gbjemler

I was there both days working...my 2 cents. Pylon hired an outside security group who did an awesome job of checking wrist bands. Wrong wristband color? not allowed on field level. Parents had great excuses to try and get by them...my kid needs his drink, my kid needs his bag. They did not let anybody without the proper colored band through. Westfield PD was also very present. 4 to 5 officers in shifts roaming the fields and concourse areas. Now parents could yell at the refs from above, but no parents were downstairs that I could see. There was an "in your face" attitude with most receptions especially touchdowns. The DB's would also get mouthy on a good pass break up. Kids being kids emulating the pros and occasionally a flag was thrown for taunting, but I did not necessarily see any repercussions. Here was a big problem. Team A 15U is playing Team B 15U. Team A 13U, 14U, 16U etc were on the sidelines watching and cheering for their club team. So, on a great catch instead of the receiver taunting the DB on a singular basis, 30 kids would run down and taunt the DB and vice versa. Lots and Lots of chippy talking. Words I don't use. on and on and on every game. These are some seriously talented kids and clubs. A Pittsburgh team (421 Black, think they were 16's, evidently had 6-7 guys verbally committed) Other clubs the same. Several teams with 14 year olds with offers. The brawl happened between 2 clubs that have been "feudin" and continue to feud as they play in these tournaments. It was brewing and brewing on Saturday and Sunday and finally came to a head. The Westfield PD was on it early. It started and the officers were already in EC1 area ready for something. They sensed it. The brawl starts and soon after, the North doors open and 10-12 more officers are in there. It did not last very long. The problem again....too many players from clubs on the field watching their club play. So, a fight starts here, then there, then over there. Kids joining in the adult fight. 3-4 people kicking one guy. You can see jerseys with numbers on them. It was not just the adults. Kids were defending their coaches and jumping in. Several teams just ran to the corners to get out of the mess. Pretty smart. Can't say enough about Westfield PD and the Grand Park Event Center staff. One of the Pylon people had already left, and another said she had to leave too with about 90 minutes before it was done. GP ops said if you leave, we're closing it down. She stayed. There were no other issues with fighting. On a side note...Brownsburg had a 12-U group. On defense, they were running 2-3 different kinds of defensive zone reads and 2-3 different man to man defenses. Called from the side lines with hand signals. Kids were all talking pre-snap and during the play, passing receivers off to safeties. Well-coached. Smart kids. The only reason I got to watch this intently was it was the last game. The team they were playing was just as good. That is what I want to remember about that Sunday. My 2 cents

To Southwood AD Tom Finicle...Nice work right there my friend!!

He had ATH O LETES! Some of the best athletic talent Southwood ever had on the boys side came through the halls. All homegrown talent. Same group made serious basketball runs as well. That being said...Dave Snyder was a great coach for that group as he let them spread it out and fly. It helped that the Blair kid could throw it anywhere he wanted. Even before that group came through, Coach Snyder was able to utilize the athletes he had in his spread O. John Burris on the basketball side did the same thing as well. Stifling full court press 2/3 zone and let the kids run and shoot....because they could. Both coaches found the scheme that fit the kids. Not as many Jimmy's and Joe's right now.

Per South Bend Tribune Mishawaka Marian open Michael Davidson resigns after 8 years.

Eastbrook looks really really good right now. But the second round is Rochester who is just stomping people. They have a mean streak to them right now. Winner of this sectional runs into more than likely Adams Central. Dousy of a tournament in that part of the State.

Well...except Peru did beat Mac

Any thoughts?

With all due respect to you and the other posters...I do not believe that a single poster here (on this particular thread) is a "Plymouth Person" giving excuses about their program. Many of the posters are talking about demographics of hispanic population, numbers for FB in general etc. If you look at the names of the posters and then the names of the schools they are associated with...Highland, Warsaw, Whiting, Frankfort etc...none of these posters are "plymouth people" giving excuses. I believe it when you say "Excuses start at the top." But it seems with this thread, there is nobody from "the top" making excuses. my 2 cents

Thank you for your responses...I try not to criticize referees as they are doing a job I would never want to do. High School sports does not function without their sacrifice away from their families to call games. I just was looking for some perspective and your answers gave me that perspective. So thank you to all three of you for your answers. And if you are or were referees, thank you for your service. We can scrub this topic off the site now if moderators want to do that.

did not want to post on normal board. Referees have a thankless job and I appreciate what they do for the kids....Peru wins in the end so it does not matter I guess....but.... 5 seconds left in regulation at Oak Hill last Friday in semis. Oak Hill lines up for game winning field goal from inside the 5 yard line. Peru kid seems to time it perfectly and blocks the field goal. Peru scoops and runs the ball all the way back some 90 yards into the end zone. No flag for offsides anywhere on the field. The referees meet and discuss the play and call Peru offsides after the discussion. Still no flag, touchdown called back, and Oak Hill gets the ball moved half the distance. Time put back on the clock and Oak Hill subsequently fumbles the snap. Again...Peru wins in the end, but I still can't figure out the offsides call with no flag and the 2 (literally 2) minute discussion. Help?

Would be tempted to take Tippy Valley and the points. Strength of schedule hurts Valley some.

Great discussion on economics related to football. Tried looking for the longest rivalry...found on Wikipedia (I know I know) Peru VS Logansport started in 1902 and is the "Longest continuous rivalry in the state of Indiana." I know this is not part of the topic of Warsaw's new Fight Song from a previous poster (hilarious I might add, but true), but it does fill in a blank of some sort.

Coach Curtis fears nobody. Bobref....I thought Logansport vs Peru was the longest running rivalry in football for Indiana. Wonder where one could find that info...

Very Nice Summary...thank you

Hey Maroon man Growing up as a kid, Steele Stadium I believe was named "Tupper Field." Do you know the history on that name? Always wondered. What year did they change? Thinking around 1980 or 1981?