Miner_Pride

Sectional 41: A rematch from an opening week win by the Bluejays at Culver. This time they play at North Judson. The Cavaliers got here with wins over 2-8 Lake Station 60-14 and 3-8 South Central 14-6. Coach Zehner hasn’t had the Cavaliers past the semi-finals in his prior 3 years, and it was 2011 the last time Culver was in a sectional championship. In fact Culver had 3 consecutive years 2009-11 of being in the big game, winning 48-21 over Whiting in 2009, and would lose to LCC in regional 56-0. They lost the sectional championship games in 2010 (20-7 South Central) and 2011 (27-21 South Newton). All seven Cavalier wins this year have come against sub-.500 teams. The biggest win probably was a 28-20 win over 5-6 Winamac in week 6. They have fallen to Knox and Pioneer by big margins, but put up a fight in a 13-8 loss to 9-2 2a LaVille in week 9. Brett Lambert is in his 1st year at North Judson, and the Bluejays have reached the Sect Champ game several time looking to add to their 11 previous sectional titles. However, they’ve had to face the likes of Pioneer (56-18 loss in 2015, 47-7 loss in 2016), and Lewis Cass (35-7 loss in 2012). They fell to Triton 29-17 in last year’s finale. The have gone 1-4 against winning teams, and that one win was over this 7-4 Culver squad. Their 4 losses were solid defeats to 7-3 2a North Newton, 10-1 3A Knox, 9-22A LaVille (only 17-0) and 8-2 2A Pioneer. Sectional 42: As expected, LCC, despite starting off 1-3, came into this sectional as a heavy favorite to move on. They have plowed through Clinton County, beating both Central and Prairie by a combined 85-20. There truly isn’t anything on paper that would lend promise the Golden Eagles have any legit shot, but it will be their 2nd time in back to back sectional championship tilts. In just their 6th year of existence and in Coach Stevenson’s 2nd year he took them to the championship losing to South Putnam 55-8 last year. That team was 10-2, and this year they sit 9-1 with their only blemish a 63-27 loss to unbeaten Indianapolis Lutheran. The Golden Eagles have wins over 6-5 Covenant Christian 38-27, 7-3 Frontier 55-12 and 5-5 North White 51-6. Meanwhile at LCC, in Brian Nay’s 2nd years it’s a return to winning ways after back to back losing records… that you have to go all the way back to 2003 for a losing LCC record (3-7), and back to 1996 and 1997 for back to back losing records (2-7, 3-7). The funny thing is, they reached the sectional final in both these last two years, and would have won those titles were they not pitted against Pioneer in each case. They lost 70-7 last year, and 48-7 the year before. 2013 is the last year that LCC wasn’t in a sectional championship game. The Knights won Sectional titles 2014-2016, and of course that the 4 year run winning 4 state championships back to back 2009-2012. Those 3 losses early on were to 7-3 3A Tri-West 22-7, 6-5 3A Guerin Catholic 50-28 and 9-2 3A West Lafayette 50-0. Since then they have notched big wins over 9-2 2A Rensselaer Central 20-17, and 21-20 over 4A 6-4 Western. Sectional 43: Another one that on paper looks to be a gimme…but it’s got to be an exciting time in Fairmount for the Argyll faithful. Brady Turner is in just his 2nd year at the helm, and M-G is in the sectional championship game. 4 wins matches their best win total since 2011’s 7-3 season. The last 7 sectionals have seen the Argylls one and done, and their last Sect Champ appearance was in 2019 with a loss for Ft. Wayne Luers 49-14. It wasn’t always one and done for Madison-Grant, as they won 14-0 over Tipton for the title in 2008, and again in 2006 beating South Adams in Overtime 26-20. Both years saw the Argylls lose in regional games (21-0 to Jimton, and 33-13 to Harding). M-G lost their first 7 games this year, 5 of those opponents being .500 or better, and all of them in bigger classes than 1A. Included in that were losses to 6-5 Tipton, 11-0 Eastern (Greentown), 9-2 Eastbrook, 6-5 Alexandria, 5-5 Blackford…all 2A, and 4A 10-1 Mississinewa. They also lost t o4-6 3A Oak Hill. The back half put them against competition (2-28) they dominated0 Elwood, Frankton and Taylor. Their best win though, came last week in a 55-27 win over 5-6 Union City. The Starfires are rolling. Their 11 wins is the best I have seen in any past season and Coach Grant Moser, in his 3rd year, has them poised to make a run to Lucas. They finished up #2 ranked across the boards, and took 7-4 Monroe Central out last week 28-6, making it two wins over the Golden Bears this year (34-15 in week 5). The closest anyone has come to making a game happen with SA was in week 8 with 3-7 2A Woodlan—a 15-0 Starfire win. Obviously being unbeaten, they’ve not lost to any .500+ team, and there were 5 along the way. 6-4 2A Winchester (40-0), 7-3 2A Bluffton (41-0), and the aforementioned Monroe Central twice; but the big one as a 42-14 humbling of rival 10-1 Adams Central mid-season. There should be celebrations tonight in Berne, as 2018 and 2017 saw South Adams eliminated after 1 game, losing 28-21 to Churubusco in ’18, and 28-7 to the Flying Jets in ’17. They have won sectionals recently though with a 29-27 win over Churubusco in 2016, 31-14 over Southern Wells in 2014, and 14-13 over Adams Central in 2013. They reached the Semi-State in ’14 losing 62-7 to Pioneer. Sectional 44: This one had a big upset shake things up last week as the Norsemen knocked off the #3 ranked undefeated Knights of Southwood 14-6. It was also a revenge game as Southwood had beaten Northfield in week 4 20-6. That game put Coach Baker’s team at 0-4, their worst since an 0-6 start in 2008. The Norsemen had lost to 7-3 2A Bluffton 24-20, 7-4 3A Tippecanoe Valley 28-21, 7-3 3A Maconaquah 43-7 prior… but now they have 7 wins in a row. Granted none of those wins came against a 5 win team until last week, but three came against 4-win teams (Wabash, Rochester and North Miami). The Norsemen had been one and done in each of the last three years, and in fact don’t have a rich history in post-season. The lone exception was in 2015 when they won their 1 sectional 24-21 over LaVille, and reached the Semi State losing to LCC 45-6. Adams Central has a tremendous football history, and Coach Mosser has 90 wins in this his 11th season in Monroe. They beat Southwood 38-0 to win sectional title in 2018, and won in both 2016 (15-12 over Monroe Central) and 2015 (28-12 over Monroe Central again). I could go on and on with their post-season history but will leave it at 20 sectional titles, 12 regional titles and a state Championship in 2000. Their lone blemish for the #4 ranked Flying Jets was a statement 42-14 loss to rival and unbeaten South Adams in week 6. I’m sure they’d love another crack at the Starfires in a possible Regional tilt, but they can’t affort to overlook Northfield. Most everyone had this game pegged as battle with unbeaten Southwood, but the Norsemen changed that. AC has 3 wins over quality opponents: 21-14 over 9-2 2A Eastside, 21-13 over 7-4 Monroe Central and 33-7 over 7-3 2A Bluffton. Bluffton beat Northfield 24-20 in week 1. Sectional 45: This one has been written on the walls and much talked about for most of the latter part of the season… in particular since week 7’s wild down to the last second Falcon win 42-36 at Cayuga. This rematch is one that will surely attract a huge standing room only crowd. The loss is the lone negative mark on Coach Brian Moore’s season, in which the Wolves have had no trouble rolling through. They average point differential is +32 per game, 5th in class 1A, with only a 26-6 win over Attica in week 4 would constitute a “game” they hadn’t dominated start to finish. Against .500 teams they lost only to NV, and count wins over Seeger (52-7), Covington (60-24) South Vermillion (46-27) and Attica twice in the other 5. It’s only year two for Coach Brian Moore in the merge between Rockville and Turkey Run. The Rox were no strangers to post season runs, and neither is Coach Moore. At Seeger he racked up 5 sectional titles and a state crown in 2004, and a Sectional with Fountain Central in 2013. North Vermillion’s only loss of ’19 came in week 4’s 38-20 defeat at the hands of 9-2 2A Linton. Last year it was also the only loss NV would suffer on their run to the state final (a 60-0 loss to Pioneer). The Falcons handed a 42-38 loss on 7-4 2A South Vermillion, and have beaten 5-5 1A Covington twice, 6-5 Attica (21-14), 6-4 2A Seeger (35-20) and defeated 5-6 South Putnam last week 28-13 to reach this rematch. North Vermillion had several coaching changes up until 2012 when Brian Crabtree came about, and he’s brought stability into the program, winning 87 of his 101 games. They beat Attica 22-6 last year to start their state run, but also have sect titles in 2015 (48-20 over South Putnam), 2014 (48-20 over Fountain Central) and 2012 (27-7 over Attica). They also had a 2011 win over Rockville in Overtime 27-20. Before 2011, you had to go all the way to 1994 under Mark Bless to find NV in a sectional championship game. This game certainly keeps that old Rockville-N.Verm rivalry alive. Both coaches with an over 80% win rate, NV ranked #5 PH ranked #6; The Wolves with the highest scoring offense in class 1A, and 4th in the state at 47.09. North Vermillion has a high scoring offense as well at 35 ppg. Sectional 46: Well. Certainly a case where the two top teams in this sectional met in round 1, and a dominant 62-14 win by Saints eradicated any thoughts of mystery of the outcome in the end. Could this be the year for Coach Dave Pasch and the Lutheran faithful to reach the ultimate state championship goal? Last year was tough to swallow losing to North Vermillion 14-7 in semi state, on the heels of losing 12-8 to Eastern Greene in the semis in 2017… and then again in 2016 to Linton 43-14… and 55-37 to the Falcons in regionals 2015…and again the to Falcons in Semi state 2014 37-19! That is a horror story if you are a Saints fan. The program’s 1st full year of varsity participation was 2006, and immediately Lutheran served notice with a 7-4 year. 2009 was their first sectional title, a 13-7 win over Scecina, and obviously they have several sectional titles in their trophy case; Six, with the last five coming in each of the last 5 seasons! The Saints as usual, have played a solid schedule; 2nd in 1A, with 7 wins over +.500 teams including 7-4 3A Ritter (35-14) 8-3 2A Triton Central (28-14) 8-3 2A Scecina (42-21), 9-1 1A Traders Point (63-27) and wins over Sheridan and Covenant Christian to reach the championship tilt. The Panthers got the best draw you could ask for; the bye, then a 13-12 battle victorious over 4-4 Indiana Deaf. Their 3 wins have come over Anderson Prep, Oldenburg Academy, as well as Indiana Deaf. Park Tudor was in a sectional final in 2017 losing 46-7 to Western Boone, and back to 2006 losing to Ritter 35-0. The do own a sectional title: 2005 with a win over Milan 40-8, and actually again in 2002 beating South Decatur 14-12. Sectional 47: Another sectional finale with a rematch much anticipated in southeast Indiana. The Chargers have dropped one game this year, and that happened in week 9, a 20-15 loss to 2A 6-4 Lapel. Coach Stirn’s 10 wins tie a 10-3 1998 ND team that won the only sectional trophy in 25+ years, and their 2nd in school history beating Knightstown 7-6. The Indians last won Sectional glory in beating Triton Central in 2016 52-28, losing to Ritter in Regional 40-6. They’ve been in the hunt several times-2012; 2014, and have titles in 2011 (50-14 over W.Washington) then 11 years further in 2000 (38-22 over WW). They also won in 1996 and 1995. These two faced off in week 5 in Greensburg with North Decatur blanking Milan 21-0. It was one of three Charger wins over .500 teams with a 41-0 win over 6-5 2A Paoli, and 58-0 over 5-5 2A Switzerland County. Ryan Langferman always has the Indians in the thick of things, and at 9-2 they’d love to end ND’s magical season. Milan has wins over Switzerland County 54-40 and a 3-0 squeaker over 6-4 Knightstown to start Sectional 47. They beat 4-7 Hagerstown 34-14 last week. Their two losses came to ND, and to 10-1 3A Lawrenceburf 42-14 in week 3. The Charger defense has allowed just 4.82 ppg, 1st in class 1A, but their SOS is one of the worst in the entire state (5.17- 315th). Milan’s isn’t much better at #297, but they did open with three 3A schools winning 2 of them. With this game at Milan the SAG numbers favor the Indians. Sectional 48: Two teams again who met in the season, with a dominant win by the Senators 44-19 in week 7. Philip Bowsman has coached W.Washington to 93 wins in his 13th year, earning top 10 rankings in 1A to close the season. Their only defeat came at the hands of 3A 6-4 Salem 22-6 in the last week of regular season. They have rolled through 2019 with wins of 34-30 over 6-5 2A Paoli, and a 50-22 decisive win over 7-4 North Daviess last week. They’ve also beaten 4-6 Springs Valley twice along the way. After a few down years, the Commodores have come on strong under Coach Greg Gibson, having won 4 in a row, incluing a 42-12 win over North Central (2-9) last week. The problem for Perry is they are 0-4 against winning teams with losses to 5-5 2a Tell City 12-6, 6-5 2a Forest Park 30-20 to start the year, then a 28-6 loss to Paoli along with the loss to the Senators. Their biggest wins would have to be 28-22 over 4-6 Springs Valley and 29-14 over 4-6 2A Mitchell. Both of these teams have solid post-season creds with Perry Central making two runs to State Finals (2001 lost to Southern Wells 30-7, 1999 losing to LCC 59-7). PC hasn’t been in a sectional final since a loss to Linton in 2013 42-9, but they did win many times- 2010 over Linton 2817, 2006 over Springs Valley 41-0, 2005 over WWash 26-7. Those last two years were tough as they reached Semi-States both times losing each by a single point (21-20 to Ritter, 22-21 to Knightstown). They have 4 more Sectional titles to total 7 over the years. The Senators have 4 sectional titles to their resume… a 14-6 win over North Daviess most recent in 2015 where they lost the Regional to Linton 35-13. They got another in 2012 with a 24-7 win over Milan, losing again to Linton 28-0 in Regional. But WW has been close several times with 8 games for a shot at the sectional crown since 2000.

Can't imagine Lincoln not getting this.... certainly would excite the Vincennes folks!!

I know it's on WUZR 105.7 FM.. and they have an online stream of the audio https://www.wuzr.com/

I remember the first meeting with the Sullivan kid at RB.. we lost 14-0. Then a few years later we had gotten to the WV 5 or less...poised to score and win, and QB threw a pick that looked to be a pick 6, and he ran across the field to tackle the Viking at about our 5.

I'm always in the booth by the time any of the grilling is done... but I know they got a big ol' tent with some good smelling vittles that blow with that wind into my nose in pregame!

Not all the time.. but yes indeed our AD opens up the track in 'Big Games" so that people can essentially walk alongside field separated by a yellow rope. In my playing days it was like this every game... then they redid the whole thing and with the new track and fence separated fans from the track. It really was a sight to see! Before I started broadcasting..I would walk the sidelines as well... Loved hearing the action up close...

I'm sure you are right. Linton ran this offense for a couple three years at one point as I recall. I suppose it is the basic element of spread offenses... I was just giving those not familiar to offensive schemes a more descriptive run down on what we saw. Lannert was very quick for sure.... and they caught our backside DE and LB's busting in many times on those Happe keepers.. looked like that was well scouted and that Happe was looking for it!

I definitely think playing at Warrior Field will be a key factor for NK. I'm not going to blame the 'big city' atmosphere of Evansville or the Reitz Bowl in the slightest for the bad start or the loss. No question though that had Linton been in the friendly confines of Roy WIlliams in their own locker room coming from their homes after school with no 2 hour bus ride...and hopefully what would have been a huge turnout of Miner fans...as well as folks from surrounding schools no longer player who may or may not back Linton LOL. This scenario is precisely what the Warriors hope to have this week. And I am absolutely sure that all the surrounding communities will be in full black n red support as NK hasn't been in a sectional finale but once in 25 years... so there will be ton of excitement. Can NK take that energy early on and make it work in their favor? That is a key in this game for me. the very start. I don't for one second think MDei will be phased by the environment. They play in big environments all year. A big rowdy anti-Wildcat scene won't change how they perform.. it will have to be the Warriors.. I think they will be very up for the game...and if they can harness that energy to make some big plays happen for them, I feel they could get some momentum and try to sustain that for 4 quarters. I do think MD's gonna have to help out by having a couple blunders. They gave us one... on a snap skipping to the punter that gave us the short field for once...and we scored a couple plays later. NK's front Dline will be physically big as a whole.. and have to get penetration...but at the same time be disciplined to not run themselves out of the play. MD brings a slot guy in motion long distance to either fake to and hand to McGrew..who will either head opposite, or start that way only to curl back behind the motion. In our game the QB Happe would pull out the ball last minute and go opposite the flow and picked up big gains. THey also ran several screens and swing passes taking advantage of the D's pursuit of Happe, and the LB's reading run and slow getting out to cover McGrew. And Happe is a good scrambler and making plays on the run. Then there is the 4 wide receivers you have to be sure you cover...including 6'5 Money and 5'10 Kassenbrock. You better have LB's who can cover a pass situation. Now hopefully NK can move the ball against MD. Because if it's a flurry of 3 and outs without much success... obviously things won't end well in Warrior land. Then you gotta try things you aren't so comfortable with... but with Doades, and Noland, along with Boyles... they've shown they can mix in the pass to make some plays. If MD can be allowed to put 9 in the box without concern of giving up a big pass play....again.. long nght. But just maybe that OLine can out physical MD and get 3 or 4 yards a play..and keep moving the chains..thus moving the clock... but they got to end those drives with points.... I'd love to be there... I'll be listening on Tom Lee....

oooops

I'll start it.... it is a big game for the Warriors... and certainly something Mater Dei has been fighting to get back for a few years....

Yeah I agree the game was genuinely up for grabs at 21-13 until Linton scored at 2:43 to go. By the most competitive Warrior-Miner game in several years. Their defense kept this one tight, as did the Miner D. Linton scoredon 3 of their first 4 drives, with the one failure ending on the Warrior 9. NK scored on their opening two drives then that was it. NK certainly won that 3rd quarter in terms of yards. They went 61 yards in their first drive of the 2nd half before a 4th and long pass was intercepted at the L26. The Miners got to the NK 26 twice in the 2nd half.. Goodman's pass tipped off a wide open Dyer, that was picked at the Warrior 13. Early in the 4th Lannan was stopped at on a 4th and 2. It was a solid effort by NK, but 299 in rushing by Linton and another 137 in the air was a lot of yardage surrendered. NK Defense made the plays when they needed them. The rush offense that is NK's bread n butter was held in check, with QB Hammelman providing the bulk of offense with his legs (11-54 rushing, most on scrambles) and thru his arm (10-24-154).. and 40 of that came on a TD pass to Doades for their 2nd score. Course this was week 7? and NK has rolled pretty smoothly improving in all aspects of their game. I can definitely say that Mater Dei a staunt defense. Linton finished with 232 yards for the game but honestly 124 came in the 4th against MD reserves. That leaves 108 over 3 quarters for an offense that was pretty impressive this season. NK seems more power orientated.. trying to pound the yards. Linton is more misdirection, and MD was very disciplined.. back side did not chase, they did not take themselves out of the play, and their D line was constantly busting up the gut before anything could develop. MD's offense has a lot of misdirection too.. bringing a slot in motion sometimes from all the way across the field and taking the handoff, or McGrew going against the grain...plus in our game..several times QB Happe kept it and had big gains getting outside on the back side. They were almost always 4 receiver sets... 2 per side. This spreads out the defense pretty thin. And if not faced it much.. you don't know how you'll react. Happe had some key runs out of a passing situation. Knight and Folz are great LB's.. very quick to the hole. Lannert from safety is their leading tackler for a reason.. all of their Dline were quick on their first moves.. beating our guy to the spot. And add to it 6'5 MOney and 6'1 Davidson at DE's both got tipped passes at the line.. one ended up a defensive score. My hope for the Warriors is they can use ball control to keep MD offense off the field, but they gotta convert those drives into points. I also hope they can catch some breaks, of which Linton got one (the punter dropped the snap which gave us the ball at MD's 21..and we scored on a pass just before the half)….They are gonna have to prove that the passing game can be dangerous..because MD will just sit 8-9 in the box and beg them to throw it...

I tell ya. .this is the game I wish I could just get in the car and head up to watch start to finish. You guys battled to the absolute bitter end of this game on both sides.... What a crazy exciting game.. and I can't see how this one won't duplicate it. The environment and intensity will be off the charts!!!

LOL.. well ... lemme clarify something--- I was born at Deaconess in Evansville... way back. But my youngest years were spent in Henderson Kentucky where my Dad was 1st Assistant to Bull Dawson at Henderson City High.. home of the Flash. Dad was set up to take over for Bull.. but every year he'd decide to stay another year. Finally Dad took a head coach job in Sullivan. I was in the 3rd grade. Everything was different. Henderson City was a serious football team, and dad was a serious coach. He lasted 3 years before getting the axe. We ended up in Linton... 15 miles to the east, as Dad was Athletic Director/Ass't Principal. So quite naturally, and despite having several close friends from Sullivan... I goal was never ..ever.. to lose the the Golden Arrows. Which I'm proud to say in my years never happened. So.. yeah.. I might not root for the Arrows ALLLLLL the time, but I not as stringently full of hate as I was all those years ago either!! And I like Blaine Powell.. so that makes it easier!

As for this week's Championship.... I will be pulling for North Knox. I've nothing personal against Mater Dei.. and whomever wins here will have my support moving forward. I always want to see teams we play have great seasons, and always like to see anyone from our area do well in postseason. That just helps our schedule outlook... well.. maybe not the Arrows... LOL.. just kidding! I think NK will have to play their ultimate game and get some help... just as I said about my Miners. Mater Dei will have to come to Warrior Field out in the midst of nothing between Bicknell and Freelandville. There will be an insane environment waiting for them.. course, I don't think that will have any effect on a team that played in front of a packed Reitz Bowl a few weeks back. Obviously MD is coached well, and has great kids on that field. A lesser team would probably look at the Linton-NK game midseason and think.. ok....Linton beat NK 28-13, we beat Linton 44-21... the same offense we just shut down completely put 299 rushing and 137 passing on the Warriors.... A lesser team I would wonder about over-confidence on the road... thinking ahead rather than the task at hand. I don't see that with Mater Dei though. But you know it's gonna be cold by Friday, if by chance the rain moves in and makes things muddy and nasty (no field turf in our neck of the woods)... which all plays into NK's style of play... things can change so fast in football. This is the best Warrior D I've seen come out of North Knox is many years, a lot of seniors and leaders. I wish them well, and it won't surprise me if they surprise MD early on... unless NK pulls a turnover feast like Linton did, and gets down early. Then it could be a long long night.

I'm not speaking for any coaches... just comes from my personal feelings...

I think it's a simple as this.... Those senior kids wanted to play every play to the bitter unfortunate end. We had timeouts...we took them so they could maybe get a couple more plays. Sure they wanted to score. The same way teams did against us when we had long taken our #1's out in running clock blow outs. I know that if this were a regular season game it would not have happened. I know if roles were reversed and Linton was up 44-7 it wouldn't have happened. It's a simple as that. They knew the game was out of reach, but no senior player wants it to end. It was a very disappointing end to a terrific season, and I know in my 20 years of broadcasting I've never seen a worse opening quarter start by the MIners. I think Mater Dei was the better team...their defense really shut us down. Very Disciplined as we knew they'd be. I honestly thought the D played good...but they were put on their heels to much by the turnovers. It does hurt because you know this game meant a lot to the Miners, and the seniors in particular. We had to climb the hill in 1A, seemingly always having that nemesis we had to get over to get to the next level... Now it's 2A and a whole new set of hills to climb...Southridge, Mater Dei.... We just have to keep working. I have no doubt that Mater Dei's schedule prepares them well for when they play 2A post season. We have beefed up the schedule at Linton...but I don't think we would ever have the schedule MD, or Bishop Luers, Andrean etc are going to play in the bigger cities. So back to the issue... the timeout and score... don't take it too seriously. You are advancing with a pretty solid thump of the Miners. I'm sure it was a matter of letting these kids have as many downs as they could before it was all over. Maybe I would have a gripe in a meaningless game in week 4 with a team leaving their starters in late against our uber subs... in fact I've stated it many times... but I also know coaches are trying to give their team anything to build on in those situations... and losing 44-21 is better than 44-7... especially when looking back on it in 10 years! But I wouldn't have a problem with it happening to us in this situation.. Last game. Last time any of these seniors will play this awesome game for the Red/Blue. Congrats to Mater Dei. Their defense took it to us. And special teams took it to us. I wish it would have been a better showing for my Miners... but it happens. I'm sure when I go back to double check stats that the two games we've lost to Mater Dei will show us turning the ball over more than another other 2 games I've covered....I don't know what the heck was happening.... That opening tip and Pick 6 just set the tone....

Thought I would take a look at the NK Warriors! NK came into 2019 with a lot of returning starters on both sides of the ball. They would have to replace their biggest offense weapon in RB Gavyn Doane...as well as Thomas Keegan at QB, tackle Destin Hardy and OLB Lee Endicott. Reece Hammelman would move to QB from starting at H back, Cole Richter the heir apparent to Doane. Most positve was the return of 4 of 5 Olinemen, and 10 of 12 defensive starters that figured to be the Warriors strong point. Coming off a 5-6 2018 campaign, the Warriors are in the midst of the best season under Coach Josh Chambers, with 7 wins the most since a 9-3 2014 year (under Coach Shawn McDowell). They had only achieved 7 wins in 4 seasons since 2000. The Warriors dropped their opening tilt against 6-4 3A Sullivan 15-12; a game which NK could have won, perhaps should have. They ran off shutouts at 1-9 Eastern Greene, and at home vs 3-7 Tecumseh, both 1A, then traveled to 4A Boonville to hand the 5-4 Pioneers a 34-20 setback. Next up a 54-0 slam on 1A 2-8 North Central. This set up the Warriors at 4-1 heading into big battles with 6-4 3A Vincennes Lincoln, and 9-1 2A Linton. The Battle with Lincoln was hard fought, but went the Alices way in the end 12-6, and the following week a 28-13 loss to the Miners that was a one score game midway through the 4th quarter. They'd respond to those back to back losses by finishing the regular season blasting both 7-3 1A North Daviess 44-12, and 0-10 3A Washington 54-22. That carried over to a road 55-21 win over 1-9 South Spencer in the opening round of sectional 48. First and formost, The Warriors are a rushing team. averaging 354.4 rush yards a game, 396-3,190 with 44 rush TDs. SR #23 Cole Richter may be small in stature, but leads NK with 1,085 rush yards and in carries (149) and in Rush TD (15). Soph #20 Holtman Doades has been solid 64- 737 and 11 Rush TD. Add that QB Hammelman with 71-508-6... as well we backup #12 Rhett Sheren (Soph, 6'0 180) with 448 yards on 58 carries... the heir apparent to Richter in 2020. Hammelman has thrown the ball 114 times hitting on 61, a 59.5% rate, for 917 yards in the air. 10 TDs against 6 picks. Doades with 19 catches for 311 yards, 18 to Boyles for 213, and 12 to Noland for 229. Doades again leads with 4 TD receptions, 2 to Noland, and 2 to Urbain, who had 5 total for 61 yards. Richter adds 5 catches for 68 yards. It's the Defense that has been staunt this year... this is who we saw when Linton played them. I'm sure there are other contributers. They are lead by Sr Troy Noland with 119 tackles, followed by his younger brother soph Beau Noland at DE with 104 tackles. Wolfe adds 77 from DT, 52 from Boyles, 51 from SR Trey Keller #56 (6'0 240) who clearly gets a lot of action. Urbain with 49, then Haag with 48. Wolfe leads in TFL with 14 closely followed by 13.5 from Beau Noland and 4.5 from Keller. The Noland brothers combine for 12.5 of the team's 20 sacks.. Beau with 8, Troy 4.5. NK has forced 24 turnovers, 11 of those picks, of which Hammelman has 5. Doades has handled PATs, 12 of 36, a 40.5% tick. Troy Noland does kick off and averages 40.4 per punt.

sECTIONAL 1a Round 2.docx sECTIONAL 2a Round 2.docx

THought I'd reflect on last year's Mater Dei- Linton Sectional 2 game: At the Roy. What a horrid night it was... pure mud on the field from 20 to 20. Clearly it would effect both teams in many ways. In the end...Linton lost 6 fumbles... most deep in MD territory. MD would have 3 of their own, 2 of those interceptions. After a Miner 3 and out to start, Mater Dei drove 74 yards in 7 plays culminating in a Cole Happe to Hunter Taylor 29 yard TD strike, 7-0 Wildcats at 8:17. The Miners would answer right back from own 33 with Lannan busting up middle for a 45 yard TD run, and we were tied at 6:50. MD 3 and out, Linton gets ball at MD 41, reach their 29 with a 1st Down, then turn the ball over on a fumble. Again Mater Dei would punt to Miner 30, but a Hold on Linton forced a Miner punt right back. Then Linton's Gavin House picked off a Happe pass putting Linton at the MD 26. Linton would get to the Wildcat 14, and on 3rd and 1 another killer holding penalty pushed us pack, and following 2 incompletions, the Wildcats would hold and take over at their own 24 as the 2nd Quarter barely had started. The Wildcats would then go 76 yards yards in just 6 plays with another Happe TD pass, this time to Austin Wulff. Happe had scrambled to buy time, and Wulff on a wheel route and been left wide open. The PAT was blocked, putting the score 12-7 MD at 5:19 of the second quarter. Disaster for Linton as House fumbles at the Miner 14. 4 Plays later, MD would score as Happe went in from the 2, and it was 20-7 Wildcats at 3:16. Disaster then again, and Dyer fumbles at Linton's own 29. This time the Miner D would keep MD out, and a 4th down pass was incomplete. That is how the first half would end. ND with 166 yards Linton at 117. Linton's mostly on ground with 103, Mater Dei's thru the air with 147. The WIldcats got a good return to start the 2nd half at their 48, and 8 plays later John McGrew busted in from the 4, and at 8:29 the hope was fading for Linton, down 27-7. Offensively the Miners were very unproductive, totaling -3 in total yards, and in fact having the ball just once resulting in a 3 and out. MD would take that first punt at their own 49, get a 36 yard Happe to Wulff pass, then against on a 4th and 5 from the Miner 10 for another Wildcat score. At 4:10 now 34-7 MD. Still more Miner detriment as the following kickoff ended in another Miner lost Fumble. Facing 4th and 7, Happe had heavy pressure and heaved a pass that was picked off and nearly returned for a long TD... but, a roughing the passer flag eliminated it all. As the 4th quarter kicked in, and the penalty assessed, McGrew walked in the endzone from 3 putting MD up 40-7 with 11:00 to go. Linton would still fight, reaching the Wildcat 29, but Goodman was sacked, and coughed up the ball again. This time Mater Dei would fumble right back. At this point MD had mostly 2's on the field, and Linton would score on a Trey Goodman to Lance Dyer 22 yard pass play, at 7:52, making the margin 40-14. Linton would reach the MD 23 again, but a snap over Goodman's head ended that drive. Luke Lannan would bust through for the last points of Linton's season from 20 yards out with under a minute remaining to close out the scoring-- 40-21 Mater Dei advanced. Linton rushing 34-144, Passing 6-19-98 242 total Mater Dei rushing 39-68 Passing 16-29-226 294 total

It ALWAYS seems to be a strong wind any time I've been there... and on those rainy cold nights.. of which there have been plenty.. that wind howls! Course I KNOW you KNOW this!!

ok... I like that one!

I can only imagine that wind whipping thru Warrior Field tomorrow!!!

I certainly hope MIner fans load up their vehicles and make the trip to Evansville to A) Support the MIners and B) get to be in the Reitz Bowl! Linton has always had a terrific fan base both home and away...and still has a terrific fan base in and around Linton... but in the advent of Video Streaming there hasn't been near the bodies in the stands in road games particularly...Perhaps because of the magnitude of this one.. folks will make a night of it and be at this game in the flesh. This team deserves that.

Obviously I am a die-hard Linton guy. I will always believe the Miners have a chance to win against anybody anywhere on any given night. I think our guys will always give the maximum effort and believe... and I think our coaches always do what they do best to get our team in a position to get that W. Mater Dei absolutely is the favorite in this game. It's in Evansville..at the Reitz Bowl... They've beaten Indian Creek (3A 7-3) in a dominant way 49-14... beat a good North team 45-27 (5-4 5A), beat Central 10-7 by a field goal (8-2 4A). Losses came to two very good teams, and by small margins.. Castle (5A 5-4) 13-0 where Happe threw 4 Ints… and Memorial (4A 8-1) 10-3! Those are 5 teams any small 2A school is gonna have trouble with. You can't just assume you'd beat a 3-7 4A Reitz team at their house even if they are 3-7...but MD did just that 31-28. I think Reitz would give most any small 2A team a loss. BUt you gotta believe on any given night you can win. We have to play flawless ball...and I feel we are much better this year than last, and better than we were at the beginning of the season. I can see Mater Dei is much improved from 2018 as well. A lot of the names are gonna be the same from last year. Luke Lannan ran for 122 and 2 scores for Linton and had 22 total tackles. Cole Happe passed 16-29 for 226 yards and 3 TDs. Dyer, Goodman, Howard, Robertson, Mongeau, Rogers and other Miners... Lannert, Kassenbrock, McGrew, Folz, Davidson, Schnurr and other Wildcats...