BTF

Every source I've found is saying Spuller.

Does that really happen anymore?

The meat grinder of playing in the HCC would wear down East Central to the point where they might fall into the middle of the Indianapolis pack. But they didn't play a meat grinder of a schedule. They are healthy, fresh. Given that scenario, I think Temp is trying to say that East Central could beat anyone in the state not named Ben Davis in a one game scenario this time of year. That's how I'm perceiving it. If they played Cathedral's schedule, they might barely be cracking the Top Ten. That would be asking a lot of a school that size.

Leo just doesn't seem to have a presence on this forum like Snider does. In my opinion, Leo/Northwood and Luers/LCC is right there with Snider/Merrillville. I think all three games match up evenly matched teams. I think Adams Central roles in their game. I agree that Leo/Northwood probably has the most high level D1 talent of all the games, but Snider/Merrillville probably sports more talent across the board. Anyway. Not really sure what to say about this game other than we all expect it to be a good one. I've yet to see Northwood this year, but I've seen Leo twice. They were better the second time I saw them, which means they're playing their best football of the season. I said it once, I'll say it again. The Lions are well coached and are playing high caliber 5A, and mid caliber 6A football right now. That's pretty damn good for a 4A program. I wish them well in their game against Northwood and expect that they'll win the game tomorrow night.

The quality of Chatard and Cathedral's "reloading" will normally average out higher than that of East Central. Socioeconomics?

"Would have" from the 7 yard line? That's pretty bold. Merrillville's defense is pretty solid. I would say Valpo's chances of scoring on the next play was more like 35%. I'll defer to someone who was there.

In 1981, Snider lost to Carmel 27-0 in the state championship. That was a surprise to many after Snider utterly destroyed Hobart at semi-state. If memory serves me correctly, the state championship was a bad weather game. It didn't seem to affect Carmel though. I don't remember any of the details. I was too young. Vaughn Dunbar was 1986. It took Carmel a miracle to win that game, even with Snider's starting quarterback injured on the sidelines. With a healthy QB, Snider was far and away the best team in the state.

Good point, forgot about that. I don't see why not. They've established themselves as a "program." They haven't lost more than three games in a season dating back to 2014. And all but one of those seasons they've posted double digit wins. Yes, they seem to reload.

Fair enough. But the status of East Central, Cathedral, and Chatard is already determined.

In all fairness, I don't think that hit impacted the outcome of the game anymore than the no holding call the year before on Valpo's game winning 2pt conversion at semi-state. It appears that the ball sailed through the Valpo players hands slightly before the hit is made. He saw the Merrillville player coming and wasn't making that catch.

Chatard dodges East Central next year in 4A? Who will challenge them? New Pal the best bet? East Central vs Cathedral for 5A south. In the north it's looking like more of Merrillville and Valpo. Snider's status is unclear at the moment.

I personally don't think so. I've got 1986, 1992, and 2004 dead even. Snider losing to Carmel in 1986 was a travesty that only happens 1 time out of 10. The 2004 team played Warren Central like they were their equal..........without D1 recruit Quale Lewis, right in the middle of what many say was the greatest dynasty in Indiana high school football history. The 1992 team speaks for itself. I think the 1998 should be in the conversation, probably ahead of 2016 and 2014. Regarding this years team, I want to see how they handle the last two weeks of the season before I rank them. Right now I've got them in the Top 20, I'm just not sure where.

Agree. I might add that ESPN is the CNN of sports. Good for live sports without all the babble in between.

I would actually dub the 2021 team (the one that didn't make it out of sectionals) as Luers all time Top 10. They might even tickle that 5 spot. I'm curious what the Luers faithful think.

I'm probably one of the few who actually likes the guy. His passion for high school football is up there with anyone. And he makes message boards interesting.

He's a region guy through and through. No familiarity with Northeast Indiana.

"Merrillville vs Valpo was the real state championship, just like last year." "Snider doesn't have the strength to beat Merrillville."

I think if Russ Isaacs had MIC type resources, he'd be more in the discussion than what he is. During his time at Snider, he was the winningest coach in Indiana and was an overtime away from posting a 3-0 record against Geesman. He had a state title in 1992 over the defending national champs Ben Davis. I'd also argue that he had the best team in the state in 1997 and possibly 2004. In 16 seasons, he posted 13 sectional championships, 7 regional championships, and 3 semi-state championships all while being one of the smaller schools in his division. Also served as an assistant at Snider from 1983-1990 and 2014-present. He's been at Snider for 47 years, his only lapse in coaching football was time served as athletic director from 2009-2013 and time as wrestling coach from 1976-1982. Also of note: IFCA Distinguished Service Award in 1998 Director of Rod Woodson Football Camp from 1996-2006 Director of Bergeron Mohr Kicking Academy from 1993- (unsure) Featured speaker at many national and state coaching clinics Coached Rod Woodson, Vaughn Dunbar, and many other high caliber D1 players. Worthy of note: Head coach of the Snider wrestling program from 1976-1983 posting a record of 84-6-1

I can't say you're wrong about any of that. Only that Luers may not have been ready for what the NHC was bringing to the table. You have to admit, the strength of the NHC took us all by surprise. As Komets said. Maybe a Top 15 Luers team of all time, maybe not. I'm an optimist and wish Luers well, but l'm leaning toward "maybe not."

Already corrected the second error. Typing and thinking fast, busy day. Lost in a close one to Homestead 10-7, hence co-champions of the SAC. Either way, the game against the Spartans could have gone in either direction if memory serves me correctly.............which apparently it hasn't lately. Thanks for the corrections btw.

In all fairness, I don't think Luers was ready for the trucks that were about to run over them in the first two weeks of the season. Everyone still has the mentality that the SAC should beat the NHC. This season proved that the gap has closed drastically. That being said, if Luers played New Haven and East Noble again, I think the outcomes would be closer, but still double digit losses. If Luers wins on Friday, my thoughts are validated. But if they lose, I'm going to roll with Luers being overrated after barely squeaking through a down SAC this year. This one is hard to predict. I want to say LCC is going to pass their way to a 10 point victory. But damn, Luers did beat Homestead. And quite frankly, if Homestead was in 2A, they would be a HEAVY favorite to win 2A Prediction: Coin toss

Leo does as well. BTF Holtz says Leo in a close one. If Leo ends up playing East Central, I'm thinking a 42-21 type of game.

Hard to debate anything you just wrote.

I would have agreed with you a few years ago. But more and more I'm leaning that traveling two hours doesn't have a whole lot of affect on the outcome of a game. If anything affected HSE last year, it was the windy snow storm blowing into their sideline from the west. Hard to say though, Carroll was good.

I know, it made me laugh. BTF Holtz..............love it 🙂