Tommy

It’s been really exciting ride in the 219 the last few weeks:

1.  Valpo wins 5A state title.  First for Valpo since 1975 and first for the DAC since 1993.

2.  Valpo’s Bill Marshall wins 2022 COY.

3.  Craig Buzea to be enshrined into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame

4.  Andrean’s Drayk Bowen named 2022 Indiana Mr. Football.  First in the history of the 219.

This is as good as life gets around here.  LET’S KEEP IT UP!!!

219 BABY!!!

On 12/9/2022 at 5:54 PM, npcougar15 said:

I know Indiana has open enrollment and I doubt a kid would drive from Indianapolis to Nappanee every day just for football purposes (which doesn't make sense anyways for someone with an SEC offer already). But isn't it a little odd for a high school student to announce they are "transferring". I just find that verbiage a little off putting at the high school level. 

Family is moving.

Warren Central DB Jo’ziah “Jo Jo” Edmond (IFCA 6A junior all state selection) has transferred to NorthWood High School in Nappanee for his senior year.

The Panthers and the Northern Lakes Conference are getting a good one.

Can't you just buy your ticket for $15.00 when you arrive at Lucas Oil Stadium?

Do they use a wider goal post for the state finals games or do the teams kick into the narrower NFL goal posts?

I noticed the have the two sets of hash marks on the field.

5 hours ago, BTF said:

15-14 

Final

Valpo has now won four of the last 5 regional championships in football.

On 9/24/2022 at 8:53 PM, Piratefan101 said:

Chesterton @ lake central: Chesterton has struggled as of late while lake central is on the rise! Lake central is looking to have there first winning season since 2014!! I’ll take the Indians at home! Lake central 28-21

Crown point @ Laporte: nothing to say here! Merrillville just held Laporte to around 50 yards total for the game. So Crown point 35-7! 

Michigan city @ portage: jaden hart and Michigan city will right the pack this week! Michigan city 35-21

Valparaiso @ merrillville: Valpo really struggled with crown point which was shocking to everyone. They could T move the ball at all 2nd half! Merrillville has done better with all the common opponents. Justin Marshall injured for merrillville? Or was it rest? Only time will tell! Merrillville still has to many weapons 

45-28 merrillville 

Michigan City came into the season with 9 new starters on defense.  Most of last years semi-state state team either graduated, quit or got kicked off the team due to an incident at school last year.

Hard to believe how irrelevant Portage has become in varsity football.  Easy to see why Russ Radtke did not want to stay there.

An honorary street sign has been installed at the entrance of Charles Wescott Park on Michigan Boulevard in Michigan City memorializing coach Bob "Bear" Falls that reads "Bear Falls Way".

On 6/22/2022 at 11:04 PM, DT said:

Michigan City Rogers and Elston consolidated and became the Michigan City Wolves.

Rockville and Turkey Run consolidated and became the Parke Heritage Wolves

Hammond High absorbed Clark and Gavit and became the Hammond Central Wolves?

Elkhart Memorial and Central consolidated and became the Elkhart Lions.  Thank you Elkhart. 

WTF???

Is Indiana suddenly being run over by starving packs of ravenous Wolves?

 

Michigan City High School student l body was given a list of nicknames to vote on when Elston and Rogers consolidated and Wolves was selected.  I thought they should have become the Cohos as for decades Michigan City has been renounced as the Coho fishing capitol of the Midwest.

Whiting has hired former East Chicago head coach Mark Hildalgo as their new field general.

He was most recently coach wrestling and was a football assistant at River Forest.

Many recall he was an assistant on Craig Buzea's staff at Portage in 2006.

On 6/2/2022 at 3:39 PM, Whiting89 said:

Why do school members get a say in this? Shouldn’t the athletic director have final decision? In the real world a direct supervisor would decide hiring decisions. 

Just heard LP school board member Jim Arnold on the radio yesterday morning.  He said that they held an executive session on Monday to discuss the matter an La Porte will have a new football coach after their next school board meeting on Monday.

There is now a Facebook page:. Support coach James as the next football coach at LPHS.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/1215952405842295/

96-7 The Eagle radio station is giving away these posters from 10AM to 5PM today.  I am going to get one and have Bob James sign it for me.

What a cakewalk for Merrillvile in class 5A sectional 9 and Crown Point in 6A sectional 1.

When is the IHSAA going to announce the sectional assignments?

They usually have them out by April.

23 hours ago, Bobref said:

Coach Sharpe’s leaving had nothing to do with the school. Rather, it was a family matter. As for Coach Ortiz, I’m just musing, but Buzz has had some health issues. Who knows how long he’ll be there?

Buzea is a master recruiter and Dave Ortiz has three middle school aged sons. I think that is why he wanted him to come and rejoin him on his staff at Crown Point.  When Buzea left Portage for Michigan City the program was on probation from the IHSAA for recruiting players from East Chicago.

2 hours ago, DACNUT said:

Wow, is all I have to say for LaPorte. Always tough players, great fan and community support, just have not been able to sustain success over the years as Michigan City and New Prairie have ascended the last several years. Is this finally the time people look hard at Roy Richards? LaPorte is in a bad place with Valparaiso now in their sectional and Michigan City already there.

Crown Point is looking to be a major player in 6A sooner rather than later. A strong coaching staff, parents and community who will support the program, and administration as well, all the ingredients needed. With Merrillville out of the way, outside of Hamilton County, they have a chance with the rest of the north. Crown Point will challenge Merrillville, Valpo, and MC this year for the top spots in the DAC. 

Valpo is not in La Porte's sectional anymore.

1 hour ago, Bobref said:

Do you know what year he played at Portage? And what position he played?

David Ortiz was a senior wide receiver on Portage's 1994 5A state runner up team.  Nick Wellman was his quarterback.  Ortiz led the state in receiving the that year. Was also a great baseball player. Had a great college career at the former St. Joesph college.  Was a member of Buzea's and Mike Karpinski's staff at Michigan City before moving on to La Porte.  Very well liked guy among all the players he coaches.

Per Michiana Football After one season La Porte Head coach David Ortiz has resigned to join Craig Buzea's staff at Crown Point 

Slicers will be looking for the 4th head coach in 5 seasons.

8 hours ago, Whiting89 said:

Can he go as a graduate transfer and not sit out?

 

He has not graduated yet.  He was supposed to graduate in December.

The way style between the style of offense Grand Valley runs, the weakness of the schedule and the overall weakness of the conference that Grand Valley plays in he just does not get enough carries to showcase his talents.  Most of of his games are halftime blowouts leaving him standing in the sidelines in the 2nd half watching the sophomores and redshirt freshmen play.

13 hours ago, Whiting89 said:

Is he good? Lateral, up or down transfer?

Going into last season Buck was named as one of the top Division II running backs in the nation.  He was was limited with the number of carries on 2021 due to the running back by committee style of offense that Grand Valley State runs. 

He will have to transfer to another D2 or D3 program because if he goes to a D1 program he will have to sit out another year.

He would really like to transfer the University of Georgia.  Aryuan Cain-Veasey and Bulldogs CB Kelee Ringo are cousins.

Just wanted to pass along that RB Aryuan Cain-Veasey (Michigan City '17) has decided to transfer from Grand Valley State for his senior year of college football.

On 3/18/2022 at 11:01 AM, Yuccaguy said:

Missouri played their Title games at:  Mizzou and Missouri State. 

Kentucky played theirs at: UK and Western Kentucky

Illinois played at UI-Champaign and now at NIU 

 

No idea of where you are getting your "information"  

 

So you are telling me that D1 recruiters cannot attend high school camps, combined and 7 on 7s but their campus can host tournament games?