BTF

Decisions like that normally aren't implemented overnight. I'm not complaining though, I felt all along that 6a was a better fit for Snider and 5a (at least) for Cathedral. And the rule is spot on. If you are a sectional champion, you shouldn't go down a class.

Makes sense. If it were to two other teams this wouldn't even be a discussion. But since it's Snider and Cathedral, they decided to implement the new rule NOW, not later. But at the end of the day, no one can argue that Snider is a 6a caliber program and Cathedral is a 5a/6a caliber program.

I would agree with that statement 100%. Every word of it. However, I do like the new rule. If a team is good enough to call themselves sectional champions (Snider), why would they go down a class? If a team is good enough to call themselves regional champions (Cathedral), why would they go down a class. This new rule is good for the game. But why wasn't it implemented for the NEXT cycle? Robert is right, normally something like this takes years to change, not weeks.

If he goes to Alabama, he gets name recognition. What player wouldn't want to say............"I played for Alabama!" He also gets an opportunity to go to the playoffs every year that he is there. If he goes to Indiana, he's probably a four year starter if he were to stay that long. He would be there for two years, showcase himself as a first round draft pick, then opt for the NFL one or two years sooner than he would had at Alabama. He could also say that he was an instrumental part of IU resurgence. Kids are always better off if they stay home. They will normally have unconditional support from the fan base. When you choose to play for a school 500 miles away, you just become another body and the fan base is more likely to turn on you. Notre Dame? Best of both worlds. Notre Dame's name recognition is on a level playing field with Alabama. Notre Dame is also known for producing first round offensive linemen. And when it's all said and done with, the education he will get at Notre Dame will pretty much guarantee him success after football. Notre Dame is the best place for this kid. But it certainly wouldn't hurt my feelings if he ended up at Indiana. Is Purdue in the running? Recruits................stay home and represent your home state!

If a ref is working for $50 per game, he's doing it for fun or exercise, not income.

It could happen. Every once in awhile all, of the 3000+ enrollment schools have an average or down year at the same time. Case in point...............2015. Not taking anything away from the great program of Center Grove, but Snider and New Pal would have had a good shot to win 6a that year. If Warsaw can put together 2000-2001 type season, anything is possible.

1. Remembering the Phil Jenson led teams from 1999-2001. Bart Curtis appears to be heading in that direction. Inches from beating Penn in 2000 and inches from beating Snider in 2001. 3. Great idea, but you'll get resistance on that like you always do. 4. Right now it's just a thought, but I hope it comes to fruition. I enjoyed watching Snider play Penn and Cathedral. It brought larger crowds than playing some of the local competition. 5. Coldwater Ohio (smaller school, but a major powerhouse) isn't too far from Fort Wayne. They came here one time. Elmhurst wanted relief from playing Snider and picked up Coldwater. Coldwater felt offended that they were a "relief" game. It was over after the first quarter. 8. It's hard not to root for a guy like Tom Allen. I hope he can keep up with what Brohm is doing at Purdue. I see that the boilermakers cracked the Top 25 in recruiting this year. And Brohm ditching Louisville? I'm a fan. 10. I love loyalty. I would like to see him stay at New Pal. But you are right, he has potential on a larger scale. 11. Fort Wayne South. Matt Land in 2005. 11-3. Three points from a state title appearance. South Side has that potential, they just haven't had a coach to get them there. 12. I remember when all you heard of from south of Indy was the city of Evansville and Bloomington South. I still have a hard time comprehending that the south has some pretty darn good football. Equal the north now?

Comparable to Ben Davis? That's what the remind me of.

That's an understatement.

I don't think they mean much either.........................until November. By then, I think the Sagarin has a pretty good handle on things. Honestly, I think they would be more accurate if they calculated the score after 3 periods instead of the entire game. Some teams keep their starters in the whole game even when it's a blowout. Others pull their starters after the 3rd. Student body in the 80's and 90's consisted of 2100-2200 kids. Nowadays it's around 1700-1800. So yes, I do agree that it is a bit more challenging. Also, many white collar families have moved out of the Snider district and into Carroll and Homestead over the past couple of decades. That makes a difference too. How far back are you going? I'm certain Snider and Penn have played over 20 games.

Warsaw has a smart head coach. It seems like he want's to be more than competitive at the 6a level. He probably has his sights on winning the whole thing. I'm looking forward to seeing how well Warsaw does over the next couple of years.

I doubt you'll get anyone from Indianapolis who'll say "we don't wanna play Snider because it won't be a competitive game." Ben Davis, Carmel, Warren Central, ect. Snider's played them all. Two seasons ago Snider had Carmel down 14 points late in the 3rd and pinned at there own 10 yard line. Then a roughing the punter was called and that pretty much changed the dynamic of the game. Carmel won 22-21. Carmel is 7-0 against Snider in games decided by 3 points or less. So yes, most of the time it's a competitive game. I remember a couple of blowouts that Snider handed to Carmel. When Carmel win's big, it's always by 2 or 3 touchdowns, but no more. Penn has won 3 of the last 4. Overall, I think Penn holds a one or two game advantage in 20+ meetings.

Correct. Not sure anyone is debating that fact. On one hand, you could say Snider's performance in 6a is what bumped them back down. However, a team could be Top 10 two years in a row and have the misfortune of running into Carmel at the regional level both years. Therefore, not accumulating enough points to stay in that class. The debate on this thread is whether or not Snider is competitive at the 6a level. Facts going back a decade indicate an overwhelming yes.

Disagree 100%. Out of 37 teams in 5a, Snider will be top 5 most years, top 10 every year. In 6a, they are top 15 every year, and top 5 some years. The better fit is 6a. Case in point.............Sagarin had Snider at #11 to finish last season and that was just an AVERAGE Snider team...... at best. The gap between the good and the bad in 6a is sickening. Losing Snider doesn't do 6a any favors from a competitive standpoint. The season before last, Snider had Carmel down 2 touchdowns before self destructing late in the game and losing by 1. Snider beat Penn in 2012 (7 years ago), lost in 2013 & 2014, and IMO, would have beaten them in 2015. Last year, Sagarin had Snider at #11, Penn at #17. I may be a bit of old school, but the playoffs aren't the playoffs if Snider's not butting heads with either Carmel or Penn.

Good post. The bottom line.................5a is still solid. The south took a hit, but the north is stronger. Really no other way to look at it. True fact. Snider is 0-7 against Carmel in games decided by 3 points or less.

Elaborate if you would. Thanks.

The fact of the matter is, it's about quantity, not quality. Lose three, gain two. Snider, Dwenger, Cathedral, Roncalli, and Columbus East are on a level playing field. No one is dismissing the quality of the three teams from the south. Weren't you the one who said "the gains are no where near the quality of the losses"? Your not going to get anyone from Fort Wayne to buy into that statement. Sounds like you are the one dismissing the quality of the north. So if you what you are looking for are posters who will jump on your "5a is down" bandwagon, you might what to restart this thread, draw a horizontal line through Indianapolis, and invite only posters south of that line.

This is getting comical. Be careful, New Pal thought they were unstoppable a few years ago and then found themselves down 42-14 in the championship game.

Only down slightly as a result of losing three and gaining two. The quality of teams are the same.

Certainly not a dump. Certainly not a cheap shot. It's just small. I think Luers has a beautiful campus and it's great they play their games there. I just think they leave some money on the table when hosting some of the teams that bring a big following. Good luck to the Knights this year! Back to Dwenger. Both teams could very well be 8-0 this year when they meet. That means 5000-10000 depending on the weather. Luckily the game is being played at Spuller. But I can't help but wonder what it's going to look like the first time Dwenger hosts Snider when both teams are undefeated. Maybe it will all work out. Anyway, congrats to Dwenger on their new field.

I hope they didn't use Luers as a model. If they did, I hope they added 1500 seats or better. I would be concerned with hosting big games against Luers, Snider, Homestead, and Carroll. Do Luers, and maybe Dwenger, leave a lot of money on the table due to lack of seating? I skip the Snider/Luers game whenever it is away. Their visitor side holds maybe 500 people.

Good response. That made me laugh...............literally!

Considering he can circle the earth several times in a minute, Superman might be kind of hard to catch on the football field.

Good luck to New Pal, it sounds like they have a heck of a team coming back for 2019. Whoever makes it out of the north will welcome the challenge.

Not so fast Indy Coach. Snider and Dwenger might have a say this year. It will be a fight to the end. Slight edge to Dwenger..............they hoist the 2019 state championship 5a trophy. Or.................Snider/New Pal rematch? 5a will be interesting this year, to say the least.