Miner_Pride

13 hours ago, Paccolpur said:

Prayers to the West Washington Football team and to the whole community during this difficult time. The coaching staffs of both Indy Lutheran and Lafayette Central Catholic felt it was important to honor coach Bowsman. So Both Indy Lutheran and LCC will be wearing helmet stickers with #WWeFamily in honor of coach Bowsman This Friday. 

 

Peace be with you All 

Very classy.. and very special.

This is absolutely terrible news.   Coach Bowsman always went out of this to talk to me the times Linton faced off with his Senators.  And we had great discussions on social media about football and small school sports in general in past years.  I was very happy for his success and know that he is very respected and liked by the whole community.  I had send him a personal note just a couple weeks back as the Senators rolled thru their regional win. WW is in the middle of nowhere, but what a place it is to be on a high school football Friday night.  I know this has to be so hard on his family, his team, and the whole WW area.   My lasting memory was after Linton beat WW in one of the tourney games at Cambellsburg how we talked for 45 minutes in an endzone after everyone had left the field.   JUst hate to hear this happening to someone so young and who gives so much back to his community.  My prayers to all affected. 

Pulling for Coach Bowman and the Senators....!! 

4 hours ago, tango said:

No question the IHSAA hit the bong before drawing the 3A alignment down here, but VL took advantage of the opportunity.  GS had its shot and didn’t finish.  Southridge was up against a tough challenge and can thank the Success Factor.   It’s tough to move up a class and win a Sectional.  

Preaching to the Choir LOL!  

Man.. this is a game with all sorts of history!!!   Everyone.. well alot of people always think Lutheran is gonna beat N.Vermillion... just as they were supposed to come to Linton and beat us... but somehow it never happened.    14-7 last year in SemiState in Indy, 55-37 in an unreal regional at Cayuga and 37-19 in 2015 in Indy semi-state.   Can't imagine that Lutheran isn't uber focused to get past the Falcons, but NV seems to get it done in crunch time.

10 minutes ago, Tanka Jahari said:

The Juggernaut Wolfs offense is better and more explosive than Linton's offense. This could've been proven if Linton had been willing to play the Wolfs. Enjoy your piping hot fart sandwich on the cold morning.

NO no no.... we didn't decline playing your wooofs.... they declined adding us to their schedule.   It would have been quite the battle between offenses this year... the difference might have been who's defense stepped up.'

With the relative ease the Wildcats have had the last two weeks  between my beloved Miners and the North Knox Warriors---  will not having been in a tight battle hurt MD come this weekend? 

14 hours ago, NorthKnox94 said:

Better then the Linton game...

you just extended this thread a couple more weeks~!!

7 hours ago, captainobvious said:

I don’t think Coach Edwards from Eastern has won 465 games!

yeah... not sure how that happened!!
 

Sectional 38:

Scecina is another program with a rich football tradition, as well as an iconic head coach in Ott Hurrle, who has won 200 games in his 28 years leading the Crusaders.  Scecina rushed out to 4-0 beating 6-5 Shenandoah 28-18, and 5-5 4A Beech Grove 55-35 along the way.  Then they ran into a stretch losing 3 of next four: 34-7 to 6-5 4a Roncalli, 42-21 to 10-0 #1 1A Lutheran, and a 21-14 loss to 7-3 3A Ritter.  They did manage to eek out an 8-7 win over 8-3 Triton Central.  They are now winners of 3 straight with the offense putting up 138 points giving up just 36, including another win over Shenandoah last week 49-22.  The Crusaders have racked up 12 sectional titles over the years, and made 5 trips to state finals with 3 crowns.   They've won the sectional title in both 2018 and 2017 with wins over Triton Central. They had a stretch of titles from 2011-2015 only missing out in 2014.  They reached the state game back to back 2011-12, losing both times to LCC.  Heritage Christian hasn't tasted sectional title glory since 2008, repeating their feat accomplished in 2007, both times beating Lawrenceburg. They won the State Title in 2018 beating Lewis Cass 17-14 and going 14-1. They would also reach the state final in 2007 losing to Ft. Wayne Luers 21-6.  An amazing fact considering the program started in 2002! The Eagles one loss was in week 3 to 6-5 3A Guerin Catholic 23-5.  They have 6 wins over .500 opponents including two wins over 8-3 Eastern Hancock, 38-20 and last week 28-6.  They put 7-3 Northeastern out with a 35-6 win 2 weeks back, and also own a 48-7 crushing of 6-5 Shenandoah in week 2.  This has all the ear-markings of another stellar battle in 2A.  SAG rankings nearly identical, both score over 30 ppg.  The Crusader D appears to give up more on the defensive side, but their SOS could be the difference.

Sectional 36:

Eastern Greentown is in the midst of their best season in school history.  They run the slate without any defeats, with wins over 6-4 Delphi 28-14, 6-4 1A Sheridan 31-6, 6-4 2A Lapel 34-31 and last week over 6-5 Alexandria 20-7.  Coach Josh Edwards has been at the helm for 13 years for the Comets, and looks for this to be the breakthrough year in Greentown.  It has not been a pretty picture for EG in the past years of post season performance.  9 years in a row have seen one and done.  They've reached past the opening round just twice in 25 years, and the championship once, losing 27-0 to... Eastbrook in 2004.  The Panthers?  They have to my count 14 sectional titles, 6 Regional wins, and 3 times went to the final game in the state only to fall in each (34-20 to WeBo last year, 28-6 to Ritter in 2016, and back in 2004 62-21 to Tri-West).  Eastbrook and Coach Jeff Adamson started the year 0-2 with losses to 9-2 4A Marion 35-19 and 7-3 4A Delta 55-7.  Since then it's been 9 in a row including the only loss Mississinewa (10-1 4A) has lost 21-14, beating Blackford (5-5) twice, 48-10 over 6-5 Alexandria, and last week's 34-7 win over 6-5 Tipton.  The Panthers schedule is certainly a plus factor to Eastbrook, but the Comets have answered all comers, and allow just 9.36 ppg (2nd in 2A).

Sectional 34:

 Coach Jeff Phillips has led his Kings to a 10-1 season, been #1 and #2 ranked in polls all year..  The lone blemish for Cass was a week seven 58-21 loss to 3A 9-2 West Lafayette.  Their schedule has been strong  ith 7 .500+ opponents, most all in higher classes… and the 2A teams faced and beat were Pioneer (8-2 with both losses coming to the Kings; 26-22 and 43-8) and a 28-7 win over 6-5 Tipton. They blasted 3- 73 Maconaquash 49-8, 4A 6-4 Western 49-20 along the way. The stand out win clearly was a 49-42 win over West Lafayette in week 9 to close out the regular season over that 9-2 3A top 10 team.   Cass has been a stretch where the Kings have lost all 4 Sect championship games they were in (2018 and 2017 both to Eastbrook, 2015 to Bremen, and 2014 to LCC).  Their last raising of the trophy was in 2012 with a 35-7 win over North Judson, which prefaced a memorable double overtime loss to Andrean in Regional action 67-66. They did win sectionals from 2007-2009 and in 2005 as well.  Lewis Cass has not however done much more than get to regionals and exit.  They did reach semi-state in 2005, losing to Jimtown 28-13.   The Lancers under Will Hostrawser won their last title an 2017’s 1-7 win over Triton. That had ended a long stretch dating back to 2003’s 35-6 win over West Central for their last trophy. They had won the year prior with a 28-0 win over Whiting.   They had been in the sect championship game in each of 2014 (losing 33-3 to Winamac), 2015 (24-21 to Northfield) and 2016 (losing 43-40 to Southwood).   Cass has the top ranked SAG in class 2A and 33rd in the entire state at 78.81, as well as the 2^nd highest SOS in 2A.  The Kings are also the top scoring team 2A with a 44.00 per game average, also 5^th in the state.

Sectional 33:

 Two tradition rich programs battle it out in Merrillville.  Coach Meeks has the Bombers with their most wins since the 2014 state championship 15 win squad.  After two midseason losses (44-6 to 9-2 3A W.Lafayette, 20-17 to 8-3 1A LCC) the Bombers have reeled off 5 straights wins, allowing just 25 points total in that span.  They have 2 of 7-3 2A North Newton’s losses (40-15, 35-6), a 28-14 win over 6-4 4A Western, and 24-7 over 6-5 2A Tipton.  The Fighting 59ers have spent much of their time in Class 3A, even a period in 4A, but are back in 2A this year.  They’ve been eliminated in each of the last 2 sectional championship games by West Lafayette (51-24 and 56-10).  Andrean, under Coach Chris Skinner in his 3^rd year, have won 6 straight after a 2-3 start.  It was a start that saw losses to 9-1 6A Merrillville 48-20, 33-10 to 4A 10-1 New Prairies, and 33-10 to 9-2 4A Hobart.  A brutal schedule for any 2A level team.  In fact Andrean has no 2A team on their regular season schedule until sectional.  They have disposed of

6-4 3A Hanover Central 44-23 7-4 4A Lowell 13-0, before knocking off unbeaten Boone Grove last week 27-0.  The 59ners have had 3 shutouts in their last contests.   I could write a separate chapter on these two teams illustrious post-season merits.  Between the two I show 27 sectional crowns, 10 Semi-State wins, and 3 state titles.  However neither have been back to a regional in the last few years.  The Bombers  last sectional title was 2014, wiyth a 51-7 win over Wheeler than ended at the top of the heap.  They won in 2013 (40-12 over Bowman Academ), both 2010 and 2009 with wins over Wheeler 28-0 and 21-8…as well as claiming the trophy is ’08, ’06, ’05, and ’03 in the 2000’s alone.  Andreans last sectional crown was also 2014 beating Calumet 62-6, and reaching the state losing to Tri-Wesy 49-27.  They won the state themselves in 2013, getting past John Glenn in sectional 42-0 and besting Brebeuf 35-27 to the state title.  Actually Andrean won 7 of 8 years in a row sectional titles from 2007-2014.   They won state as well in 2004 over Heritage Hills 21-14, which ended another streak of 4 sectional titles in a row 2001-2004.  This has all the promise of a terrific game. 

2 hours ago, Tanka Jahari said:

Sir, you have misspelled Wolfs. 

I knew...... this.... was coming....

21 minutes ago, MDAlum82 said:

 

Foolish comments like this are why I so rarely post these days as surely someone will get their panties in a wad over what I am about to post and decide to flame me for it.  Well, flame on…

The argument that LS “shot itself in the foot” is both short-sighted of what actually occurred on the field last wk & highly dismissive of the effort put in by the MD defense, IMO.   Pressuring the other team into making mistakes is the entire basis of winning football & competitive sports, in general.  To begin with, “the tipped pass” was the result of a great play by an MD D Lineman who beat the blocker (the first of many times!) and the LB being focused enough to see the ball in the air and make a play.  The many fumbles were certainly influenced by, if not directly caused, by the fact that the MD Defense was in the LS backfield shaking hands with the QB & creating havoc - ALL. NIGHT. LONG.  It becomes demonstrably more difficult to hand the ball off with a D linemen or LB in your face.  Further, when you are being hit/tackled even as the QB attempts to hand you the ball, it is much more difficult to hold onto it.

 LS was a fine team that unfortunately did not have its best game against another fine team.  I doubt we would have the same or similar result if the game were played 20 times.  However, to completely dismiss MD’s role in why & how LS “shot itself in the foot” is further proof that denial is not just river in Egypt…  Mi dos centavos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

agreed 100%, MAter Dei had the D dialed in to what we were doing from the get go.  The high snaps were certainly caused by the pressure the D line created... and they were indeed in our backfield quick... disrupting the play before it started.  Rarely did Goodman have time to sit back and read the coverage either...  Our Offense was totally contained.  A couple plays here or there....and catch ruled complete here or there might have at least helped confidence... but just a great job by the Wildcats...Knight at LB, Davidson at DE, Ralph at DT,  Lannert at S , Kappernock covering Robertson...in particular.

15 minutes ago, burgboyww said:

Fantastic write up! I've always enjoyed the info you publish sir! 

WW has a good shot at number 5 tonight, but Perry is always a tough opponent, physically and mentally and they are super well coached by a very experienced staff. 

Linton has been a brick wall for a lot of programs, Perry and WW for sure and a lot others too, just a well oiled machine for the past century. Much respect for the Miners.

WW has been fortunate to have a fair share of success since the inception in 1964, 1st Undefeated season in 1976 (10-0), they were not chosen for the playoffs, something I still hear about to this day lol. 1st PLAC Title in 1984, there are some local coaches that were on that team, just a really smart football group. There were some other decent teams during Art Sanders 30 year career, but also some really rough times. Before Coach Todd Pritchett became the head coach in 1990 or 1991 there was talk about shutting the whole thing down, fortunately for myself and a ton of other future Senator Football members that coaching staff & players persevered and established a new bar for every team after. In 1993 the Senators rode multiple multi-year starters and the T-Tight offense to a birth in the State Finals, eventually falling to Fall of Fame coach Bob Bridge and North Miami, 37-16. The following year in 1994, the Senators found success with another Final 4 run and once again losing to a different Hall of Fame coach, Sheridan's Larry 'Bud' Wright.

This, to all those teams that followed (Steve Wray - 1 year, Jerry Bland - 1 year, Troy Pritchett - 4 years, Darrin Farris - 6 years, Phillip Bowsman - 13 years and counting) it established a new era of Senator Football and a belief that if it had been done once before, it can be done again. Even a belief that the success of the 1993 team could be surpassed and that a WW team could bring home a Blue Ring. Really since 1993 it's been about build, build, build. Sure there have been some down years, average years, championship losses (those sting the worst, like 2004 @ Linton), but the program continued to move forward, get better and push towards that ultimate goal. While maintaining a certain 'brotherhood' that can be found in small town football. There is a tradition and pride that connects those that have donned the Red, White and Blue (and now Silver, I guess a shade of White? lol) over the years. It is a fun thing to be a part of, and unique to the 'burg boys and girls of yesteryear, present and future. 

The feeling of community is not unique to just the 'burgs that make up WW tho, there are so many around the state of Indiana that have that feeling about their teams and Friday Nights, it's one of the things that makes this game so special. I hope tonight those communities that are fortunate to still be watching football (and even those that aren't, but maybe have a school close to theirs) go out, brave the cold (fingers crossed no bad wind, rain, etc.) and support these young men that have worked their tails off to reach a point in the postseason were they can capture a title. Yes, Livestream in a warm living room with an adult beverage of your choice would be and is nice, but seeing your team capture a Title, feeling the emotions, etc. is something that can only be done in person (your eye still has the best HD quality there is lol). On the flip side, if they don't win then they at least are appreciative that so many came to support and know that their community and surrounding communities are proud of them, that is important to these young men.  

It's the Sweet 16!! Many hours til kickoff, but I'm a little fired up! Go WW!! 

THis is an excellent read...and I enjoy learning about the history of WW... definitely will print this and keep it in my files for references !!!  

2 hours ago, NorthKnox94 said:

your right...but, the 7 turn overs that were committed by Linton...were all pretty much committed by themselves in my opinion!

 

Most were unforced errors.. high snap, bad exhange, or just dropping the ball...  I know one fumble was definitely the result of a hit by the MD Lb knocking the ball lose.  Both int's were good plays by MD.  A tip at the line that landed in LB's lap and an easy 21 yard stroll to endzone, the other.. Lannert just played the ball perfectly.  Course, they did block a punt as well.  I'll agree it was one of the worse games for Linton I've seen.. but I also agree that Mater Dei's defense was the cause of most of the effort.  Even unforced errors can be a result of what the defense is doing!