BTF

I'm jumping on the Carroll bandwagon just like everyone else. Good enough to represent the north? I think it's possible. But until their defense shows it on the field, I'm going to roll with Westfield as the clear cut favorite.

Good for him. I thought he would go D1 after watching his sophomore and junior seasons, but I'm no scout.

The big question for me is how well will Dwenger reload. They lose a bunch, but the kids in their pipeline are tough and always seem to step up. Valpo had a very good two year run just like Dwenger did. Again, a solid program every year. Do they take a downturn this season? Based on last year's performance, Zionsville has to be pegged as the team to beat up north at this point. Let's give credit where credit is due. And we know they'll be battle tested. They won't fear anyone north of their HCC opponents. New Pal's Kyle Ralph is 96-6 since taking over in 2013. Did I do the math right? Let's just put them at #2 behind Cathedral. Whiteland. Stock up or down from last year? If up, watch out. If down, the south is the Cathedral/New Pal show. I almost forgot to mention Cathedral. Probably because everyone is already dubbing them as the 5a champions.

I can only speak for #4. Snider is on an upcycle going into 5a. Those around the program seem to be excided about what this team can accomplish. Keep an eye on Week 2.

Looks good!

Because athletes, administrations, the NCAA, and professional owners decided that it's ok to mix business with politics. That's the unfortunately reality. Since we are discussing this in "The Next Level," bringing up politics should be considered acceptable since sports and politics now seem to go hand in hand. In my opinion, it wouldn't be appropriate in the High School message board. Let's keep high school athletics pure. Go to a game and support the kids who make up your local community. That's pretty impressive. Kudos to the IU kids as well. The State of Indiana seems to be well represented!

They just need to wear a sign stating whether they love our country or hate is so that we know who to cheer for.

Ohio State..........50 from Ohio, 70 from other states.

"Local rivalries and communal pride." That pretty much sums up high school football. Take IU as a case in point. Half of the roster is comprised of kids from Indiana and the other half from other states, namely Florida. Is it a true representation of Indiana? The same can't be said at the high school level. When Pioneer suits up to play Lewis Cass, it's 100% our neighborhood versus yours. That's what I love about high school football.

Notre Dame, Michigan, Iowa, Penn State, Tennessee, and Wisconsin also offered.

Steve Cooley took a Harding program that could barely win a game and had them going toe to toe with the SAC's best.........mid 90's I believe. He really jumpstarted that program before Sherwood Haydock took over. At the time, I viewed him as a state championship caliber coach. I'm not sure how his career went after he left Harding.

Warsaw would be about 45 minutes from most of their SAC competition........Wayne being the furthest at 60 minutes. Huntington North would be 20-40 minutes from SAC opponents. LaPorte to Crown Point = 54 minutes LaPorte to Crown Point = 45 minutes Valpo to Crown Point = 33 minutes

Warsaw would be a great addition to the SAC. May have to invite Huntington North or Leo to have an even number of teams. At the end of the day though, if the SAC were ever to expand, I could see Leo first, New Haven second, HN third, and Warsaw fourth as priority schools...........mainly for distance reasons.

Thanks for the info. The north isn't the same without Carmel. They are welcome up here anytime.

In any event, I don't like the two year cycle. I've been saying it for the last few years. Just my opinion.

"Maybe the sample size should broaden because 2 years isn't really "success" in some people's eyes." For some programs, a two year run could just be a fluke, then the class underneath gets punished as he stated. You know you have a program when you sustain success for four consecutive years. I'm in favor of realigning every four years instead of two.

So is Zionsville 5a or 6a this year?

Being in the HCC prepped them for long runs in 5a. The challenge intensifies now that they are a 6a school. Did they bump up to 6a due to success or enrollment?

There's a growth explosion in Fort Wayne right now and most of it is up north in the Carroll district. Sitting at just over 2400 students currently, their enrollment will continue to climb. With a new 8 million dollar stadium and facilities and socioeconomics that could rival any in the state, it would be crazy to think that Carroll isn't trending up. But until they get that SAC title, they take a back seat to Snider, Dwenger, and Homestead.

So Crown Point, Elkhart, Carroll, and Westfield will be the major players in the north? Who are the teams on the outside looking in? Merrillville, Penn, Warsaw, Lafayette Jeff, and Homestead? I'll never count out Homestead. They are the two time SAC defending champions and is dubbed as Quarterback U by folks in Northeast Indiana since they are always reloading at that position. Unfortunately for the Spartans though, they do seem to have a ceiling that they just can't get beyond. Don't sleep on Penn either. They are two years removed from embarrassing Carmel before bowing out in the state championship game. That program's not going away anytime soon.

As a coordinator? As a head coach, I could see him going back to a mid major.

I would have to agree with that. I'm actually surprised that Jeff Becker doesn't have any more offers than he does. That kid can sling it and put points on the board. Correction though, Mason Englert was their top receiver a year ago and is now playing in the NAIA. But those other wideout's are studs. Lot's of upside for the Chargers. Keep an eye out Week 2. Carroll takes on Snider and their eighteen returning starters. Not to ever count out Dwenger and Homestead, but that game could determine the SAC champion. The core of Snider's coaching staff is still there and with an Indiana recruit anchoring the offense and a Purdue kid navigating the defense, I think the Panthers have an upside to. We'll find out on the field.

Good, that pretty much eliminates the Big 12 from competing with Notre Dame and the Big Ten for a playoff spot.

SAC not much better: Zionsville upends Dwenger Warsaw takes out Carroll Homestead waxed by Westfield Snider off the radar

Up here in the Fort, I'm looking forward to two games that first week: Luers vs Carroll.........We find out if Carroll is better than they were last year. If so, the rest of the SAC may be in trouble. Luers fans are as excited about this team as they have been in a long time. If that's the case, look for the Knights to give the big SAC schools some competitive games. Wayne vs Dwenger........Wayne is looking to get back to their championship ways with a state champion coach at the helm in his second year. Dwenger apparently is going through a rebuilding year. Could be a good game.