Basementbias

52 minutes ago, roaringthunderdlr said:

Understandable, but AC is a very strong program and it's very surprising to see that.

Think it's probably a mix of both after Friday night. Jay County is improving at all levels and AC may have a slight regression after this year. Though I think the MS teams will improve as well as the youth. Really excited we are adding flag for Pre-k through 4th grade at AC. Hopefully that solves the problem the 7th grade has this year of 9+ kids who waited to play any football until 7th grade. Just because Coldwater & Marion Local do not start until then, doesn't mean it will work for all programs. Those 2 programs are blessed to have minimum of 6 ft height and big strong kids in shape from 160 to 300 lbs (pure muscle no fat).

5 hours ago, roaringthunderdlr said:

Jay County has a bright future. May not be a state contender in 4A, but as food for thought, the Jay County 8th graders beat Adams Central 8th graders 28-0. 7th graders also beat the Flying Jets 20-7. This shows that Jay County is finally building up the youth programs to hopefully develop players that may one day turn into stellar varsity players for the Patriots.

Maybe but the MS Jets aren't as strong as years past. The 7th grade had hardly any kids out for some reason. I'm not sure about the 8th grade as I wasn't involved in youth with them other than being a board member. About same with 7th grade as I basically tried to explain the offense to the youth coaches & then went to board member only due to work & stepson playing flag in Ohio. Stepson is playing with AC kids in youth tackle this year. 6th grade class is OK, but needs some work & more depth. AC will take a step back a bit after this season. They should still be decent with the juniors & sophomores this year. After that it gets shaky.

The ACAC is much improved. Bluffton & Heritage showing they are contenders. Jay County outplayed AC in the 1st quarter and a bit in 2nd before AC took control in a 42-7 final. The AC defense has some work to do next week vs Heritage. Though SA lost to Bluffton & Heritage, they fought against Heritage pretty well. Woodlan is improved compared to the prior seasons. If Jay County runs the ball like they did in the 1st quarter, they can be in the race. Southern Wells has a win & played Jay County tough in the 1st half last week. They may not be in the mix but are much improved than before as well. 

The NFHS & IHSAA & other state associations are ran just as well as the farce called the NCAA above them. They're all about the Indy area & those they have ties with. No surprise with this story.

@jtsprung Congrats on the big win! I'm a Jet through and through but I miss those Raiders & Jets slobberknockers. Best of luck the rest of this year (minus AC of course 😉)!

50 minutes ago, BTF said:

Lucas Oil would be a good site. Too many important games being decided by inclimate weather. 

I believe Iowa does that as they play the semi finals one week at UNI and the championships there the following week.

19 minutes ago, npcougar15 said:

About every sectional in Indiana you can go through and there is a clear top 4. Between Sagarin, AP poll, Coaches Poll, common sense, etc. the IHSAA should be able to figure it out. And guess what? If you are a 2 seed and should be a 1, you still don't see that other top team until the championship which is how it should be. It's such an easy fix, I have no idea why they don't do it. 

 

I'm pretty firmly against neutral site games (except for state of course). I know a little bit of it is bias because up here in the northern part of the state there really isn't too much travel between the schools. I know down in southern Indiana it gets to be quite a hall for some of the match ups. But at the end of the day I just don't think playing at a neutral site is going to create a great atmosphere for a championship game. I'd rather have 1 school pack a stadium with the entire community then have 2 schools travel 1.5 hours each with just their family friends. People talk about how the class system ruined Indiana High School basketball. I can see neutral or Saturday games doing something similar to football

I get that part of neutral site games. Though I think Semi State could work as a neutral site week that will bring the atmosphere. Sectionals definitely need to be at seeded teams home field & then higher ranked/seeds home field.

1 hour ago, npcougar15 said:

I wouldn't change too much about the current season except:

1. Seed sectionals 1-4 (in 8 team sectionals) then random draw the other 4. better seed gets home field advantage. Once you hit regionals and or both teams are seeded it goes to the current format to determine home team.

 

The only other thing I'd think about touching is something with the privates. Don't know if that means they automatically play up a class? Create 2 classes with privates (small and big school) and have their own tournament? Don't know what the answer is exactly but it's time to get creative

 

Yes the 1-4 is the compromise I've always mention as being the first step in a seeded tournament. Would it be beneficial to seed by regionals as well? Make the regional game neutral site with schools tied to that regional. For example let's say Bishop Luers and Eastbrook meet in the regional game and it's played in Bluffton who was one of the sixteen participant schools in that regional  

I believe The Berne Witness has added Bluffton in addition to the 3 Adams County schools. I know WZBD 92.7 FM added Heritage to their coverage as they also cover all 3 Adams County schools.

Forgot about TCC & 2 others Toledo St John's & Toledo St Francis had joined the Detroit Catholic League with Michigan schools. That probably makes the Fort to Port matchups less desirable. 

4 hours ago, kdets89 said:

My way too early picks:

1) Adams Central - 3rd time is a charm for the Jets.  They head into 2A with a blue ring.

2) Providence - South sleeper.  Young team in '22 bounced by Lutheran in the regional.  They avenge that loss in '23 in what will be considered an upset, but really isn't.

3) Lutheran - Name a single 1A/2A team in the last 20 years that graduated 15 seniors and were as good the following year.  I can't either.

4) South Putnam - Strong program, but won't make it through a tough sectional.

5) North Judson San Pierre - Advance based on returning experience, despite losing a lot to graduation.

6) North Decatur - See above.  I think they would have won it all had they made it past Lutheran in semi-state.

7) Carroll (Flora) - Someone has to win sectional 43.

8 ) Sheridan - Someone has to win sectional 45.

9) South Adams - Gets beat twice by big brother.  Again.

10) Milan - Not much size, but scrappy.

North:  AC over NJSP

South: Providence over North Decatur

State:  AC over Providence

Hope you're right, but that QB you had is returning correct? Lutheran is still the top dog until they aren't. Our Jets should be pretty good if healthy, but have a couple key spots to replace. If they don't figure those out, it could be trouble. I think this maybe the last go around in 1A for awhile. Our enrollment seems to be increasing to maintain a 2A level regardless of success factor. I'm somewhat for it with having family going to be competing at SA and AC in the future. Love to see all 3 Adams County schools make a LOS trip the same year in the future. Doubt it ever happens but I can dream!

18 minutes ago, temptation said:

The Indiana/Kentucky All-Star basketball series is basically dead…might as well send this contest out to pasture also.

Is this for college exposure only? Most of the colleges have probably already made choices at this point & we have technology now to view in season. Guessing the biggest D1 athletes are early enrolling into spring ball more in this day & age. Put it out to pasture. 

1 minute ago, FlyingHigh said:

I don’t think AC looked nearly as deep into turf as you’re implying. Also, dollars going towards a turf field would be much more than an investment in the football program. Outside of potential maintenance savings, dollars spent on turf would also be an investment in baseball, softball, PE, band and would provide the K-12 students a wider range of opportunities. 

Just passing along what the Jay County attorney had told me. He does have the designs/drawings though of AC, SA, & Jay County. Yes, it would go to other aspects of the school as you mentioned. I am probably in the minority, but I'd rather have grass for all the aspects you mentioned. Might be more upkeep as is, but I think it would be better on the bodies for those participating on it. Plus the SAC should be used for some of the activities mentioned if they can't practice on their respective fields. The SAC definitely  was done differently than those lobbying for it had requested in the beginning. Nice facility for sure but eliminated a good deal of parking for events.

48 minutes ago, HoopsCoach said:

What high school athletic conference requires turf?  I can’t imagine too many with the authority to dictate to their members that they must have turf.  The investment in turf seems much more like a local decision made by a school corporation with no influence (other than envy) from other conference schools.  There are several conferences with mostly large urban and suburban districts as members that consist of schools which all have turf fields, but it probably wasn’t due to a conference bylaw.  I could be wrong, but I’m interested if you know of any with a bylaw like that.

No, mentioned more so because everyone in the conference but Southern Wells would have it if the plans go through. I know the ACAC & Southern Wells relationship has been better prior than it currently is. Out of all the schools, Southern Wells would benefit the most from turf after the field issues they had before. I was pretty shocked AC even considered it, let a lone had drawing & designs. I could think of more avenues that grant $ could go to compared to a turf field in Monroe. Parking lots for sure, especially if that meant buying more ground. Being tied to Adams Central & Adams County 4H the biggest mistake was the 4H fairgrounds not moving when Don Ray was offering to donate the land to move it. Guessing the current location butting up to AC to the east was donated too. The school could definitely use that land for parking & fair could have used the larger piece of land that was proposed. Another factor is Best One of Monroe/Zurcher Tire uses the fairgrounds for storage as well & having a new expo hall built.

Good luck on the helmets! Good to hear SW is getting more players out. The ACAC is always better when SW football is competing for the conference crown.

12 minutes ago, FlyingHigh said:

I could see some of the leaders in the school wanting to move to turf, but it'll be a hard sell to the board and community since Minnich Field is one of the best natural grass fields in the area. My guess is that AC will get it eventually now that South Adams is getting it. SA ran into similar drainage issues that AC would experience and may even have to play some of their home games (possibly several) at Bluffton and AC.

I'll have to ask Jay County's attorney if he's heard anymore. He had the drawings & designs for all 3 of them. Believe it was due to grant $ from the state being sent to the ACAC schools. Hopefully the conference isn't requiring turf going forward, but could see it.

1 minute ago, psaboy said:

Who they going after now??

Blitz as evidently it may not be true & went off rumors without asking him. Yes that's not how it should have went, but they'll blow this up like they did the South Side kid. I'll get blasted for my similar response on Twitter that I put on here. Oh well I don't cover SAC or any teams. Follow mostly 3A, 2A, & 1A.

Well maybe he might be playing football. However the Snider Twitter & social media accounts are thin skinned. Going after media individuals for dumb stuff last season & now. Good grief! I'd like Snider to win & do well but the Panthers aren't always reliable when it matters most. They're no different than my Flying Jets, Luers, or Dwenger.

2 hours ago, btownqbcoach1 said:

Hey man.. great stuff keep me updated!

Thanks! I talked to the one maintenance guy during the Adams County Fair about a year ago. The Jay County info was from the school attorney that I work with occasionally & we talked late February on it. Everyone in NE/EC Indiana & NW/WC Ohio are looking to get turf it seems. I don't like it from an injury possibility standpoint. I understand it is supposed to reduce costs but I'm not sold on it. I know Ohio schools want it so they can host playoff games & try to get part of the revenue. 

South Adams is tearing the grass up for turf. Supposedly everyone but Southern Wells will have turf soon in the ACAC. Woodlan, Heritage, & Bluffton already put turf in. Leaves Jay County & AC as the last grass holdouts besides Southern Wells. I know Jay County is definitely getting turf & moving the direction of the stadium a bit. There are plans drawn out for Adams Central to get turf, but last summer one of the maintenance guys said it wouldn't happen due to an underground spring possibly under Minnich field. Think most AC fans would prefer our really nice grass field over turf. @FlyingHigh & @260AC do you have any solid information on this?

Definitely curious to see how Eastside & Norwell do this season. We all know Blackhawk Christian has the ability to become a 1A force like they have in basketball (now 2A hoops force). As for the ACAC, the league is getting more competitive each season. AC will be a favorite this year, but need to reload in some key positions. They have talent again this season and just need to avoid injuries. South Adams will have to find consistent line play on both sides. They always have great skill guys each year. Just imagine if AC & SA combined teams, that would be fun to watch. Let's not forget Heritage finished near the top beating SA last year and have steadily improved. Bluffton is coming off a sectional championship as well. Will they continue the trend? Their youth program has been solid the past couple years. Will this be the year Jay County begins to get in the mix as well? To finish Adams & Wells Counties, will Bellmont pick up more wins with a talented sophomore group? Will Southern Wells make a step to getting back to being competitive? The ACAC has not been the same since they've fallen on hard times. Here is to a successful season for NE/EC Indiana teams, and hopefully we have more state appearances & maybe some champions!

4 hours ago, BTF said:

Couldn't we say the same thing about the SAC with 22 state titles by six different schools? I do understand what you're saying though. Pound for pound, the Ohio schools appear to be way ahead of Indiana in the smaller divisions. Either way, I would be fun to see some border wars between Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio. 

The MAC has 41 football championships and that's with one school yet to win one (Parkway who is next door to both AC & SA & where my mom went). Guess you could add New Knoxville as not winning one since they don't offer football. The running joke is that the New Knoxville Rangers will win a football title before the Parkway Panthers.

13 minutes ago, roaringthunderdlr said:

Marion Local vs Adams Central would be intriguing.

I love my Flying Jets, but Marion Local would have no issues in beating us. They have the height advantage to get their passing game rolling. The MAC schools have size with weight & height that most smaller schools do not. Be curious as to how Indy Lutheran would match with Marion Local. Think Marion Local would win but it would be a decent game I believe. Marion Local has been highly ranked nationally. My newer eye doctor is a volunteer coach for Marion Local and it seems both programs have the same approach & mindset. They just have a much better passing game. I'm sure their running game would eventually wear AC down too. AC could possibly run against ML & possibly stop the ML run game for a bit. I know a few of us AC folks are big MAC & Marion Local fans as well as a few other Ohio neighbors in the NWC, GMC, and WBL conferences. 

Any where they coach different sports at different schools?

2 hours ago, BTF said:

Unfamiliar with the MAC. I just looked them up. Looks like a bunch of small schools to me. 

They are but I believe have the most state championships in Ohio and possibly nation as a conference in football. Also have many in other sports. They beat a lot of bigger schools during non conference play.