OldschoolFB

In my opinion only, a lot of how these kids perform depends on a number of things. Many times the highly recruited athlete go into Frosh camp with egos and expectations much too high. They have never faced adversity and assume they will be the man no matter what. They don’t know what many athletes have had to go through to get even a sniff. A player like Charlie may feel as if he’s been slighted and come in even hungrier than ever. Or he may always be looked at as a fullback and not get a fair look(although I doubt this very much). One thing he will have to adjust to is not getting the ball more than 50% of the time and being THE focal point of the team’s Offense. He will also be facing guys who are as strong as him for the first time ever. My guess is he will surprise many people and prove them wrong. I don’t know him at all. I’ve just heard about how hard he works. It seems to me the kind of drive he is said to have will carry him through. I wish him nothing but success in Bloomington.

^^^^^^^ We have a winner. Many recruiters are not only lazy, most of them are too afraid to actually put their stamp of approval on a player unless they have already been offered by other “equivalent programs”. Measurables are a nice place to start but you also have to be a football player. Lineman and QB to a lesser extent may be one of the places where height plays a bigger role in football.

Very true. He was eligible. Therefore, it doesn’t matter if he turns 20 this school year or not. He is still the record holder and likely will be for a very very very long times. Personally, I would not let the comments bother me If he was on my team. It actually seems to give the appearance of validity to the gripe about his age. If he is within the rules, he’s within the rules. Having said that, the loyalty amongst the New Pal guys on here is something to be admired. You want everyone associated with the program to be at their best and want the best for each other. Coach Ralph has created a true team from the players on up to the parents.

Snider has had 5 coaches in its history . The last 3 have all been from the same mold. Mike Hawley 1976-1990. Russ Isaacs 1990-2009. Kurt Tippmann 2009-present. All three are/were phenomenal. Fort Wayne buses kids all over the place so all the schools will be getting a diverse student body. However, Snider has the best location as far as neighborhood kids go in FWCS. It is a mix of blue collar and upper.middle class which usually makes for good football. The fan base is very loyal and passionate. It’s a great job but the coach has to understand Snider’s culture. Dwenger’s fanbase is borderline insane. However, there is also an insane amount of loyalty to the program by the alumni. If you prove to the BD fans that you do it “the right way” and leave it all on the field, they love you forever. They have great tailgating and have many 3rd generation kids playing football. This alone makes it a viable place to win but they also have a great feeder system which churns our player after player. . The traditions at Dwenger are very special and are expected to be followed but each senior class is allowed their own unique traditions as well. It is literally an amazing culture unlike any other in the State(not necessarily better or worse, just very unique ). The job is definitely one of the best, however, you will be under a microscope by the fans. Anything less than State is a let down with the exception of perhaps this season being the first in 5A. Any season they don’t make Semi State is considered a huge bust. But when you do win, it’s a pretty special place.

From a statistical standpoint, Charlie is the guy. In fact, he should and will win. From a best football player standpoint, there are several players who are on par with him. One of them is also on NP. The Hook as i like to call him. . Also, Taylor from Chatard, Valpo DE, he is Jr though. Bailey Parker had a huge year. Archbald from Homestead. Combs from Memorial. Finley from Dwenger. Carmel LB. DE at New Pal also every bit as important as Charlie. Cathedral Safety is very good too. I’m sure I’m missing a few but that’s off the top of my head. However, Charlie is a once in a generation player who was the perfect player for his teams style of play. He is also EXTREMELY durable, highly underrated as a blocker and overall football player. He is hands down the man and if anyone votes for anyone else, they should lose their voting privileges.

Only if we had a one class playoff system would this asinine argument hold any weight. If you want to have a class playoff system based on enrollment, that’s the way it has to be for everyone. One comment I hear that bothers me quite a bit is private schools have parents who are involved. This is true, however, every single parent doesn’t have their child involved in football. The fact that there are so many sports now for kids to play makes it harder for the private schools to maintain excellence UNLESS they have fully committed coaches who in turn hold the players accountable. If you want to win, that’s what it takes and it doesn’t always happen overnight. The amount of geeks roaming the halls who are attending private schools for the sole reason of getting into a good college would surprise you. Not everyone wants to play football. But when you create a culture that makes kids want to play and hold them accountable towards a winning way, you will win.

If the participation level is 35% to 70%, move a school down in enrollment. The truth is, FW South Side is never going to compete in anything in 4A as things stand. The problem, however, will become when they do win in a lower class, the athletes around town will flock to that school immediately. They will then be in a Division where they dominate and are a larger school. There is also the issue where Carmel and virtually every Indianapolis area school doubles the size of a few other 6A schools outside of Indy. For some reason, nobody cares about that. Gee, I wonder why? Do you know which school didn’t whine and moan about Carmel and other Indy schools size? New Palestine They just got better If you want to win, you have to commit and a made up rule that was created to give someone fairness isn’t living in reality For the record, I don’t care if Carmel is that big, it will be nice that they will have to come through the South next year. The bottom line is this, there is not a perfect system. The schools with the resources, public and private, that want to win find a way. The schools mentioned that have a hard time getting kids to come out for athletics have much deeper problems that have nothing to do with athletics. The success factor rule won’t have anything to do with whether or not these schools change OR if they win State in football.

Just read a few of these. New Pal beat CG soundly at CG. New Pal beat Cathedral at Cathedral(I think), soundly. Cathedral beat Trinity soundly. Trinity smoked Carmel. Carmel only beat CG by 3. New Pal is better than all of them. So is Valpo and I’m starting to think so is Dwenger. 5A was better than 6A this year. It happens.

East Noble put too much on a couple players shoulders. Any good defense can shut that down unless you’re dealing with a Hershel Walker type of player or if you have a dominant O Line that allows for a RB to run through huge lanes. Even Spegal was pedestrian save for the one brilliant play call by the big fella Coach Ralph. Outside of that Spegal averaged roughly 3.5 per. New Pal knew this and on the first drive of the game, Spegal touched the ball only once for a yard or two and New Pal still scored. East Noble didn’t have a plan B.

In FWCS, all you have to do is find a class not offered at your school that is offered at the one you want to attend for free. The amount or transferring that happens every year is ridiculous. Most, not all, but most happens within the public schools. The other Allen county schools, you just have to have an address in that location as you can attend. I can’t speak for the other areas of the state but it’s likely similar. Private schools hold no advantage other than the traditional commitment and drive to win. What I find to be strange is nobody ever talks about the advantages a school with 5300 students might have playing Homestead with half the enrollment, with both teams in classified as 6A. If you want “fair” which is what the success factor supposedly wants, split all of the Football teams in Indianapolis that have enrollments double that of the lowest participant in 6A and make 2 teams. Sound idiotic? So does a rule that punishes a school and students for excelling over a 2 year period. For the record, I’m not at all for splitting the 6A schools into 2 teams but I am also not at all in favor of the success factor. And certainly not for making a school move up 2 classes.

Putrid is what Valpo passing game was against Dwenger. Today, it was average, some great plays, some bad plays but ultimately enough to give his team a chance to win.

Dwenger had the skill guys to do it, they adjusted too late to pass more and then went 4 vertical routes too often when they did. The play BD scored on was improvised according to the 2 kids interviewed after the game. But man I as Valpo’s o and D line unbelievable

That was the number 1 thing that surprised me as well. I thought maybe a pass or 2 underneath, quick slants MAYBE 1 or 2 deep balls. The Valpo QB and WR s did a nice job today. Also have to factor in New Pal QB went out early but that’s the football and you have to adjust Which New Pal did.

Very hard to run up the middle against Valpo as Spegal found out. BUT New Pal went to speed option to get Big Charlie running downhill and they broke one. Outside of that run, I think Spegal was held in check to around 4 yards per carry. Of course, you can’t leave that out which is why he has run for 10000 plus in his career. New Pal’s Hook and the kid going to MSU and their LBs impressed me a lot. Valpo has most of their lineman on both sides that impressed me. Obviously #11, Plus the other DE and #33. Burbee is very good and Valpo WR proved to be better than they were in Semi State. I loved that game tonight.

Yes it was. New Pal is fun to watch. So was Valpo. Valpo actually wore New Pal down as opposed to what was supposed to happen. What a great game with 2 great teams. I think Valpo proved the North was much better than everyone down south thought. Difference in the game was New Pal coming at you on every play, very smart team, experienced team and made two huge plays on D causing TO’s that led to scores. Plus Spegal making 1 big play. They are a Championship caliber team for sure. Congrats to New Pal.

Look New Pal is no doubt a great team and a great program. They know how to win. They are relentless and very very confident. You made an excuse about the 2 catches that by rule go to the offense. I don’t like it when it happens to the teams I like. But the rule is the rule. As I’m watching now, Valpo will throw too many vertical and not go short and New Pal will win. They are great. Everyone knows it. But you made an excuse because it was tied at the time. One my second graders doesn’t make. Congrats to New Pal who is literally one of the all time, if not the greatest all time program over the course of 7 years in the history of the state.

My 2nd grader doesn’t make that excuse. Make the play. Not half the play. New Pal lucky to have Spegal or they would be good team but not great. Should be utilizing Hook more on O. Smart play by Coach Ralph on the option to Speegs

Dwenger did under throw two long passes that were caught that if thrown in stride would have resulted in touchdowns. We can play the what if game all day. Having said that, at the end of the game, Valpo scored 3 more points. The FG was because of poor punt return coverage by Dwenger. . 2 drives stalled because we could not go 90+ yards. The reason we had to 90+ multiple times was Valpo’s punter unbelievable. The score had nothing to do with the penalties or lack there of Very well called game I believe if the game is played 10 times, it is 5-5. Congrats to Valpo. One thought about the New Pal and Valpo game ithe Valpo D will not wear down against New Pal. The line on both sides is enormous and they seem to be in very good shape. I also don’t believe New Pal has as many skill players as Dwenger but the New Pal line will give New Pal enough time to make short passing plays which will be turned into large gains. The Valpo secondary is the Achilles heal of that Valpo D. The line will also open up much larger holes for Spiegal than Dwengers line did for its backs I also think Maxen Hook can absolutely eat up the DBs from Valpo if they decide to throw to him. He is 6 2 and whatever his weight is, he plays bigger. He is plenty fast enough. With that combo, he will be a pain for Valpo DBs to bring down. This could allow for Spegal to start running down hill and score enough times to beat Valpo 28-7. Having said that, . What could also happen is Valpo moves the ball much like Cathedral did early on. If Valpo actually converts a few firsts downs they will control the clock and if that happens, I will say Valpo wins 28-21. Valpo won’t fumble the Ball and after last week won’t be passing down field as much. My prediction officially will be Valpo 28 New Pal 21

You got that right. Every single run around the end could have been flagged. For some inexplicable reason, BD started the first two drives with the 3rd and 4th string running backs. By the time we actually decided that strategy won’t work against a team of Valpo’s caliber, we were down 10-0 and wasted the first quarter. But at the end of the day, we just came up a couple plays short. Valpo scored on the first drive of the game against our first string D and were able to squeeze a FG in later. Valpo is an awesome team and very deserving to be going to LOS. Congratulations.

Tom, you need to lighten up a bit. I had a good quality response obviously meant to be humorous. No need to project your own personal demons on to others. I hope the game is a clean, hard fought, injury free game. I want Bishop Dwenger to win. I know most people don’t think they stand a chance, I happen to disagree and believe it’s worth the Saints while to make the 2 hour drive to prove they have what it takes to play in Lucas Oil Stadium. Let the teams take the field and leave it all out there. This time of the year and Semi State is High School football at its finest. Go SAINTS!!!

Why would Valpo be taking a bus to the game?

I believe the Mercy rule goes away once the Regionals hit. At least that is what an official told me this past week end.

Let me clarify that. Preparing as if they will be playing limited or no Offense but will play on Defense. Having said that, I just talked to the same guy who told me that. He knows one of the 2 player’s dad in question and he said that at least one was going to be a go and back to 100%. Take it for what it’s worth but he knows him pretty well Who knows?!! Separate topic, I believe Snider’s O Line would be comparable to Valpo in size.

I was told Dwenger is going to prepare as if they won’t have Finley and Tippmann. We will need them but what can you do if they aren’t available. What does anyone know about Valpo? My read is they have a big offensive line and running backs? They will pass but it is definitely secondary to the run. They are an efficient passing team when they do. On D, big strong front 7. What kind of speed do they bring to the table on Both sides of the ball?

I am hoping they both can play next week. That might be a tough game to pull off if those two are not playing. Does anyone know or have an update? As far as game time, Valpo is on Central time if I’m not mistaken. This allows for leaving a little bit later or if you can’t get off work until 5, you can still arrive on time.