BTF

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.

I'm going to give FWCS the benefit of the doubt and pass that off as a rumor. I can't imagine them saying no to a donor, then changing their mind a few years later and forking over almost a million in taxpayer money. Regardless, let's thank Wendy Robinson for making this a reality. It was a big decision on the part of FWCS. I agree. A decision was made a long time ago that Snider and Northrop would share a football field. If it's Snider's field too, then why is there a Bruin in the center? They say that Snider will still be able to put up their flags and banners, but that doesn't take away from the fact that there is a mascot of their most heated rivals in the middle of the field. On one hand, I can see Snider pretending to be appreciative and continuing to bring their flags and banners. On the other hand, I wouldn't blame them for bringing nothing at all and accepting the fact that they don't have a "home" field to play on. And that's not crying over spilled milk, that's just telling your players that EVERY game is an "away" game and we will continue to win even if the game is in your backyard. I like your idea of having a football in the center. I might also consider FWCS in the endzones. I don't like the idea of SNIDER and NORTHROP plastered in the endzones, I think that would be unfair to Northrop since the field is on their campus. What about a simple panther and bruin on either side of the 50?

Let's start with Carroll, then Homestead, then maybe Penn if you can get out of Sectional 3..........................Baby steps. Seriously, I hope you guys really can compete with Penn. However, you have along way to go to be put in the "Penn" category. Right now I would say Warsaw is Carroll caliber. And I only put them in Carroll's category because they had a decent 2018. Earn your way to Penn. If you can get out of sectional 3 by upending the favorite..........Homestead..........then I will be the first fan in the stands to watch Warsaw compete with Penn. Realistically, if you go to Penn's sectional, it could be one and done. I've always thought, under the right leadership, the Warsaw community could put a quality product on the football field. I'm thinking of the Phil Jenson led teams of 2000 and 2001. In 2000, they rolled their way to a 9-2 record, beating a very good Northwood team 29-28. Their only other blemishes were an overtime loss to Homestead and a second round loss to Penn (eventual state champs) 10-7. Then came 2001. The entire Warsaw community had Penn on their mind.............they wanted revenge. However, this time, they were assigned to Sectional 3...............SNIDER. They rolled through the regular season undefeated and waxing every opponent they faced, including Kokomo 62-0 in the opening round of the sectionals. When they took the field against Snider, I couldn't believe how big they were..........their offensive line was enormous............one of the biggest I've seen at the high school level. Right away, 14-0 Warsaw. Then Snider made a slow comeback. 14-14 in the 3rd. 20-14 Warsaw (missed extra point). Last minute drive, 20-20 (missed extra point). Overtime...............Snider 23-20. That was one of the best football games I've ever witnessed. Both Penn and Snider eventually lost to Valpo that year. Valpo eventually lost to Ben Davis. It is my hope that Bart Curtis can get Warsaw to that 2001 level again. Good luck to the Tigers, I really wish them success. We need more strong programs representing 6a north.

If I'm a Warsaw fan, I'm wanting to go to Fort Wayne to compete with Homestead and Carroll rather than having to face Penn right away.

Kudos to Fort Wayne Community Schools and Wendy Robinson for making this happen. As much as it will pain Snider fans to have to look at a Bruin in the middle of the field during their home games, it's better than having to play on a field of mud. In the past, playing at Northrop was home away from home for the football program and it's fans. Snider had the flags, banners, and pads on the goalposts to make it feel like home. Now that there is a Bruin in the middle of the field, all the banners and flags won't make a difference. All games moving forward for Snider will be away games. It is what it is though, I'm sure those responsible for the decision had there reasons. Personally, I think the Bruin in the middle should be reconsidered and replaced with a FWCS logo.

Without a doubt, Bishop Luers in it's current state, is a 3a caliber program. It always has been, and probably always will be. And it's just a matter of time before they get that championship at the 3a level. Coincidentally, they seem to have up years when they are in 2a (hence the 11 state championships) and down years when they are in 3a.