SEAL_63

You are correct. But North is a much bigger step up than Princeton’s previous opponent, Wood Memorial. Whether that was by choice or not.... My point is that I don’t see Princeton being afraid of an increase in SOS.

Outside of a forced rotation through the smaller PAC schools, I can’t imagine the Big 8 not being somewhat flexible to work this out. Jasper, VL, Boonville will desire a stronger conference schedule for sure. MV feels they are on the upswing after a 5-5 season last year. Princeton and Washington are the only unknowns, but Princeton already plays GS and, in my mind, would like a stronger schedule after adding Ev. North in 2018. Unless, of course, the SIAC comes into play for 2 or 3 of the Big 8 schools...can’t rule that out.

I agree with the above. It all starts in the home. Unfortunately, creating good driving habits takes time, and the current programs in place don’t allow for this..if they ever did. Parents need to emphasize good habits well before drivers ed and throughout the adolescent years. Yes, it was beneficial to have summer programs offered through high schools, but once you completed that class at 15,16 yrs old, there was never another structured course that emphasized driver safety. Even if there was, I’m not sure how much it would help. For example, what have the drug-related (D.A.R.E.) programs done for our youth? Little to no impact, in SW Indiana at least (which is a whole different subject). In the end, we are all human and can make mistakes behind the wheel at any time. That’s just the way it is. But our youth are more susceptible to such mistakes. Maybe increasing the legal age to 18 is part of the solution? I don’t know.

Knowledge is the most important quality in a lineman. But assuming both are equally knowledgeable, I would go with the stronger kid, and in this case, substantially stronger. But like others have said, it depends on the position and/or scheme. I wouldn’t feel comfortable sticking a 5.4 kid at guard for example. Add 15-20 lbs in weight and 30 lbs to bench and I’ll take the 4.7 kid every time.

I have to respectfully disagree. The Jasper program as whole is about the same as it’s always been...and I think many HH and SR folks would agree with me. They still have excellent numbers, produce the same quality athletes, and are always well conditioned. The missing piece has been on-field results. IMO, they are a change in coaching philosophy away from being back to where they were. And with Tony Lewis’ track record, I look for that to be in the near future. Does this mean they would be the top dog consistently in a merged Big PAC? Or even the Big 8 alone? Absolutely not. And that’s a good thing. This potential conference would be way too good with GS and HH as obvious contenders and VL/Boonville fully capable.

Since about 2008, until just the past year or so, the Cats were a big fish in a mostly weaker Big 8...and their present mediocrity (by Jasper standards) partly stems from that. When they had their successes in the 90’s to mid 00’s, the conference was much more competitive with 3-4 quality teams. And Jerry Brewer may have had a hand in that success as well... So Jasper has a lot to gain if this merger happens. They need that competition, as do the other upper tier Big 8 teams.

Sadly, I would have to agree with that assessment in regards to football over the last decade. Boonville and VL have seen somewhat of a resurgence the past two seasons, but neither have a sectional title in that time. Jasper and MC have been a shell of their 2000’s selves, and MV, Princeton, Washington are consistently bad (save for a mediocre campaign here or there). It goes without saying that this potential merger would only help Big 8 teams with SOS. And if you’re GS, HH, SR you have to like the idea of trading SS, PC, TC for Jasper, Lincoln, Boonville.

VL/MD was going to happen Week 1 last season but Lincoln was unable void their contract with Owen Valley. In the late 90’s/early 00’s, VL played Central Week 1, Memorial Week 2 for 6-7 years when the program was in a much better place. I know Coach Salters wants to get back playing a similar type of schedule.