BTF

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.

Do you prefer to head north to South Bend or east to Fort Wayne?

I sometimes think you get caught up in rumors that circulate throughout the hallways. No idea what you're talking about with regard to Snider and don't really care to know. Sounds like drama. Northrop? Haven't heard anything. Sounds like maybe a rumor gone bad without any pertinent facts. I thought this was a thread about Bishop Luers? You've got to hand it to those kids who wanted to stay in 3a. I think, for most kids, they would prefer to play up and face the better competition. But it seems most coaches and administrators are happy where they are placed. I don't think most head football coaches are going to voluntarily play up a class. They would rather be on a level playing field than compete with schools that are bigger and have more resources. The athletic directors? I would say it's financial. The further you advance, the more revenue for the athletic department. Personally, I'm starting to like the 2 year cycle. It gives schools an opportunity to formulate rivalries at two different class levels. It still needs some tweaking though. For many teams, talent comes and goes in two year cycles. A strong junior/senior class wins the state championship at a lower level, therefore pushing the weaker classes behind them up a class. So in many cases the team that won state should have been playing up, and the team that is rebuilding should have been playing down. I'm not sure what the answer is.

So your main objective in starting this post was to stir up controversy? Typical

I feel like the biggest attendance drop is the casual fan. I can't speak for other communities like The Region, but it seems to me that the same number of parents attend their son's football game present day as they did 20-30 years ago. I have no stats to back this up, just observance. It's the casual fan that is missing. This season could be a good case in point when Snider plays Dwenger. Both teams are supposed to be state championship caliber and will probably meet around week seven as undefeated teams. Ten to fifteen years ago, this game would have drawn 8,000 fans. This year I would expect about 5,000-6,000. That's a difference of about 2000 people who have either lost interest in the game, or who would just rather watch it on the internet.

Although it would be interesting, personally, I love the idea of Snider in the SAC under the new format. There is no denying the fact that all schools in the SAC would be better served by scheduling outside competition. Who wouldn't want to attend the following games? Snider vs Penn Dwenger vs Cathedral Homestead vs Carmel (this series has been very one sided with lopsided scores, but I still maintain that the Spartans would have given Carmel a run for their money in 2017) -these are the kind of games Homestead needs to schedule if they are ever going to be relevant in 6a. Carroll vs Warsaw (given that the Tigers continue their uptrend) Luers vs Coldwater, OH - (I love this potential match-up)

No excuses, the program that works the hardest wins the game (of course I'm talking about similar sized schools). I thought I'd disclose that before someone from a "certain school" decides to blast me about it. There is a coach out there who can turn Huntington North into a power. Hopefully it's Prescott, good luck to him.

West Lafayette, Columbus Hartley, Toledo Whitmer, Coldwater OH, Chatard? It won't be hard to find an opponent that will "better" them. No doubt Snider and Dwenger are on a collision course this year................probably twice. 5a will have it's hands full with the winner of this game. Both programs looking good going into this season.. Agree, 100% Wouldn't hurt the feelings of most fans affiliated with Snider. In fact, it would probably increase attendance. If Snider played Penn.................. only Dwenger, Carroll, or Homestead would match the attendance that the Kingsman would bring. Maybe Luers if they were having an "up" year. More Snider fans will travel to Penn than attend a game against South Side. More interesting matchups will bring higher attendance. South fans will probably show up to see their team be competitive against Belmont versus coming out to watch them get squashed by Snider or Dwenger. Let's face it, attendance has been DEAD in recent seasons. It's time to mix things up and try something different.