Gipper

I’m happy for places like Lincoln County, NV, Harlan, IA, and South Panola, MS just like I’m happy for the big boys of De la Salle, CA, Aquinas, FL, and Sr. Ignatius Prep, OH: just have tenacity despite your lack of a talent pool or numbers...

Been by Crown Point and Lake Central many times, just OK. Munster—not bad, Whiting is pretty cool, Hanover Central—meh, Portage is pretty nice. I also like Andrean’s and although I’m not sure if you’d count Rensselaer as NWI, I’ve always liked their football stadium. I remember back in the 1980s, they had a replica on a WWII era bomber at their gate entrance—pretty cool.

I haven’t been to all of them, but here’s my take: The Inferno, Lowell: call me a homer, but it’s got a great old school feel. A natural grass playing surface, great concessions, and an awesome student section. Ames Field, Michigan City: only been there once or twice, but it looks great from the Franklin Street. Demaree Stadium, Merrillville: looks very imposing from I-65. Part of a good looking athletic complex Chesterton: great stands and playing surface, third DAC, stadium—something’s gotta give... Valparaiso: ...maybe not. Boone Grove also plays their home games there, must be an OK place. Football is very big in the region. Sure, the DAC and NCC may not rack up state championships like the MIC, but there are a lot of great rivalries up here which make it fun.

Absolutely! It needs to be celebrated as all sports do. Who doesn’t miss them now? I went to the zoo just to boo the Bears and Lions. Football, like all other sports, brings people together.

Flag, 6, 8, 11 man football—all good in my book

No worries, it looks like I’m playing the part of Cliff Clavin as opposed to Joe Buck, Paul Finnebaum, or any other tackle football guru.

Some are historical while other lists are current.

Backed to winged helmets. Pioneer is not alone as they’re also worn by Bellevue HS in Washington state.

Trinity High in Louisville is Kentucky’s best historical program according to stadiumtalk.com.

Some of these lists are historical, while others are current. I also saw DeMatha Catholic in Maryland was on the list which was interesting because they’re also a basketball power.

In true Gipper fashion of talking to myself, it is stadiumtalk.com

Interesting, lots of lists out there: Illinois: Joliet Catholic (stadium.com), Nazareth (maxpreps.com) Tennessee: Brentwood Academy is the best on both sites (although there are many more), so they must be pretty good Connecticut: New Canaan (s), Greenwich (mp)—both are located in uber wealthy locales, so there’s that, just like the best programs in Ohio & Pennsylvania are Catholic school Alabama: Hoover (s), Penix City (mp)—feeder systems for Auburn and Bama Indiana? Yeah, we got some press, too: Cathedral (s) and Warren Central (mp) which are not that surprising. there are 43 more that are not that much of a surprise, Saguaro in Arizona and Bishop O’Gorman in Nevada. But Arrowhead in Wisconsin?

Back in my day, I didn't always play with a helmet, isn't it apparent?

I'm a fan of simplicity: Crown Points script "Dogs", Lowell's pitchfork design, and Valpo's "V". Andrean just features a plain gold lid--nice.

Didn’t Princeton have the first winged helmet?

What about the murder hornets?

I've always been impressed with the Stars--a smaller school in a rural area who gets it done--keep it up, guys!!!

Good Luck!!!