BTF

On 11/13/2019 at 12:07 PM, Footballking16 said:

I'm not.

Recruiting has seen an uptick the last two years and its starting to pay dividends. We had some heartbreaking endings the last 2 years but we were playing with an extremely young core and they are only getting better with experience.

I fully expect IU to compete Saturday with Penn State and absolutely believe they can beat Michigan at home. Not only do I expect them to beat Purdue Thanksgiving weekend, I expect them to win by 2 TDs. This isn't your fathers Indiana team. They have talent, they have depth, and most importantly they have absolutely bought into the culture that Allen is instilling.

I am.

They need a good win against a ranked opponent. Right now, I have no reason to believe they will do any better than 1-2 over the next few weeks. They've only played two better than average teams this year and lost both games. They were waxed by 41 to a great OSU team and by 9 to an average Michigan State team. I think we all have reason to be skeptical. Are they playing good right now according to the eye test? Absolutely. But I'm ready to see a win against a ranked opponent.

I like Tom Allen and Indiana, I wish them the best. They will finish 8-4 this year with a very close win against Purdue. They are heading in the right direction. 

1 hour ago, TeddyGuerin said:

Pretty much on pace with what everyone else is saying. This should be a drubbing. I’ve said my prayers that all the boys from Concordia stay safe and healthy. But Chatard is way too good and there is no upset on the cards. I’m a blunt poster in here and anybody can back that up from the sectional thread. I tell it how it is. Chatard is the #2 team in the state. They will out physical and out finesse Concordia and play Catholic school ball. Chatard’s big thing is their hammer (my Golden Eagles copied them) and a hammer is what all of Fort Wayne will see. Best of luck to both teams though. 

Well, maybe 700 of the 500,000 metro area will see it. Six hundred and seventy five at the game and another 25 watching online. Another 5000 watching other area games. Ten thousand more reading about it in the Journal Gazette in the morning. Honestly? The other 484,300 probably don't care that much.  And don't forget about prayers for the Chatard boys.................all the kids need to be safe, not just Concordia. 

Prediction: The "#2" team in Indy shouldn't have much problem with a Concordia team that sports 6 seniors. Chatard 52, Concordia 14

10 minutes ago, Footballking16 said:

Not nearly as big as Noblesville, but would say it still has that small town atmosphere (for now). Between New Pal, Greenfield, and sections of McCordsville/Fortville, Hancock County is steadily growing.

Gotcha. Thanks

14 minutes ago, Footballking16 said:

It is

So it's not really a small town atmosphere, more like a Noblesville?

New Pal looks like a suburb of Indy. Am I wrong?

Without a signature win, I'd be surprised if anyone gave Allen a serious look. He still has something to prove at IU. I think there is a better than 50% chance they finish the season 0-3. Now, if he can go 2-1? Then I think there could be some serious interest. I like Allen, I'm just not sold yet. 

Born and raised in Indiana, would he even consider leaving IU as long as they are within salary range of other programs?

49 minutes ago, Temptation said:

I'll complicate matters with two rankings:

Overall Body of Work

1.  Ben Davis

2.  Carmel

3.  Warren Central

4.  Center Grove

5.  Homestead

6.  Merrillville

7.  Warsaw

8.  Zionsville

 

How they are playing RIGHT NOW

1.  Carmel

2.  Center Grove

3.  Ben Davis

4.  Warren Central

5.  Zionsville

6.  Homestead

7.  Merrillville

8.  Warsaw

I understand that Ben Davis is playing really well right now, but how can you say that their overall body of work makes them #1? They have four losses and two of them were by 21+ points. What am I missing here?

46 minutes ago, BDGiant93 said:

Biased, I admit.

1 BD

2 Carmel

3 WC

4 CG

5 Zionsville

6 Merrillville

7 Homestead

8 Warsaw

Winners of 6 out of their last 7, I think BD has as good of a chance as anyone. 

I think you are putting too much stock into what happened to Homestead at Noblesville. 

At this point, I will just take Sagarin's word for it. It's kind of hard to rank these teams when you haven't seen each one play.

1.   Carmel

2.   Warren Central

3.   Center Grove

4.   Ben Davis

5.   Homestead

6.   Merrillville

7.   Zionsville

8.   Warsaw

13 minutes ago, dmizers3 said:

Agree, it's a coin flip game.  Only shock would be if it's a blow out either way.

I've seen a lot of football. Nothing would shock me more. 

8 minutes ago, dmizers3 said:

That 2015 title game was fun but weird, we were terrible in the 1st quarter,  Snider was terrible in the 3rd and in the end a blocked XP was the difference.  And yeah played in 5A since 2015 and haven't really missed a beat.  Consistently close to 100% attendance in off season participation.  Typically only stuff missed is cause kids are in other sports which Coach Ralph encourages. 

That's great, much respect for the New Pal program. Nothing against Cathedral, but I hope New Pal pulls this one off. Looks like a 50/50 game to me. 

8 minutes ago, INHSFootball said:

well they blow out every team so they do not play much. Easy schedule

Lol, good point. But they did go four quarters against Snider, a team that has no players playing both ways, in the 2015 championship game. Surprisingly, they were more competitive in the second half than the first. Should have been the other way around. 

9 minutes ago, dmizers3 said:

A big part of it yes.  My kid was a senior on the 2014 4A title team so he saw pre Coach Ralph as well as the changes Coach Ralph implemented and the biggest difference is the off season participation in conditioning and weight room.  When at best you have 50-60 kids(including a lot of freshmen) on the sidelines on Friday night you've got to be strong  in incredible shape. It's not really an option to not have quite a few 2 way guys.  I still remember that 1st parents meeting with Coach Ralph and him saying if you buy in we will compete for state championships consistently.  I kinda thought "sounds great but we shall see, we were just 3-7". Well here we are 7 years in and Coach Ralph is 85-4 with 3 finals appearances and 2 titles and a legit shot again.  

I've always been curious how a school with an enrollment of 1400 competes year in and year out with much larger schools. Makes sense now. 

1 hour ago, Robert said:

This week will probably be Concordia, Dwenger, and Homestead.  Not sure if RIver Bend Pizza, Lexy's Grinders, or Mama Mia's. 

River Bend huh? Wow Robert, I think we might have something in common!

4 minutes ago, dmizers3 said:

Quite a few that play both ways.  We have a very physical group.  I don't see it being a big issue.   And I'm not saying we will out physical Cathedral by any stretch.  But don't look for New Pal to wear down, as I don't expect the Irish will either.  I was honestly very surprised that we wore down Center Grove in the 4th quarter.  But then again I'd hate to be a DL or LB and have to tackle Spegal for 4 quarters.  I know its cliche but I very much believe whoever controls the line of scrimmage better wins.  I expect an instant classic. 

Has that been the ingredient to New Pal's success over the years? Playing the best athletes on both sides of the ball and hoping they are in better physical condition than their opponents? 

2 hours ago, Robert said:

where I'd never miss a game.  Now, thinking about staying home and watching youtube on the TV on Friday.  What's wrong with me?

Watching a football game on a 55" tv, in the comfort of your family room, with the fireplace on and a pizza sitting on the end table? Nothing is wrong with you Bob. I'm guilty as well. It's hurting attendance in a big way. Does the athletic department of the school who's game is being streamed get any kind of a cut from the website that is streaming it? 

16 minutes ago, Lysander said:

I expect a good game.

BTW, that 2016 Concordia team was a monster and doesn’t get enough credit historically.  It embarrassed a lot of quality 3A teams.

I can remember a time when they were the punching bag of the SAC. That seemed to turn around somewhere around 2000. They've had some pretty competitive teams since then. It was nice to see them get it done in 2016. 

Being part of the SAC, they are used to being the underdog. They will come out Friday night and give Chatard their best shot. 

I'm debating whether to take a drive down the street to see if Concordia can pull off the upset or make the 25 minute drive south to see how the SAC stacks up against Indy. Dwenger has a monster of a game in Lafayette. I can't remember when the SAC didn't at least have one team playing at semi-state. I'm hoping this isn't that year. 

19 minutes ago, Lysander said:

I may have to put this up for a car vote on the way.  Either way, I am appreciative of all the recommendations.

You're coming a long way. I hope the Cadets don't mercy rule you guys after two quarters. 

7 hours ago, kdets89 said:

Great pregame dinner option is The Acme Bar & Grill on East State St., minutes from Concordia.  Smoked wings are terrific, and they have the best breaded tenderloin in the state.

Have you had the tenderloin at Mitchell's? I'll try one at the Acme and let you know. 

4 hours ago, FWfootball10 said:

I’ve heard a lot of people say that could be the best team in Fort Wayne history. Certainly could make the case for Snider in 92 when they beat Ben Davis in 5a and some other years as well for Snider.

The Dwenger teams of the early 90's were good, but I'm going to go with Snider 2004.

I'm going with the home team. New Pal 28, Cathedral 24

21 minutes ago, FWfootball10 said:

Pretty even game I’m thinking. John Harrell has Dwenger by 4. Might help Harrison that they are at home and BD goes on a long bus ride for the first time all year. I really have no idea what to expect besides the fact I think it will be close. Patrick Finley didn’t play last week against Northrop. They are already without their best defensive player for the year, I don’t know if they can win without their best offensive and defensive players in the lineup. Will be close either way imo but Finley might give them that extra spark that they need to win if he plays. 

It's a long bus ride for sure. This may be a game that favors the home team. However, Dwenger is a resilient bunch. Never doubt them. 

10 minutes ago, Lysander said:

Any recommendation for good eats pregame?   It’s been a few years but I ate at a great place downtown called “Club Soda”.  Might be too nice for some of the rowdies I may have tagging along, though (if it’s still around).

I’m trying to get my priorities straight.

Mitchell's Sports Bar & Grill...................... amazing food! Off 24 and about 20 minutes from the stadium.

BJ's Brewhouse.............off Coliseum.  6-7 minutes from stadium. 

I feel like Dwenger used to have trouble with long road games. New coach, new team. 

Dwenger 17, Harrison 14

The game should be at Zollner, it's Concordia's home field. 

1 hour ago, psaboy said:

Yeah, Snider is a 5A forced to play 6A for four years 😞

It's still fun though to watch them knock heads with schools 2 and 3 times their size. Deep runs are fun, but so are contests against Carmel and Penn. 

4 minutes ago, Coach Hanson said:

That 2016 Concordia team was truly something special in 3A. I think that Chatard’s playoff run this year from now to the state finals will be similar when it comes to having lopsided wins over good 3A teams. Will be interesting to watch though!

I agree. I like Concordia, but they are no match for Chatard this year.