BDGiant93

Ben Davis's State Championship and/or Legacy Undefeated Teams (For consideration) State Championship 1987 (12-2) (PF 25.5, PA 7.1 MOV 18.4) 1988 (14-0) (PF 35.5, PA 6.6 MOV 29.1) 1990 (13-1) (PF 36.1, PA 7.8 MOV 28.3) 1991 (14-0) (PF 46.5, PA 8.9 MOV 37.6) 1999 (15-0) (PF 31.2, PA 8.9 MOV 22.3) 2001 (15-0) (PF 43.3, PA 10.1 MOV 33.2) 2002 (12-3) (PF 35.1, PA 11.3 MOV 23.8) 2014 (12-2) (PF 41.9, PA 26.6 MOV 15.3) 2017 (14-0) (PF 47.4, PA 15.1 MOV 32.3) 2023 (13-1) (PF 40.3, PA 18.1 MOV 22.2) Undefeated 1950 (7-0-1) (PF 16.8, PA 3.4 MOV 13.4)

Seconded. Also, the 2001 Ben Davis team doesn't get much talk, but they were fantastic on both sides of the ball.

They advanced to the Semistate under Al Harants. Want to say...1993 or 1994.

I think I misunderstood you. Sorry. I thought you were saying Mann was arrogant.

Well, he's above .500 🤣

Dick Dullaghan lost a total of 42 games at Ben Davis, and 15 were in the first three years. Other than the 1993 season where they lost their last three games to finish 5-4, I'm not sure what down years you're talking about. As far as the "national schedule" goes and leaving the MIC, that's silly. It seems that recruiters are finding their way to the Westside. I see them every day during the contact periods. Scheduling isn't easy. What makes you say that?

76-7 in 2006 and if not for Tandon Doss, it would have been 76-0. Doss returned a kick. I still can't explain that game. BD wasn't going to win, but that was one of the weirdest snowball games I've ever seen. Evans couldn't be stopped that night. Tutsie wanted to put it on BD, too. They did! Took the loss, had a carryover the next week vs. TH North but then won out until a much less lopsided by still awful 42-7 loss in Regional to WC.

I think a great coach (ala Eric Moore) can make a big difference.

For what it's worth, they called him. It's my understanding that he didn't pursue it. Have you taken a look at Russ's resume? It was his first head coaching job, but it wasn't his first state title. Russ is very analytical. I really respect the way he came in, listened to the people he needed to listen to, got tremendous buy-in from the players and motivated them. BD was absolutely loaded last year on both sides of the football. Can't deny that. They had a very good kicker. They got lucky at the right times, but they aren't there without that really good group of seniors.

Jason's a good man and obviously a good coach or he wouldn't be at Purdue right now. His first year was a disaster. He was hired in March. Kirschner had left in December. The Giants were losing 50+ seniors and most of the assistants were moving on or going elsewhere. Jason came in, and that first 3-7 year was a struggle. The other years were head scratchers. I know the Giants were benefitted by having the easiest 6A Sectional for a couple of those years, but they still pulled upsets to reach the Semi-State. They were fairly close that second year to Center Grove. The other years, I think they probably left some wins on the table, but I think Jason would admit that. Not the first time that's happened with Brownsburg vs. BD...over multiple coaches. Tom went 25-12 and was at Ben Davis when Warren was rolling. Tom's middle year was a struggle, but his first year was a 10-3 year where they lost three games by a total of 4 points and were probably a fumble recovery from beating WC in the Regional. Year 2 was not good. The Giants had a year where they couldn't settle on a QB. The third year for Tom, I think, had BD ranked #2 in the preseason poll. They went 9-4 with the horrible loss at Warren where every QB in the program got hurt. They had to start a sophomore against TH North and lost that one. They lost at Carmel and then took another loss at Warren. That, was, of course Warren's 2006 team that is in the convo for best-ever in the state.

False. I don't think you can say that for sure.

So explain North Central. They've been in the top 5-10 in enrollment in the state for years yet their football relevance, except for a brief time under George Pappas and Al Harants, has largely been not there past a season here or there. Certainly, they have one of the best athletic programs in the state. They've had success in almost every sport. They've had great coaches there like Mark Haste, Rick Streiff, Kevin O'Shea, etc. They've had supportive ADs and admin. I mean, Paul Loggan (RIP), is/was still one of the most respected football people of his time. It's more than enrollment, isn't it?

I honestly have no idea who he is. I just know he's been here for a long time.

Ben Davis had around 3,000 kids or so in 1991. I believe North Central was the state's largest back then. In 1991, no one touched that team. No one. They stepped on the field and you were beaten. The closest game they had was at state vs. Penn, and they led 38-0 before giving up 14. I think that there were more good teams in 2017. Heck, Warren nearly beat BD in the Sectional.

I didn't write it, but many of Ben Davis's football players are in track, too. After all, BD's boys track coach, Mike Davidson, was a football coach from like 1989-2016 or so.

Center Grove has been successful and they are socioeconomically advantaged in that area. That was my point...inartfully made.

Dick Dullaghan used to say, "Speed kills...just like on the highway."

I stand by my answer. Do you think Center Grove is the Sisters of the Poor?

I think when you start comparing teams to other teams...yes. For example, the 1991 Ben Davis team vs. the 2017 Ben Davis team. They both were undefeated and won state. They both were dominant. I'd argue the landscape of Indiana High School Football was much tougher in 2017 than 1991. Maybe I'm wrong. They both weight the same because they hung a plaque, but when we start cussing and discussing the strength of each team, I have to think 2017 was better. Does that make sense?

Can confirm @KmartGiant has been around these here parts as long as I have. Probably since K-Mart was still a national thing...at least since the one on Washington Street on the Westside was open.

Cathedral was very close last year. That Ben Davis game in the Regional was a classic. You are 100 percent correct. Last year, they were loaded.

The usual suspects will be in the hunt in 6A, and it will come down to whomever wins the South Semi-State...even though Carmel should be much improved this year. They were fairly young last year. As far as Ben Davis goes, scheduling is hard. It really is. The Giants face the same issues as some of the other 6A powerhouses. No one wants to play them. A "national schedule" sounds great until you dig into the logistics. The MIC was formed because of scheduling, and it's not going to change now. Pike and Avon belly up to the bar every year when others decide to come and go off the schedule for no apparent good reason. Hopefully Cathedral sticks around on the schedule for the long term unlike the team they ultimately replaced who decided a 10 minute drive wasn't as good for them as going to Fort Wayne. My two cents.

It was incredibly unprofessional conduct by a journalist. Giving heart signs to a female basketball player then compounding it with what he said. You can't do that as the "columnist of record" for the Star.

I don't think it was an overreaction. You can't say what he said. If he had left it after the gesture (which was weird in itself), then it would have been just awkward. This was more than awkward. It was creepy and unnecessary.

To me, it seems like the transfer rules are applied unevenly. Some rather eyebrow-raising ones sail right through. Others that seem like slam dunks are held up or denied or have to go through the courts. I don't have a problem with the one free transfer as long as undue influence is not allowed. I also think what some schools do...which is right on the line...needs to be reviewed. Finally, you should be scrutinized if you are a lay head coach with AAU ties.