BTF

The current players haven't been to a state championship, but the culture of the program knowing that teams of the past have "been there done that," in my opinion, is an emotional advantage that Ben Davis has over Crown Point. Also, is it safe to say Ben Davis players have played at Lucas Oil? Maybe a regular season game? Also, I think playing a team like IMG gives Ben Davis that "we've already been in a big game" advantage. Agree, Crown Point's schedule doesn't compare to that of Ben Davis. But they have shown up when it counts. They wasted a good Merrillville team. Yes, the Pirates are good. They took out a really good Penn team. And looked even better in the way they handled Westfield. It would be dangerous for Ben Davis not to play one of their best games of the season. I'm not sold the Giants will be a buzzsaw. I'm expecting a close game. I'll eat crow Sunday morning if I'm wrong.

I feel like anytime a first year team is going up against a team that's been there, the awe factor gets in the way. So definitely advantage Ben Davis. I think in a normal outdoor setting, the CG/Carroll game last year is a closer score. Same winner and loser, just a smaller margin of victory. I honestly haven't doubted Crown Point at all. What separates most programs is the coaching. And Craig Buzea can coach. I've never been to Crown Point, but from what I'm hearing, it's a strong community. Couple that with great coaching and you have championship caliber program. I really didn't think they'd dominate Westfield the way they did, I have to admit. They dominated the Rocks from the beginning and had them playing catchup the entire time. That alone tells me that the Giants better not sleep on this team...........I don't think they will.

I don't think it's fair to give them that designation with the schedule they play. Sure, the Moeller game was an eye opener. But there's something to be said for the absolute grind that Ben Davis, Brownsburg, and Center Grove go through every year. I currently have East Central at #5. I hope East Central fans don't take that the wrong way as I think it's one hell of a compliment for a 4A program.

I honestly didn't think you thought the gap between BD/CG/Brownsburg and HSE/Westfield was that big.

I think Northwood can keep this game competitive.

Makes you wonder how dominant this program can be if he sticks around awhile.

Maybe penalize a team somehow for putting 2nd and 3rd stringers in?

You're on a diet? You just have to make it difficult don't you.

I think this game is going to be close.

I'll take Adams Central. Two scores meaning a touchdown and a safety? Or two touchdowns?

I'd like to know what the point spread is for the Lutheran/AC game is. Need someone to pay for my dinner while in Indy.

Certainly appears that way. Yes, congrats to Luers. Keep proving everyone wrong.

I'll take Ben Davis only because Indy area teams always win the 6A title. That's all I've got.

Yes, pitiful.

1. Select a committee to determine seeds. Volunteers, wouldn't even have to pay them. Not that hard. Sagarin should only be considered as a basis for those on the committee. It would be up to each individual which metrics they use to make a determination. Sagarin has too many flaws to be the 'end all be all.' 2. Not sure what that has to do with OUR tournament. 3. Yes, 50/50. Those with sub 500 records against and vise versa. 4. That's a self serving attitude. The extra gate revenue goes toward that school's athletic department. Money doesn't grow on trees. 5. Two of the best teams in the nation should NEVER play one another in the first round. 6. To run up the score. Therefore, don't allow Sagarin to be the deciding factor. 7. That's a pretty bold statement. 8. Keep up the good work.

If you're being objective, do you think someone on the Leo sideline could say, "what if this didn't happen or that didn't happen."

Kyle Lindsay for Coach of the Year.............statewide. Many left his program for dead, including me, after the first two weeks of the season. I think they are a much better team since then.

Kudos to you for throwing that out there. Are you not expecting 1A and 2A to go to the wire?

Those are all good points that the average fan doesn't see. What are the IHSAA's thoughts on seeding the sectionals? If nothing else, for ticket revenue alone. Keeping things the way they are more than likely hurts the overall ticket gate. Where there's a will, there's a way. We as a society are satisfied with the status quo............unfortunately.

I haven't seen him here in awhile, you may have to slide over to Facebook.

I've yet to see either of these teams in person, so it's really hard to give an opinion. I do know that some very good teams end their season earlier than what they should have, I've seen it plenty of times. Not really sure in this case. Either way, at the semi-state level, a pretty damn good team was going to lose last night in devastating fashion. Losing in overtime is painful when you're that close to Lucas.

What impresses me most about Merrillville is their fan support. The catastrophe connecting Fort Wayne to the Region called US30 that INDOT has blessed Northern Indiana with didn't stop the Pirate contingent from supporting their team. Kudos to the Merrillville program and their fans. Merrillville has a very good defense that kept the game in doubt until midway 3rd quarter. At that point it just looked like Snider was wearing them down. For Komets. Here's what I believe. When Snider puts their best foot forward, they can beat anyone in the state. That's what I believe. They just concern me sometimes. Like when they went up 14-0 against Homestead in the 1st quarter then fell asleep. We all know Snider is 28 points better than the Spartans. I'm real happy for this group of kids after what happened at last year's semi-state. I have to admit, I was happy to see Snider finally ditch the full house backfield last night when inside the 3 yard line. That thing just doesn't work at this level of play.

It was said that someone would have paid $20 to see that game. Yet some will pay over $200 to watch a Colts game. That will baffle me to the day I die. Ben Davis/Center Grove is worth a lot more than twenty bucks. Quite frankly, any semi-state game is.

Sometimes it takes a few hours to let the shock subside. At the end of the day, there's some really good football up north. I'm not at all surprised by the outcome of this game, but it surprised me how many people weren't giving Crown Point a chance. I really felt this game could go either way. The only surprise in my opinion was how thoroughly Crown Point was dominating Westfield up until the later stages of the game.

HCC can't catch a break.