Tommy

Portage should might as well just rehired Wally McCormack,

Last minute of the interview coach Radtke states, “We are in it for the long haul.”

What a bunch if BS.

23 hours ago, Indiana Fan said:

I think that looks about right. Valpo is also very close with their enrollment

Don't forget that the two Hammond schools are closing and consolidating.

Going to be quite a commute every day.  Without going into much detail, coach Radtke and his wife if 48 years Jane reside on the eastern outskirts of Valpo in Washington Township.
 

It is very sad and depressing that Portage can’t retain a good football coach anymore.

It is nice to see some QBs are getting a shot at the NFL. 

Looks like the region is getting shut out this year.

Does anybody have a list of those who played high school football in Indiana and were selected in the 2020 NFL draft or signed as an undrafted free agent?  Name, position, high school, college, NFL team, round, etc.

57 minutes ago, MarkCalaway said:

I hope the lighting of the football stadiums is not true.  If it is true, we have quickly diluted the power and reverence for the unique symbolism of such an event.  

I figured the idea was inspired by the schools across the state turning on their stadium lights on last year when coach Phillip Bowsman from West Washington funeral was taking place.

Heard a radio interview yesterday morning with our Michigan City Area School superintendent Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins.  She said that on Friday May 1st that they are going to turn the lights on at Ames Field to honor the Class of 2020.  Apparently this is something that several schools are going do to across the state.

She also stated that May 4-8th is teacher appreciation week and has requested to all local business owners that have a marquee our storefront window to display a sign of support to our teachers.  This is something similar that is very commonly done in many communities whenever a team makes a deep run in the IHSAA tournament.  

I was wondering if any of the other schools across the state are planning on doing something similar?

1 minute ago, DT said:

What about Elkhart?  Will they be in this sectional?

I don't like how they are putting grades 10-12 at Memorial and grade 9 at Central but playing all their games at Central's Rice Stadium.

Michigan City tried putting grades 10-12 at Rogers and grade 9 at Elston and it was best decided to put grades 9-12 all under one roof.

Cooper's uncle Rob (left in photo) (Eric's older brother) was the Portage High School junior prom king and my late oldest sister Tonia was the senior prom queen for the class of 1980.  Jerry Lasky was the senior prom king and he is now the principal at Union Township Middle School in Wheeler.  Rob Jones was also the Portage High School Quarterback under Les Klein.  Eric Jones was also the center on Portage's 1988 regional championship basketball team, first Portage team to ever win a regional in boys basketball.  Really nice family.

Just a little more history for those who are interested.

42 minutes ago, Tommy said:

I don’t see it happening for Portage if the is a 2020 football season.  Valpo takes the DAC and Merrillville wins the sectional.

Will be interesting what Sectionals 1 & 2 will be in 2021 when the two Hammond schools close and consolidate.  Valpo will probably be back up to because of enrollment or success factor 6A.

Portage will have to find a way to get past Penn in sectional 2.

I don’t see it happening for Portage if the is a 2020 football season.  Valpo takes the DAC and Merrillville wins the sectional.

Will be interesting what Sectionals 1 & 2 will be in 2021 when the two Hammond schools close and consolidate.  Valpo will probably be back up to because of enrollment or success factor 6A.

During the school day students can go out and have gym class on the turf.

New Portage head coach Russ Radtke says he is a farmer and outside of football he enjoys farming and collecting vintage and antique farm tractors.

Buck's image and likeness is being prominently featured on the Grand Valley State Football season ticket renewal marketing material sent out via the United States Postal Service to season ticket holders. Very cool.

It has been my goal and desire for Buck to become the marketing and promotional face of the GVSU football program during his college years and be featured like pocket schedules, magnet schedules, schedule posters, game programs, marketing promotions, team apparel, give-a-ways and other like items and am expecting to see more of this in the future.

20 hours ago, NP89 said:

I'm just an alum in the bleachers every Friday night. No dogs in the fight, yet.. I'm thankful for the culture that Russ brought to NP. I do hear mixed opinions about him. Maybe it was his time move on.  I'm not in the inner circle but have obsered since Bart had the reigns. I'm assuming Jolio and Ted will stay with Russ. That might sting more than anything. Both appeared to be very respected. IMO Schwingendorf or Whitenack would be excellent candidates for the job. There's lots of great young talent coming up. I think the Coug's will be O.K. 

Article from The Times last week pretty much covers every thing.

https://www.nwitimes.com/sports/high-school/football/q-a-russ-radtke-shares-thoughts-on-leaving-new-prairie/article_701da719-f5fe-5cbc-bd00-fcb73b8af0b3.html

He also told guy from the The Post-Tribune that he is 39 years, he said to his granddaughter that after he reached a certain age he started going backwards.

Jim Peters from the New-Dispatch talked to other area coaches.  When Michigan City and Portage plays each other this season, between the years both coaches spent at Andrean, Michigan City, Griffith and New Prairie it will be the 12th matchup between Russ Radtke and Phil Mason inluding the 5 time Michigan City and New Prairie scrimmaged each other.  

A lot depends on what happens when the two Hammond schools close and consolidate.

I would like to know DT's insights on those who say that if it wasn't for the winless teams there would be no undefeated teams...

Appears that Gary Roosevelt is on life support.

https://www.nwitimes.com/news/education/gary-schools-will-not-invest-in-roosevelt-repairs-plans-to/article_2677f40f-8cbe-5f58-bd60-5d9683b0e3a4.html

2022 XFL Rookie if the Year 

1 hour ago, MICFan34 said:

Attendance Officer/Head Football Coach may be the best title I have ever seen. Where do I sign up for that? 

He will become the 2020s version of Maurice Tolbert/Les Klein.

The man’s name is spelled RadTke.

Statement from Portage High School Athletic Director Fred Joseph:

Portage High School Athletic Director Fred Joseph released the following statement regarding the hiring of Russ Radtke

"On behalf of Portage High School we are proud to announce the hiring of Russ Radtke as the head football coach for the upcoming 2020-2021 season. We were overwhelmed with the amount of interest expressed for the position, as well as the number of quality applicants, and we thank all those who took the time to apply. Coach Radtke’s experience and proven success could not be overlooked. We believe Coach Radtke embodies the very essence of Portage High School and its community, with an emphasis on instilling the virtues of Loyalty, Pride and Dedication (LPD). Coach Radtke has managed to foster and cultivate a winning mentality everywhere he’s been, as evident with his accolades. Coach Radtke is #2 on the all-time winningest current coaches list with 368 victories, and he has led programs to 4 Semi-State titles as well as the 1997 State Championship with Griffith High School."

News blurb from The Times:  https://www.nwitimes.com/high-school/portage/portage-hires-former-griffith-coach-russ-radtke/article_aed9544e-e9c2-5798-b5e7-dbeadb4d2dee.html#tracking-source=home-breaking

Per the Region Sports Network Russ Radtke was hired tonight by the Portage Township School Board of Trustees as the new head varsity football coach.