BTF

Snider picked up Penn after Elmhurst and Harding shut down. Then the SAC picked up Homestead and Carroll in 2015. So before 2011 and after 2014, the SAC was an island conference.

Snider hasn't gotten out of sectional in three years. We're getting ahead of ourselves here.

Who would put more fans in the stands? An out of state team or Snider?

Where was Penn when open dates came to fruition for the SAC? I have a hard time believing that Snider didn't reach out to them. I'm just speculating.

For similar size schools to compete with New Pal, they have to put their 11 best guys on offense and defense and hope they are in as good of condition as the Dragons. From what I understand, New Pal plays their best athletes on both sides of the ball. I'm not sure how they would compete with 6a programs otherwise.

Merrillville shouldn't worry, this is their year.

Norwell 30-14

Blowout? I disagree. But I think it's too early to draw that conclusion. If Snider fails to make it out of sectional for the fourth year in a row, then I'll concede. If they win state, then we'll have to revisit this. You've stated that Snider has a fighting chance, we get that. But I don't think Merrillville, North Side, and Mishawaka are as pitiful as you make them out to be.

Noted. And thank for your insight. Snider, Merrillville, Mishawaka, and North Side must really be awful.

I thought you were referencing the regular season: "A Luers team who goes 2-7 or 3-6 playing the schedule they currently do will always finish in the top 32 of class 2A or 3A." Which begs the question: What were they ranked before the tournament started in 2013?

Multiple teams? Are we talking two teams here? Without breaking a sweat equates to blowing out your opponent. Let's wait a few weeks before drawing that conclusion.

Fact or speculation?

I get a good little chuckle every time I hear that "5A is weak."

I have these two teams even up. I think the two hour bus trip to Freed Field gives Penn an advantage.

Not a good year for Homestead to take on the top of the HCC.

If the IHSAA read these submissions, then you are in the process of giving them a migraine.

I missed "or a 10th regular season game against an opponent of your choosing" when reading through the posts. The 10th game would solve the qualifier issue with regard to revenue.

Re-read my post: "If they implemented a qualifier and eliminated half the teams from the field, there would be an uproar. And you'd have loss of athletic department revenue." The 0-9 or 1-8 team is accustomed to playing that 10th game. So yes, there would be some disappointment. I agree with "add a 10th regular season game."

Interesting point. The IHSAA is damned if they do and damned if they don't. If they implemented a qualifier and eliminated half the teams from the field, there would be an uproar. And you'd have loss of athletic department revenue. The only solution in my opinion is to seed the tournament with an all-in format. Sure there'll be lots of blowouts, but like they say, get better or get used to it. I just don't like to see good programs like Penn, Carroll, Brownsburg, and Ben Davis pack their bags after the first week. Those hard working programs earned their way to a deeper run.

They can certainly make a legitimate case. I'd like to see how 5a North would compete with them. But as a fan of the game, it'll be more fun to see how New Pal stacks up against the 6a mega schools.

Your opinion is that, currently, those are the top two teams in the state? Roncalli 17, Chatard 14 Cathedral 38, Chatard 0 I think you could make a case for New Pal, but not Roncalli. I'll defer to what some of the Indy area guys have to say if they want to chime in.

You are probably more familiar with Northwood than I am. I guess we'll see what happens. Personally, I'd love to see New Pal in 5a this year.

Ben Davis/Brownsburg was the other game that caught my attention. HSE and Fishers drew a favorable road to the sectional championship.

Arguably the most intriguing first round game state wide. It's ok to start this thread early since both teams will win their Week 9 games and rest their starters in the second half. Penn is on an upswing this year and is looking like what a Penn team is supposed to look like. Unfortunately they drew a Carroll team that appears to be on a mission. I've got the Kingsman bowing out in the first round, but Carroll will have to give them their best shot on the road. Anything less and the Chargers will be cleaning their lockers. Coach Dinan knows this. He was coaching at Snider in 2003 when the 12-1 Panthers took the trip to Freed Field and got waxed 62-27.

Lol, still doesn't make a bit of sense to me. But whatever.