Miner_Pride

Certainly throwing my support with Pioneer.   Great win over Andrean... and now Luers waits?!?!  

THis was a highlight game for Gasser..!!  and I thought OLB Wilkey make some key stops as well..  Glad to see Gasser wasn't hurt too bad late in the game.  Raiders just got on top quick...   That opening Tiger's drive would have been a key thing had they got something out of it.  Congrats on a great season Lawrenceburg...   keep on truckin Southridge!

1 hour ago, Cappy said:

Game is Saturday 

excellent.. I can watch it then!!!

Good luck to the Raiders tonight.

3 hours ago, itiswhatitis said:

I never said Linton didn't have good teams.   But I DID more or less say they can't hang with MD.   Just look at the past 3 games.   That's all the proof you need.   I believe in reality, it's going to be a while before the Miners are competitive with MD.  The Wildcat program is just too strong right now.

Oh I know that!  But you are correct.  it's hard to look at those 3 games and think otherwise.   Until we can defend that kind of passing attack...and have a dependable dangerous pass attack ourselves on a regular basis to keep teams from loading the box.... we are always going to run into trouble. 

3 hours ago, RoadRunner said:

Just curious, did you read into the Tell City team that they assembled for their sectional game against LS at all? i encourage you to check the lineups for both the game against SR and the game against LS and see that they did not have half of their starters in the sectional game. If they did, I think it is very likely that they would be playing this weekend in the regionals.

And to go along with your call for us to play MD, Jasper, etc after the year. I'm sure our guys would GLADLY accept that challenge to knock off MD at the Reitz Bowl once again as well as put it to Jasper.

well you know I gotta jump on this.   they did have more than half their starters... in particular their entire starting O line, the QB and all three starting backs.   What they didn't have were all their starting DB's...  we didn't pass.  I do acknowledge that it was their full normal assortment of players.. and they did move some guys from one place to another... but they could not run on us.  And they are not a passing team like Mater Dei is.  But I also think LInton was keyed up to play Tell City... and I don't agree that had Tell City had everyone in uniform that it would be a given that the Marksmen would have moved forward. 

1 hour ago, itiswhatitis said:

The thing is, Miner fans have been spoiled for years.  You win 6 sectionals in a row and then a state title and fans come to expect the team to be good every year and bring home hardware.   I get that 2A is more difficult than 1A but look at Pioneer.   They have only been in 2A for 2 years and have won a sectional this year.  Linton has barely won ANY sectional games let alone a title.   That is what is so frustrating.   These past 3 games with Mater Dei makes them look like they don't belong.  That's the perception.   If they had been close games, it would be different.   Oh they will play good for a quarter or a half and then the wheels come off the wagon.  Frustrating for fans.  That sophomore quarterback for MD carved up Linton's defense.  Is there a need to start recruiting within the halls of Linton High School?   I know Coach Wellington used to do that when he was head coach.  It was said he'd walk the halls and talk with kids trying to get them out for football.

Since the forced move up to 2A ...that's now permanent because so many more small schools have entered IHSAA... charter et al...  I don't think Linton's enrollment of 381 has done much changing... it was at it's peak in the early to mid 2000's... but it's been more on the decline that upswing.   I think we have terrific dedicated kids playing football.  We have had very good football teams since that state championship of 2016.  the 2017 team lost twice to 2A state champ Southridge, and both were good battles, and to 9-4 Ritter and to 1A state runner up Eastern Greene.  Linton has beaten many a 2A team so I know we can play in 2A ....  2019 won 9 games,with losses only to southridge and MD...    I think every school had kids walking halls, athletic kids you wish played football.. some who did in younger years and stopped for whatever reason. Some who focus on one sport year round.. which kills a small school.  I get it... some just don't like the sport... don't like the physical side... and some simply don't want to put in the effort it takes to be a good player.  In Linton... it all starts with the youth program.  But we've seen a decline in numbers, we've seen the junior high teams severely hampered by low numbers.  And the scary thought is that several of those kids did not play this year.  I'm hoping that it changes around next year.   But the kids we got on the team... they deserve kudos and smacks on the back... with what they have all gone thru with this covid stuff...  and we still had a very good Linton squad this year.

8 minutes ago, oldtimeqb said:

The Southridge obsession with Mater Dei and 2A football is starting to reach unhealthy levels. 

Yeah... that thought is never far away.   Now...while we have taken a couple on the chin from The Raiders... we've had a couple really battles to the nitty gritty...  But yeah.. having Southridge back in 40 would make it doubly tough...  

1 hour ago, Wildcat1992 said:

Last two games against Linton:

MD Starters 81 Linton Starters 7

MD JV 0 Linton starters 33

MD has a lot coming back next year as well.  I expect another sectional match up between these two.

MD is always gonna be involved in sectional championship in 2A IMO.... in this sectional.  

the sad thing for us MIner Fans tho.. is we really wanted this game to be competitive... running clocks may be the norm in a alot of our games.. but not usually with us down 35+...    and while he score looked better at 37-20.. we know it really wasn't close in the slightest past 1st quarter.. and that is a big disappointment.   Three meetings with Mater Dei and we haven't been in any of these games.   Pushed up to 2A was welcomed by most all Linton folks...but it's clear we have a lot of stairs to climb to get to that playing field.  We have a solid class of Juniors who will be seniors in '21 and a handful of Sophs who started will have a year experience.  We lose 3 offensive starters, 2 defensive.  I like what's coming back, but we have to shore up the pass defense against these better spread teams like Mater Dei.  Gets us every time.

And that's my last post about it  LOL!  

31 minutes ago, kingtut said:

Thank you.  I stand corrected.  I was there at Reitz bowl too.  I guess I successfully erased that game from my memory. 🙂

NOt sure but I think SOuthridge had us 35-0 2018 at their place in the 4th and a running clock... but I could be wrong...

Just now, Miner_Pride said:

NOt sure but I think SOuthridge had us 35-0 2018 at their place in the 4th and a running clock... but I could be wrong...

BUT yeah.... very very very rare for Linton!

I wish I could have met any of you who were at the game...  Once I get in that booth... that's where I am!  Any by the time I get out of the booth.... the carnival is gone.  I didn't even get the chance to speak to the 5 out-going seniors.... but I will send each my customary thank you message.  I guess it's sometimes better that way, I just like to look them in the eye one last time in that Miner Uni....and genuinely let them know they are a part of the brotherhood.. win or lose for today, tomorrow and forever more.  Yeah.. a little dramatic perhaps.. but you understand if you played the game.   

WOW!!!  this sounds like a heller game!!   PC certainly was ready...   Good luck to WW and Congrat to the Commodores on the effort!

Well folks.... it's clear my Miners have a long way to go to get to the next level of success with the like of Mater Dei.  There was just too much talent across the board.  I thought we could match up in the run game, altho Humphrey busted for 30 on the first MD play.  Overall they had just 67 rush yards...BUT... as was my fear... 289 yards in the air... and they were game busters.  4 Touchdowns... 38 yards, 65 yards, 38 yards each for scores.. others went for 30 to the miner 4, 36 on a 3rd and 10;  34 and 26 on other plays.  And more scary is most every time these Wildcats were wide open.  Any pass the receiver slipped at the 2 or it would have been another long TD pass.   Our defense could get nowhere near Wunderlich...no pressure. So he could just stand there and survey.  McDurmon from the slot seemed open every pass play.  I will say 2 catches Taylor #86 made were just beauties of a pass and catch.  We just don't see much of that during the season at Linton.  We just dont see that level of talent in all four positions...as well as at QB, or OLine or RB. in one game.  

Then there was Linton inability.. again.. to get any offense going to help the cause.  I had a little hope after the opening series got 2 first down to midfield...and almost thought we'd go for it on 4th n short...but play field position was good.  Altho...in one play that switch around.  Linton's possessions started a their own 24, 14, 4, 25, 22 and 16 in the first half.  We touched Mater Dei territory once at their 47, lost a yard, then punted.  We could not run inside...  and couldn't outside..  and the already limited passing game couldn't open things up.  Oh the numbers look much better than they really were. 144 rushing, 102 passing.. but clearly the majority of that came once Coach Goebel brought in the 2nd teamers early on.  In fact 126 of LInton's 246 yards came against those 2nd team... as did the 20 points scored.  Had MD elected to leave starters in I'm sure they'd of put up more points and yards.  The starting O was done at 8:47 of the 3rd quarter up 37 to 0.  

I feel for my Miner players and coaches because this was the game they were looking for all year.  At minimum I hoped we play a much better game, be competitive and not come away with the big loss we had the last 2 years.  At most, I hoped that we could make some plays to stay close or be ahead and put ourselves in a position to win.  I knew that would take a mistake free effort and most likely some breaks go our way.  Well...I was pleased at least we didn't have fumbles, interceptions, penalties  or anything blocked this year... so we didn't create our own demise...  other than trying to field a kickoff that might gone out of bounds or reach endzone... that put us at our own 4 down 7-0.   None of that made any difference tho.  Once MD dialed in where to attack...it was just crossing fingers on every pass play.  A big play was the 3rd and goal from the Miner 10... Linton had held from the 4, and a hold here would have probably brought out Atherton.  Looked like we had Turner covered....and stopped but he alertly thrust the ball over the goal line for 6.  MD might have just gone for it on 4th and so short any way.  

So another year ends for my Miners.  I can't say how fortunate I feel as well a happy I am for this team and the 5 seniors... that we actually got in all 12 games!  Teams all over the state, and many right here in the wabash valley had parts of their season cancelled or couldn't play in the games Friday.  I would have loved to have seen the ROY packed in typical Linton fashion for such a big game...but at least we were playing.   My best wishes go to the Wildcats as they rematch Triton Central... hoping both teams can stay Covid Free and let it get settled on the field.  Definitely the better team won, and to Coach Goebel and the Mater Dei Wildcats I congratulate on the win.

I also congratulate our seniors--  Landon and Damiel Giles, Trey Goodman, Levi Grounds, and Braymon Lannan.  8-4 is a solid season.  A lot of memories for Linton you've been a part of for 4 years.  You brought Linton back to a sectional Championship game for the first time since state title team in 2016.   Linton will bring back a lot of talent in 2021...and it's sure to be another good year of Miner Football, but we've got to do something to step up to the levels of Southridge and Mater Dei if we want to get rid of this terrible feeling each post-season.  That will take work all year long to get stronger, faster, and get more numbers in uniform as well!

Congrats as well for Coach Oliver, Coach Mark, Coach Jake...and all the Miner Coaching staff....    The end of my 21st year of broadcasting Miner Football too.

Yeah it woulda been nice to put faces to these names and have a handshake and a laugh pregame tonight at the Roy.  I really have made some great friends over the years at various schools we've played...   Last year I got down to the bowl so late....all i could do was set up.. get ready...pens laid out... paper... computer screen at the ready... look up... 7-0 Cats....  eeeeesh. 

4 minutes ago, South Paw said:

I agree. It has been an enjoyable discussion. I love the passion and pride that you and others have for the Miner program. It's great for the game and for high school sports. I no longer believe all of the bad things my friends in Sullivan say about you guys (only joking of course). I'm glad these kids are getting an opportunity to have this experience with all of the craziness going on. Hopefully some sense of normalcy will return soon. Best of luck tonight and prayers for a good, clean game with no injuries!

ahh LOL... well.... if you believe what they say.. you GOTTA believe what we say too!!  it's only Fair.   My dad was head football coach over there for 3 years.... we moved up from Kentucky.  So I was an Arrow... wait.. just a Dart...  and Dad got the axe but ended up Athletic Director at Linton... I was in 6th grade.  There was already a much heated hatred rivalry from years back... but it got real for me about then!!!!  

27 minutes ago, MDAlum82 said:

To me, this is all just part of the experience and often the part we remember most years later.  I remember throwing those kids passes but couldn't tell the game, the score, etc if my life depended on it.   

Lordy that was me in elementary....  those little footballs the cheerleaders would fire up in the stands... well I had about 3 of them.   Me and my friends would find a patch of clearing something around the field... and just start wailing on each other  Then a group from the other side would kinda stare us down LOL... yeah.. we'd be 9 or 10...   so soon enough it was game time ...  we had little idea of what was actually happening in the real game unless we heard a loud roar.. or the action came to our end of the endzone.    Sometimes on the road it was a hill.. like at North Knox, others behind the bleachers at Sullivan etc.  At Greencastle an on older girl just came up and flattened me.. busted my nose... I went scurrying to the stands with mom.. "Why are you up here?  You are never up here".... I guess she couldn't see my shiny nose or watery eyes!

I love to just soak in the High School environment... usually pregame I stroll the field... in and out of the players... the locker room... talk to people.  Smell the food on the grills, the popcorn popped, the smell of the grass, the crack of the field drums from the band, the sound of cleats on the concrete,   "Set... go"  400 times....   the buildup....   the looks on the kids eyes.   The sound of the pads popping.  The loud music blasting in lockerooms, the sound of tape being cut to wrap ankles.. and of course that locker-room stench that is one of a kind!! 

29 minutes ago, MDAlum82 said:

EXACTLY!  Very well put.  MD "recruits" new kids everytime they face the crowd and raise their helmets after victory.  Kids of all ages are sitting in the stands (at least in a normal year!)see that and want to be a part of it.  I imagine this is no different than most successful programs be it sports, band, cheer, STEM, etc.  Success breeds success.

You know I agree with this...  Honestly.. going back over Linton rosters randomly... we hover in the 50's most years..  52 in 2008, 59 in 2013  50 in 2012.   But it's definitely true that winning breeds success.... annndd participation.   I know it seem most years Linton has a couple kids who come out and go through everything.. .just to be on the team and run on the field and feel a part of something... even knowing they will only get out there in action in a blow-out.  For sure it's because of the excitement it brings..and the pride they feel being part of something that is held with high respect in the community.  Our upperclassmen are idolized by the little kids who scurry around the north endzone (when they could...)... they wear their youth league jerseys, their junior high jerseys proudly.   Every year the varsity starters will simulate a game with the little guys... it is always an awesome thing to see.  I have a few pictures over the years... but it's just cool to see future Miners piling up on one of the senior athletes.. dragging him down for a tackle. 

For me ... it's very sad to say this... I just think alot of kids don't care.  JUSt don't.  They don't wanna put forth any effort into anything.  If there is hard work involved... they'd just as soon sit at home and play games on their phone or computer for hours upon hours.  I think there are kids who normally would get involved in something.. be it band, any kind of sport, or just some club interests... but naaahh... no interest in that.  We see it in the young kids coming up through the leagues... then junior high. I believe this year we had many kids that simply decided not to play in our JR High team... the numbers are way down.  Kids walking around the hall who are good players...and could be valuable as they get older on the field.  no reason...just..ahh.. decided not to play.  Now...I know that kids decide not to play all the time...I had friends who said football just wasn't fun... wasn't their thing.. so I know you are  gonna lose a certain % early on.  Some come back... others never do....still others go one to be very successful in another sport or in any thing else.  

I guess my concern is that we keep losing numbers.  We have kids fall through the cracks, mix with wrong crowds, get in a rut. We are not remotely a big city by any means.  But the elements are out there believe me.  Linton has had some great behind the scenes success with football kids who were in a tough home life, or just in situations you hate to see anyone in.   Kids just floating through school with no direction sometime just need to feel part of something.. to be valued.    As Linton started winning in 1a and getting sectional titles... regionals.. .and getting noticed.   Kids wanted to be part of it...   the home crowd scenes were always such a big deal.  As you mention with MD... Linton has a long list of generational players... in my time of doing the radio I have read off names of kids who grandpa played on that field, of course their dad, Uncle, older brothers...  makes me feel kinda old!!!

1 hour ago, itiswhatitis said:

I was using 75 because someone else said they had the roster in their hand and that was the number they quoted in their post.   Don't know the source they were using.  I do know the integrity of the poster and they wouldn't exaggerate or lie.  

that was me... in my prepping for the game.. I was sent a post-season MAter Dei Roster from MD... 75 names.   I know that doesn't mean all 75 dress...and some are injured I'm sure...

we haven't had a freshman team in years.. I don't know that I ever remember one since waaaay back maybe 70's.  We played some "C" games this year... but our JV against bigger schools C... we just don't have number.  I know your numbers say other wise... but jeez I can't imagine 52 boys in a class.. .. we only have 5 seniors this year.. .but a large junior class...and it looks scary down the road.. our junior high turnout is low...  Kids today... at least in our neck of the woods... simply do NOT want to put the work in... they don't want to do it... they wanna sit at home.. play video game and be on the phone.... it's a real shame.   everyone one wants the reward without the dedication..  

26 minutes ago, MDAlum82 said:

The only "non-public" schools that exist in Evansville are the two catholic schools, Mater Dei & Memorial, Evansville Day School - a true private school ($$$), and Evansville Christian School, which opened 3-4 yrs ago.  What people cannot seem to grasp - or simply don't want to - about the "recruiting" situation btwn these schools is there really isn't any to speak of. There is a lot of family tradition and territorial loyalty that exist among Mater Dei & Memorial famlies.

Generally, kids who grow up on the East side and attend the east deanery schools, attend Memorial.  Kids from the west side and west deanery school, generally attend Mater Dei.  I say "generally" because there are a number of kids, esp on the west side, who leave the catholic feeder schools to attend Reitz.  Academically, Reitz is a very well-regarded school, easily on par with MD with none of the extra cost. That is a factor for some families.  Rarely do west side kids end up at Memorial or vice versa. 

As an example, Paul McIntosh, the great QB of what are considered to be some of the best Reitz teams ever, was a west side catholic feeder school kid who could have gone to MD but chose RHS.  It is rare for kids who attended EVSC grade schools to attend MD.  It does happen, but very rarely.  I say this as a past member of the Evv Catholic School Board, privy to the numbers from all school across the Diocese & EVSC.

Thanks for this info MDAlum82...  I had alot of family in Evansville for a long time... always knew that family tradition played a big role in schools...  I recall Evansville Lincoln back in the way back maching... not to mention Rex Mundi.. where'd they figure in that mix?

16 minutes ago, WWFan said:

I wonder what anyone knows and Covenant Christian. Only lost by 13 last year to Lutheran. Seemingly better this year. But yes I agree Lutherans should be the favorite to win the South. I swear to God they are!

Its his younger brother. But sadly I think the last of them. But he's just a sophomore. Maybe we can find some more soon...🤣

Covenant Christian...   no kidding... 1st season 2015...  11-0 today... and they .. well I was about to say they haven't play anyone.. then I saw they beat Heritage Christian pretty good!

24 minutes ago, Donnie Baker said:

I can see WW winning a regional this year. Semi state you’ll run into South Putnams or Lutherans. Lutherans has been my pick all year. Should’ve had it last year and you know they’re on a mission from God this year! I gotta go 

state law? 

McPheeters.....  eeesh that name sounds familiar! LOL!

I will be pulling for our friends from Southridge!!   Good luck to both teams staying healthy and covid free...

Bottom line... we have to compete.  Linton has to line up and play football to the best of out ability.  It isn't going to make any difference how many red n gold uni's are lined up on that sideline.. it gonna be the one across from you on the field... the other 10 against 10.  I'll agree that over all quantity does not necessarily mean over all quality.  You can't put a number on heart, effort and determination.  This is week 12, and we are still.. will still I hope... playing football this Friday night.  The weather looks to be outstanding.  This is all we can ask for is the opportunity to play in a game like this.  I'll never forget seeing Ritter run on the field at Linton back in our 1A days in a semi state...and thinking holy moly... how many can there be for a 1A School.   But we fought them twice in those days to the wire.  Mater Dei has great tradition, and I respect that tradition...and the fact they battle a hell of a schedule year in and out and are almost always in the discussion in the SIAC and beyond.  We simply have to win a game like this to move up the ladder.  We've not been competitive in any of the 3 games I know of... and the last two I have seen first hand from the broadcast booth.  If we give it our best shot, and can eliminate the mistakes along the way... I will be proud of my Miners.  But it's gonna take 4 solid quarters of making plays, and not helping Mater Dei... tackling, making catches, and I think getting some pressure on the QB is important. 

6 minutes ago, Uncle Rico said:

Yes that is not all the freshman football players at Mater Dei.  I believe the freshman team had around 25 kids.

those must be the lucky ones who get to dress for post-season...  i bet that's a big honor too.