Basementbias

3 hours ago, Boilernation said:

Does Ohio go neutral in the later rounds or does it start in round 1?

 

They've changed it up by adding teams. I believe round 2 or 3 now but used to be for every week for the most part. I think a few circumstances can make the first 2 rounds now possible. I'll be learning for sure in about 5 years or so.

Ohio has done it throughout the playoffs for years. I have sort of grown fond of the neutral venue. However limit it to regional and semi state. Seed the sectionals fully or top half minimal. Indiana does it right with the all in tournament though!

18 minutes ago, GV5 said:

Not sure I know in the past it had to do with them turning down the CIC because they felt it was a weak basketball conference. To say they turned their nose up to the cic is an understatement. Now it is about fit and or going to 10 teams or dropping a team to stay at 8.

ACAC could pick up Blackford for Southern Wells & Jay County

Why doesn't Lapel join this conference? It would make sense geographically. 

Why can't we let kids be kids? I can see participation numbers becoming a problem in the future. I can also see multi sport athletes feeling pinched and becoming individualized athletes. Both trends that aren't needed. When do kids have time to be with friends or make $ to save up for a car? I can see having some team workouts and lifting. However the 7 on 7s and 11 on 11s seem to be overkill. As has been mentioned, no one wins anything of importance and it doesn't equate to postseason awards all the time. This is something the IHSAA needs to limit or just eradicate in my opinion.

3 hours ago, Bonecrusher said:

I see what you did there. 😉

As a Heritage alum I would love to see them put together a winning season and maybe go a round or two in post.  They seemed to be pretty down with the previous coach and it can take a few years to turn some programs around. 4-6 ain't too bad for a rebuild team, but 6-4 (trying to be realistic) would be nice.

No clue what's up with Southern Wells.  I'll have to get some intel from my wife's side of the fam, if I can.  She graduated from there. Couple years ago they didn't even field a team, right?  I remember when I was playing (82-85) if you had SW on your schedule you were going to get at least one win.  They had a few good teams over the years, but IMO just not the football buy-in from the community.  IIRC, they were more of a basketball school.

Agree with @FlyingHigh on the pecking order at this early date.

Interesting perspective of SW, as when I played and growing up before that, they were one of the best teams in the conference. Those games were always toss ups between AC. Heritage was usually a loss on the schedule as well with some hard fought battles. I remember those 05 & 06 games getting beat but then winning in 07 & 08. 

Not sure what New Haven has, but guessing this will be a 3 horse race between Leo, East Noble, and Norwell. I think big things can happen for the Kingsland, Uniondale, Ossian, Zanesville, part of Markle folks this year in all 3 big sports.

Curious to see if Southern Wells will eventually get back to competing in the conference and 1A. 

You mean semi finals in 1A? Where is the ACAC thread?

5 hours ago, Miner_Pride said:

I think it Linton's case....we were climbing the mountain in 1A... getting so close in semi state losses,  and of course there was never a shortage of Linton fans ready and willing to shout the Miners glory into any topic anytime!  It was a heady time in Greene County, and while I defend that most Linton football fans are level-headed and not the outrageous few that got a lot of attention.  Unfortunately we've lost a couple of them in recent years to health failure.  I think the robust Miner folks pulled other locals into the fray as the rivalries both historically then as teams started meeting seemingly every year in Sectional title games, regionals etc.  Yearly there where spirited back n forths with the faithful from North Daviess, North Knox, North Central, Sullivan (altho not 1A)... then of course West Washington, and the battles with Perry Central...through Rockville, North Vermillion, Fountain Central.. then naturally the Scecina, and Ritter heartbreaks... and....well definitely the LCC banter... to the eventual win over Pioneer in 2016 was the pinnacle.  I think the combination of a big talented graduation class and a bump up to 2A and into sectional with state champ Southridge and perennial power Mater Dei contributed to the slow face of boisterous Miner Faithful, altho there were still plenty of us representing.  A lot of the guys I knew on the GID from Linton, and the area kinda came on as their kid or grandkid was coming up through the grades.  A lot of Dads/Gramps/Uncles/older brothers are involved in youth league and junior high programs and of course as Linton was rolling in the late 90's and 2000's winning multiple sectionals.. word of GID talk spread and guys couldn't resist making comments here n there.  

As those kids graduated, parents sort of did as well, as this many of the GID Linton folks.  I think Linton's 2017 team that lost to 9-3 Ritter, to 14-1 state runner up Eastern Greene (and a game I'd of loved a rematch)... and twice to eventual 2A champ Southridge (17-16, and 20-0 in rematch that was 0-0 at half).... I think that team would have relished a rematch with EG and made a run at seeing Pioneer again.  2018 saw Linton in a losing season for the 1st time sine 1996!  and I was amazed at the amount of negativism that just came from all over.  At 5-6 you'd of thought the world ended...which was crazy considering the youth of that team.. and starting 0-3.   And sounding like the LInton guy I am.... I think each of the 2019, 2020, and certainly last years team could have made solid runs in 1A from the South.  I realize we are 2A and likely will stay there... we are only 2A by 8 students.  So we are a low end 2A school any way you look at it.   The kids have responded well, we just have not gotten over the Mater Dei hump.. .much like we couldn't get over the Ritter and Scecina hump in 1A semi-state.... or the Perry Central stage in 1A Sect 40.  This past year was a tough one to swallow and that class was so much like the state winning 2016 class... and we lose so many to graduation... but a great group coming back albeit big shoes to fill.

 I think a lot of the Miner folks that use to frequent GID have just faded away as they have from actual involvement in the program.  I also think there was an active move to try and get less 'talk' on a forum that could be used as motivation for opponents!  Since the move to 2A we've not been able to hoist a sectional trophy..as opposed to winning 9 out of the last 10 years in 1A.  Honestly it's disappointed to see how people dropped off.  But it's also been sad to watch the  fall out just in attendance at the actual games at the ROy.... more and more people staying home to watch streams or going to the local watering hole and watching from bars and clubs instead of being there in the flesh where these kids need the see the support.   I've always sad... on the air... that Linton fans can be spoiled into just expecting to win and win big.  It isn't always going to be the case, but we've been lucky and blessed to have had some terrific teams in our small town.. .such as last year... and they deserve the kind of turn out at home and away that those teams in the 80's 90's and early 2000's did.   

yeah.. I miss you 1A .   

 

I feel Linton & AC are mirror images of one another. They've both been successful at the sectional and regional levels and then struggling at semi state. Both did get over the hurdle & win the long awaited title. I feel this will be the last 2 year cycle in 1A for AC. It will be bittersweet as we've enjoyed success, but those rivalries will fall. It would be nice to get a win over Sheridan, Pioneer, and LCC in the playoffs for once. Hopefully those programs will be up bc of enrollment or success factor.

47 minutes ago, Miner_Pride said:

very true... !

Is it just a generation shift? I feel like my generation has the burnout from playing since youth through HS & beyond for the good ones. Some of my best friends made from football hardly follow pro, college, or high school much anymore. I'm hoping they're just waiting until their kids start playing. However I wonder how many of their kids will play. I remember there were a ton of parents on here when I played & a bit after. I started on here when my brother played and a few dropped off during that time. Many more did once my brother graduated 5 or 6 years ago. Glad for those still here and those just arriving!

On 6/17/2022 at 3:00 PM, DT said:

I once considered taking a job in Ft Wayne.  The cost of living looked very cheap, easy to get around, things to do.  Then I got the offer and realized what the problem was.  Low wages.  I never considered another opportunity in that part of the state.  

In a low wage environment, people can never really get ahead in life, which creates life long stress.

I believe The Fort also has a fairly high crime rate.

These realities can contribute to the general malaise you are referring to. 

Talking about the rural areas around Ft Wayne. Crime rate isn't that high in the rural areas. For adults, it seems going out to eat, having a drink, and other events of relaxation are the priorities. Kids it's more video games and social media than participating in extra curricular activities of all sorts. Definitely not the atmosphere it was growing up of competition and community involvement. 

Seems to be apathy abound in NE Indiana for sports in general. Even more than just sports it feels like. Feels like a lot of adults & kids going through the motions in daily life. I wish I knew the cause or reason.

Like everything in life, it's cyclical and eventually will balance itself out. You had NE Indiana 3 peat in 2000, 2001,& 2002. Sheridan, LCC, & Pioneer have had their runs. Now it's beginning to be Indy parochials vs Adams County schools. It's been fun even if the results haven't went in our (Adams County) favor. Just going to enjoy 1A football while it's in Adams County. I'm sure AC will be 2A in the next cycle and with new programs South Adams could end up back in 2A at some point.

On 5/22/2022 at 3:47 PM, BTF said:

I'll be the first to acknowledge that Notre Dame has their hands full in Week 1. But we also have to acknowledge that Freeman is recruiting at an Alabama/Georgia level. 

I like the Wolverines, but their body of work doesn't equate to Notre Dames over the past five years. You can cite scheduling all you want, but anyone reading this knows that the Irish have had the better program in recent years. 

The head to head beat down by the Wolverines on the Irish should equate to something!

On 5/22/2022 at 4:18 PM, temptation said:

Come on.  What metrics are you using?

I’ll even take this argument to another level and throw some shade at my own program.

Both Notre Dame and Michigan needed “acts of God” to win their biggest games in recent memory.

ND had an amazing night game atmosphere and ducked Trevor Lawrence.

Michigan needed Mother Nature to inject herself into the conversation last year to act as the 12th man against OSU.

The Carroll and Homestead analogy fits…except they still haven’t broken through.

Michigan didn't need the weather or whatever Buckeye excuse. They manhandled the Buckeyes upfront on both sides of the ball. They had more fight & desire that day and it clearly showed. 

As for the topic at hand, I'd say Eastside but they've actually probably jumped to the next level. They're excelling in multiple sports & extra curricular activities lately. 

On 5/23/2022 at 4:49 PM, FlyingHigh said:

All of the backs, TE and QB will play both ways. There won’t be a ton of depth unless the younger kids really step up. I think the team that plays in week 10 will be much better than the team week 1 assuming they stay healthy. 

If this upcoming season's Junior class all comes back & show they can play Varsity level football, there should be little need to have all those positions play both ways. We saw in the state game that having the QB play both ways was a bit taxing. He did do it for part of the season, but didn't have to as much as the season progressed. Then when we lost our LB in state, you could see him start to wear down in the 2nd half.  The Junior class had been 2 deep coming up from youth, but Varsity experience for most will be the determining factor. The Senior & Sophomore classes have some gritty kids as well. I've already mentioned a couple of Freshmen who could come on the scene. One could play on the line or as FB/LB. The other would make a good WR/WB as well if he puts on more muscle.

1 hour ago, AG said:

This reminds me of some of the old Scott Mannering coached Lewis Cass teams that Pioneer always played in week 1. Cass, a 2A school with a larger roster than Pioneer, would often have 10+ guys carry the ball throughout the game. There were several games in which Cass simply wore down Pioneer by rotating fresh ball carriers in and out, and the difference could be seen in the 3rd and 4th quarters, especially in the August heat.

AC players might not put up the prettiest stats with this method, but if the players can put aside their egos, it will probably lead to something really special.

1A teams with elite talent and depth will often run roughshod over the rest of 1A. Will AC have very many one way starters?

It's all going to depend on how they progress this summer. Hoping they rotate quite a bit. What's helped imo is that they had to be behind Currie, Newy, and Heyerly. Another thing to look for is if anyone can get that extra yard or two that Heyerly was able to get so often.

1 hour ago, FlyingHigh said:

@Oldschool Currie & Heyerly aren't playing college football to my knowledge. @Basementbias I think we'll have some solid runners, but none of them have had more than a handful of carries over the last two years. The coaches have a lot of work to do to get some of these guys to be the 2-way studs that Heyerly, Currie and Newy were. I don't think there's as much quality depth at any position this year. 

I'm hoping most won't have to be 2-way all the time. Yes, the big thing will be the backs will not have as many reps even if we have 2 deep. I'm curious to see if a couple of athletic Freshmen get some good minutes in different roles. The key will be if the lack of varsity experience will be too much to overcome. 2 year window to get another appearance as they have the potential if they work towards it.

16 hours ago, Purdue Pete said:

If u got 2 backfields then u don’t have one?

Wrong. This would be a scenario where the 2nd backfield would start for most other schools. It's called depth and a rarity in 1A. They should have a pretty good 2 year run coming up if they stay healthy & together. 

1 hour ago, FarmerFran said:

Does AC post their stats online anywhere? I was curious to see what they lose statistically from graduation from last year's team. I checked MaxPreps and Digital Scout and couldn't find anything.

We lose the backfield minus the QB. Do have many capable replacements though. We could actually have 2 sets of backfield if everyone progresses as they should. I'm hoping we try it.

On 5/11/2022 at 8:24 AM, Footballking16 said:

What is the story on this? Ohio letting more teams in the playoffs?

Ohio did increase I believe. It's went from 8 to 12 to 16 per region for qualifying as of late. Not sure if they are expanding again or not.

7 hours ago, foxbat said:

One down as LCC's still up in 2A.

They could drop if they don't win sectional this year? Or do they stay up both years?

1 hour ago, NE8Fan said:

What does Pioneer bring back?  I don't think NJ or Triton can challenge the Jets.  They have a very strong current sophomore class.

The current AC sophomores that will be Juniors this fall are strong, but only a few have solid varsity minutes. I'm also excited for a few of the Freshmen this fall. NJ has a beast RB/FB that will be a senior. Triton brings back a quality backfield except for one back & others as well. Of course Pioneer, LCC, & Sheridan are AC's kryptonite it seems.

11 hours ago, Purdue Pete said:

Hopefully it stays.  Now that Busco is in 2A there isn’t anyone else in the North for the jets to play.

Pioneer and North Judson. Possibly Triton too.

7 hours ago, foxbat said:

Class 1A (63 Schools)
41. (8) Bowman Academy, Culver Community, North Judson-San Pierre, North Newton, Pioneer, South Central (Union
Mills), South Newton, Triton
42. (8): Attica, Clinton Central, Clinton Prairie, Covington, Fountain Central, North Vermillion, Park Tudor, Traders Point
Christian
43. (8): Carroll (Flora), Caston, Frontier, North White, Taylor, Tri-Central, Tri-County, West Central
44. (8): Adams Central, Fremont, Madison-Grant, North Miami, Northfield, South Adams, Southern Wells, Southwood

https://www.ihsaa.org/Portals/0/ihsaa/documents/quick resources/Enrollments & Classifications/2022-23 2023-24/2022-23 2023-24 Football Assignments.pdf

 

Am I wrong that it originally had Pioneer in 2A last night? Now they're back down to 1A today? Does the IHSAA know where anyone is actually going or will this change again?