BTF

Eastside comes from an area of the state that is rarely talked about in terms of football. They have a chip on their shoulder. If Luers couldn't beat them last year, they won't beat them this year.

Noted. Good luck to your Irish this year, they have a good shot in 6A. I was thinking the same, not sure though.

I see it as 2/9. Those two by the same school, being New Palestine. I've never looked at Cathedral as a 4a enrollment school.

Carroll at Penn - On a neutral field I'm taking Carroll in a close one. Freed field is a different story. Carroll's dream season falls short in round one. Kingsman by 7 Fishers at Northrop - Running clock midway through the 3rd quarter. Fishers by 42 Homestead at Hamilton Southeastern - Homestead will surprise HSE for about a quarter and a half. Then it's over. HSE by 28 Anderson at North Side - The long drive won't do Anderson any favors. Legends by 42 Snider at Dwenger - The Saints have good coaching and a ton of heart. They close the gap from three weeks ago. Snider by 14 Leo at East Noble - Not your typical East Noble team. I see a repeat of the regular season game. Lions by 7 Dekalb at Columbia City - CC has been battle tested the last couple of weeks. They should roll Dekalb. CC by 28 Mississinewa at Huntington North - Mississinewa is on a roll. The Vikings won't stop them from their seventh victory in a row. Mississinewa by 21 Norwell at Concordia - Columbia City woke Norwell up. Cadets will put up a fight in the beginning, but in the end, it's... Norwell by 28 Garrett at Yorktown - Winners of 3 of their last 4, but it's over for the Railroaders. Yorktown by 21 Luers at Churubusco - Churubusco is rolling right now, but Luers is a different beast. Knights by 14 Eastside at Manchester - Blazers are the sectional favorite. This game will be ugly. Blazers by 35 Bluffton at Tipton - Maybe one of the better games on tap this weekend. I'll take the Tigers by 7 South Adams at Adams Central - Adams Central is a machine, South Adams is on the cusp. Flying Jets by 21

We must be in a new era. Going back four decades, if someone told me 5A would be watered down by adding Snider, Merrillville, and Dwenger, I would have admitted them into a mental institution. I suppose it's a valid statement though with no real powers out of the South and Dwenger having a down year.

Lol, hope not.

I don't think they would have beaten the Irish, but I think they could have kept it within 10-14 point.

They each get a $50,000 fine.

I thought this post was intended to discuss current teams, but here goes: Dwenger's 1992 team would have given Ben Davis a run for their money. Luers 2001 could have won 4a Luers 2011 takes 3a and gives Cathedral a good game in 4a

One of the state's better teams (both could make a case for Top 5) will be clearing out their lockers after Friday night.

Perspective from Northeast Indiana: No dog in the fight. Why New Pal is the best team in the state: They beat Westfield by 14 points, whereas the #1 team in the state only beat the Rocks by only 5 They've obliterated every other team on their schedule. Why New Pal isn't the best team in the state: While the 14 point over Westfield is impressive, let's face it, the Rocks aren't as good as the team they had last year. Sagarin has New Pal as the 7th best team in the state. The highest ranked opponent outside of Westfield (14) is Mount Vernon, who is ranked 39th. New Pal's strength of schedule is less than impressive. What would make them the best team in the state: If the Dragons beat Roncalli by 14+, then blow through East Central and Northwood by 21+, then I'll be ready to partake in the conversation as to why New Pal is the best team in the state. And that could happen. But in the present, I've got to give the nod to a team like Cathedral, Brownsburg, HSE, or Center Grove based on the brutality of the schedules they play week in and week out. Here is the unfortunate reality. When debating the #1 team in the state, the advantage is always going to be given to the team who wins state in the largest division (6A) and whoever Sagarin says is the best. The 5A champ and 4A champ will always have an uphill climb in convincing others that their team is the best.

They'd wax Marian.

I really don't see any big wins on their schedule that year that would lead me to believe they would have beaten Cathedral. They beat a Roncalli team that year that had 5 other losses. I think I'd take the Irish over the Dragons that year. Cathedral was more battle tested with the stronger schedule.

Name the 4a champions that you think could have won 5a. After looking back at past 5a champions, I'm intrigued by your comment.

Impressed with Indy Lutheran.

Valid. Good luck to Andrean this year..........great program.

You're probably the least biased poster on this forum, I'll give you that. You tell it like you see it.

Couldn't agree more.

Agree and agree. Kids are still kids though, and part of that is on the coaching. I guarantee the Spartans didn't go into that game with the same motivation they went into their games against Snider or Dwenger that year.

Lol, maybe I just like rumbling with you guys from Indy. What's the fun in getting along all the time? It's been too long since we've debated.

You and I will be debating this in 2043. I'll cite that Homestead was without their top player and the rest of the team fell asleep on the 2 hour bus ride down knowing they had to play a winless team. Homestead wins that game ten times out of ten.

Of course not. I'm just referencing the fact that Snider gave up a lead and the game could have gone in either direction. Have it your way Temp. Westfield was the DOMINANT team in 5a that year. Is there a problem with Indy fans acknowledging that Central Indiana is dominant "most years?"

Maybe I'm thinking of a different game. Wasn't it still undecided in the fourth quarter. You Indy guys crack me up. I mention one competitive game and you get all bent out of shape.

You said "largest classes" and "20 years." Largest classes includes class 5a. Snider won in 2015 and were a rain storm away from winning in 2016 as well. Penn was also locked in a close game in 2015 with Center Grove. Snider could have played with anyone in the state in 2004. So yeah, "most years." I get the overall message you're trying to convey though. Indy has been dominant.

Not Penn or Crown Point?