whiteshoes

We attended the Herbstreit every year they held it and saw some great teams play some great games. I have been advocating something like this for years but have seen no movement toward an event actually being considered. It would even be better if we lifted that silly 300 travel mile rule and could get teams like Alabaster Thompson (AL), Colquitt County (GA) and Fort Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas to play our best. Gosh I'm dreaming again and realize that such a thing will never happen here.

Seems strange sitting here this morning and not packing and leaving for the weekend but it is what it is. After attending the finals for 30 straight years, I will be at home watching them on TV while understanding that it is best for me at this time. However, I am optimistic that next Thanksgiving weekend I will be back with my gang spending a weekend watching great high school football.

I have been saying for many years that semi-states should be played on Saturday afternoon with double-headers at neutral sites. This would give the players a chance to play at a small college or larger high school venue, would allow proper seating, concessions and restrooms for fans and travel would be during daylight hours not late on a dark Friday night. Two games would generate additional revenue to the host site and give fans a chance to see four great teams and two games.

Got it.

I can't seem to be able to access it.

I'm in.

The CIF has moved the start of all fall related sports until December with finals to held no later than mid-April. The Texas UIL has a press conference scheduled for 5:00m today to announce it's decision on going forward. This follows New Mexico and Virginia who have pushed back the start of the football season in their respective states. Similar to the response itself to the virus, it appears that each state will be on its own in determining the best path forward in addressing the issue.

My favorite place in the country is Fertitta Field in Las Vegas, home to Bishop Gorman HS. Watching the sunset behind the mountains and the Las Vegas Strip light up while attending a great high school football game is hard to beat.

What about Kriegbaum Field in Huntington? Seriously, my favorite place in Northeast Indiana for a game is probably Homestead due to the fact it is close to home, have a great choice of eating places in the area, the turf and seating are good. My only gripe is one night I went to my car at halftime to grab a jacket and had to pay full admission to get back in. I really Bluffton's facility but not the best site for quality games. Never been to DeKalb but must get up there since everyone seems to like it a lot. My favorite place in the entire state is the Reitz Bowl at Evansville.

I do not like going to games there. Parking is terrible, seating inadequate and restrooms and concessions are very limited. Lighting and field surface are not the best. The only good thing about it is that there is no track around it. If I want to catch a Luers game, I usually grab a road game.

Double-header semi-states on Saturday at neutral sites.

While on the subject on crowd size, Texas had a lower division championship game where both towns that were represented had a total population of around 9,000. Their championship game drew a crowd of 19,000. They really love this stuff in Texas.

Hopefully it will be someone who will be a little more responsive to ideas that will make the game better.

I have a couple of ideas to throw into this discussion as well: 1. The use of video replay in the state finals. Several states are already going to this and there were several instances at this years finals where I heard people say "can't they look at that" to see if the call was correct. The equipment is there so why not use it. 2. To help with the decline in participation numbers, either create "co-op" teams, i.e., a team comprised of more than one school, or let kids from non-playing schools play for schools that have programs. I bet Loogootee/Barr-Reeve could put together a very good Class A team. Again, this concept is used in several other states and seems to work well. 3. Add a rule to the success factor that a team cannot drop more than once in a ten year period. The current system still needs some changes as a 5A team was allowed to play and win the 3A championship this season. Also to be noted was the fact that most of the final games this year were not very competitive which is another indication that something needs to be fixed. 4. My favorite suggestion still remains. The concept of semi-state doubleheaders on Saturday at small college or large high school sites. This season I stood five deep in the end zone at East Noble on a cold, dark Friday night while less than a thirty minute drive there were facilities that had more seating, parking, concessions and bathrooms. Saturday gives families and fans a chance to attend the game without having to cut out of work on Friday. In addition, it gives the teams at semi-state level the excitement of playing at a big facility which most will remember for a lifetime. The double-header idea brings the attendance to the point that the site would need to justify it's expenses. If planned correctly, it would also cut down travel time for at least half the teams in the tournament.

Have been to many of their games and always sit on the visitor side and cannot recall ever having an issue with seating. I will be there tonight and reserve you a seat!!!

They are adequate. Should be able to seat all the Hobart fans without any problem.

From what I picked up watching the games, the replay official is on site and relays the call down to the officiating crew. The crew does not view the replay.

I have noticed that several states have started to use replay for questionable calls in state finals. Does anyone know if the IHSAA is considering this?

Their rib eye steak sandwich is worth the trip by itself. However, throw in a great game as well and it makes a perfect night.

Is there any chance the game will be streamed? Long drive, cold temps and standing room only have me considering watching it in the comforts of my den.

A lot of states provide bye weeks, including Georgia who allow two. My suggestion would be to start earlier, allow a bye week for all teams and let 6A and 5A go to a ten game regular season schedule.

Fort Wayne would have been even better for me. It is less than an hour.

Loyola brought a nice crowd but was disappointed in St. Ignatius' crowd. They did not even fill the small visitors stands. I sat on the home side with a great seat on a very nice afternoon. Hope they do something similar again next year. Saves me from having to drive further for a great matchup.

Had a great time yesterday watching two very good teams play on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in a great facility. For those of you who missed it, Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius defeated Wilmette (IL) Loyola Academy 27-10 at Ames Field in Michigan City. Both teams are highly rated in their respective states with both expecting big seasons this year. Loyola brought a nice crowd and the Ignatius band performed at halftime. As I watched the game it reminded me of my hope that someday Indiana will go to Saturday semi-states at great sites like Ames Field instead of cold Friday nights standing four deep in the end zone in an undersized home field. Do not know who set this game up, but hope they do it again because a chance to see nationally relevant teams play within a couple of hours of home can't be beat. Not only that, but the wife got in some shopping while I was at the game and we topped the day off with a great meal at a Polish restaurant in Michigan City.

I would be glad to assist in any way that I can.