss played it and set the program back 5-10 years. The James hire was a bit of a s***show. Tough to go against an ENTIRE community wanting a long time assistant to get his crack at running the program. It was a low risk hire and if it worked out, great, but that wasn't the case.

 

Just saw that Laporte's QB had ACL surgery and now the starting position is going to a sophomore. 

Correct about the sophomore. One of 30 something that will dress on Friday nights this year. And all I’m gonna say about the Ortiz hire is that they never opened it up to outside hires, but there was allegedly a big name coach in another Region conference interested in the job. Won’t name names though

1 hour ago, npcougar15 said:

Been passing by Kiwanis field the last few weekday evenings. Looks like Laporte has summer camp/practices going on. 20-25 kids there.... Didn't see too many big bodies so maybe it's more 7-7 and lineman aren't there but either way it didn't look too pretty for a 5A school. All signs point to a long season in Laporte. 

Hire Ortiz and James over better outside hires, expect to be a crap show. But it’ll be worth it if Salary comes back

1 hour ago, npcougar15 said:

Been passing by Kiwanis field the last few weekday evenings. Looks like Laporte has summer camp/practices going on. 20-25 kids there.... Didn't see too many big bodies so maybe it's more 7-7 and lineman aren't there but either way it didn't look too pretty for a 5A school. All signs point to a long season in Laporte. 

And all of it will be worth it if Salary comes back