crimsonace1

It takes two to tango. Mike Gillin was in Pike's conference a couple decades back and had Decatur Central one of the top programs in Marion County, but there's a really good chance he's content where he is. And if you've ever watched Ech's offense, he runs a really good spread scheme that maximizes the passing game (but also handles the run) and is incredibly difficult to defend. He's also significantly younger and relates very well to players and can get people out of the hallways and onto the field. He also knows the school and the football culture and has been a part of a Pike team that has played for a state championship.

Anybody who knows anything about football knows Coach Ech can flat-out coach. He's a Pike graduate and former DC for a state runner-up team at Pike and knows the school and the community. He took Eastern Hancock to the State Finals and then had a lot of success at Zionsville despite being the smallest school in one of the top conferences in the state. He does a tremendous job developing players and his teams are very difficult to play against. Had an incredibly good New Pal not beaten them in the sectional this year (which was a one-score game on multiple occasions in the second half), I'm pretty convinced Zionsville would've been playing in Lucas Oil this year. As a Pike alum, I'm excited to see Coach Echeverria at the helm. Probably Nick Saban and Dabo Swinney. Anything else is settling.

Looking at the numbers, assuming Wood Memorial, Hammond Noll and Lighthouse East are planning on fielding teams at some point in the cycle, I anticipate right at 320 schools. Also, Elkhart Central/Memorial will merge after 2019-20, so I would anticipate 33 schools in 5A and them to be placed in a 5-team sectional for one year. You're close. Minimum of 32 in 5A. Then work back 1-4A with a maximum of 64. If there are fewer than 320 schools, the smallest classes fill up first (e.g., 4A would have 63 schools, then 3A, then 2A, then 1A, and then cut again from 4A if there's still a remaining bye). If there are more than 320 schools, 5A gets the overflow.