BTF

Good info. Thanks for the correction.

When Northrop and Wayne were constructed, the stadiums were meant for two schools to share. Maybe why that is why they pumped so much money into them. If constructed today, I'm guessing it would take 15 million. Northrop has shared with Snider since 1971. When Wayne was constructed, South Side played their home games there until the recent reconstruction of South Side High School which included a new football stadium. Concordia and Dwenger shared Zoller Stadium across the street from Concordia until Dwenger built their own stadium last year. Zollner was constructed in 1947 for the World Champion Zollner Piston softball team. In 1958 Lutheran Education Properties purchased it for the Concordia Campus. Luers and North Side always had their own stadiums and never had to share.

Fort Wayne Community Schools Snider and Northrop share at Northrop - one of the nicest facilities in Northern Indiana - even better with the new field turf. Wayne - Wayne is a duplicate of Northrop - same facility (honestly, I've yet to visit a facility.....seating parking, restrooms & concessions that's better) , no field turf. South Side - great facility, no field turf. North Side - no field turf. Dwenger and Concordia............both nice facilities...........both field turf now. Luers - no field turf. Southwest Allen County Schools Homestead - great facility with field turf. Northwest Allen County Schools Carroll - in the process of constructing a 7 million dollar stadium - seating capacity 6500 with field turf.

He has a lot of great atmospheres on his list. However, the vote is for the best "facility." One of the best facilities in all of Northern Indiana isn't even on this list for Northeast Indiana. No one's perfect I guess.

I have no idea.

Sounds like community support was the biggest factor. It's just one man's opinion.

There ya go Robert. Spuller isn't even on the radar. Maybe lacking the small town atmosphere? I still like Spuller during big games with Dwenger, Penn, and Homestead. Even Luers........they bring a good crowd considering the size of the school (I won't include Carmel since they really don't bring many fans). Nothing like seeing 5000-8000 fans packing the house and spilling out onto the hills and track. I can see where OTH is coming from though, it makes me want to check out some of the facilities and take in the atmosphere.

Not gonna lie, I was thinking the same thing. Maybe Anthony Spencer could throw in a few 🙂

Spuller stadium is top notch with the new turf. Parking...........check. Concessions...........check. Field turf..........check. Proximity of locker rooms...........check. Ample seating on both sides............check. Proximity of bathrooms............check. The only blemish I can think of is that there are two ticket booths, but only one is open. For some reason, they quit using the other one twenty some years ago. Unfortunately, during big games, upwards of 1500 fans don't get to see the kickoff due to long lines. What's your beef with Spuller Robert? You must think Spuller and Wayne are decent facilities since you made mention of them in comparison to Homestead.

Parking isn't a issue. I think it's a nice place for a football game. My only qualm is seating on the visitor side. It's normally ok for most opponents. It becomes a problem in big games agaisnt Snider, Dwenger, and I'm presuming deep run playoff games. I was there for a BIG game against Dwenger. They brought in extra seating. I don't think they've done that for Snider games. When I go to a game there, I normally don't fight the crowd on the other side, I just find a good seat on the home side. Kudos to Knights Field for coming in at #10. I'm guessing they rated 30 fields or more.

How does Luers get a score of 4 out of 5 for success. Fifteen semi-state championships, seven of which were secured at home............how does that not score a 5? Help me out here.

It's ok to agree........................once in awhile, lol. Good example. WL has run into some absolute brutal opponents. Jesuit, Yorktown, and Leo could have easily gone their way. Kudos on the Columbus East example as well................I always felt they were the Snider of the south (well, since 2004). Pioneer? I'm not an expert on 1a football, but I thought that general area was loaded with some of the states best teams. Or at least as good as any other area? I still think strength of schedule is a major factor. Let's keep an eye on Homestead as an example. When they were in the NHC, they had several undefeated seasons come to an end against Snider..........most of those games brutal. Now after playing five seasons in the SAC, they finally got there conference title. Is their program benefiting from the likes of playing teams like Snider, Dwenger, Luers, and Concordia? Or was last year, and possibly this year, a result of a couple of players who wont be around for ever? According to your socioeconomic theory, the Homestead's and Carroll's of the world should be poised for future success. But I also think some of that success should be attributed to paying SAC competition versus NHC competition.

Plain and simple.............Kyle Ralph. Let's give credit where credit is due. Coach Ralph has 4 losses in seven seasons as NP's head coach. The seven years prior to him they had 27 losses. This is not a community thing, this is a Kyle Ralph thing. He sets a new bar............and it's a high one. One thing that separates Ralph from his high level competition is his willingness to put his best athletes on both sides of the ball...........something most 6a and 5a schools do not. It's the only way New Pal can compete with larger schools and Ralph knows that. What's more impressive is how those kids manage to play four quarters without their opponents wearing them down. I've always felt like Penn's competition in the NIC was a detriment to their post season success. And I don't think it's fair to compare Penn to New Pal. Kyle Ralph is the BEST coach in high school football. Let's pick another program to compare them too...............Center Grove? The difference between the two is level of competition.........I sincerely believe that. MIC vs NIC...........huge difference. Bring me another program like New Pal, and I'll buy your argument. New Pal is an isolated example. Case in point: Geesman is one of the best high school football coaches to grace the sidelines. His 5 state championships speak for themselves. But there were many seasons where they would go undefeated and then run into Snider..........that was kind of the joke in South Bend for several years. Picking on the NIC, then Snider comes along. It was like hitting a brick wall................a well coached team with a talent level they hadn't faced all season long. The SAC back then prepared Snider better than the NIC prepared Penn. Although Geesman managed 5 state titles, I'm pretty sure he had a losing record against the Panthers.

Imagine someone telling you before the game that the winning team will score 64 points, but will be outscored 35-0 at one point in the game. You'd probably laugh and walk away from the mentally challenged guy.

1. Portage can't get any worse............it's all upside from here. Competition will be stiff. Merrillville is hit or miss, but Valpo could have a stronghold on the Duneland. The Viking's will rule with an iron fist for the foreseeable future, but Radtke finds his way to at least one Duneland title. Answer...............yes. 2. Josh Shattuck has never coached a football team that didn't see improvement from the previous year. Elkhart will be dangerous. Maybe Penn and Elkhart can make one another better. 3. At best, he sneaks into the number 4 spot. If it happens, it won't be overnight. I'm thinking 3 or 4 years. And if it does happen, it won't be sustained. The HCC is solid, good luck to him. 8. They seemed to do just fine before Charlie got there. As long as Kyle Ralph is there, NP will compete for championships.

They do seem to be living on past glory, but that's only natural with the two highest winning percentages in college football. Neither program is too far off the grid though.

Good academics and very high percentage of players who graduate with degrees. One of the reasons I have a lot of respect for Michigan.

Can't make excuses when you have the resources that Texas and California have. The same can be said for Indiana basketball.

If the right coach comes along and proves to the west coast kids that they can win again, I think they will choose to stay closer to home and play teir 2 & 3 type competition. USC still has a strong brand.

November 7, 2020

Hello Mcfly! Anyone home? I referenced the Top 5 programs on ND's schedule over the last 8 years. Clearly you're not even smart enough to have a debate with. Taken out of context............run along little boy. Most people, including Bleacher Report and Sporting News go back 5-10 years when rating a program. You go back one year. You're silly. They've been saying USC is a sleeping giant for the past few years. But I agree, with the right coach, they could be dominant again.

Since 2012 2019 Georgia 23, ND 17 at Georgia 2018 ND 21, LSU 17 Neutral 2017 Georgia 20, ND 19 at ND 2015 Clemson 24, ND 22 at Clemson 2014 ND 31, LSU 28 Neutral 2013 Oklahoma 35, ND 21 at ND 2012 ND 30, Oklahoma 13 at Oklahoma Yeah, yeah. Clemson waxed ND in 2018 like they did everyone else. Alabama waxed ND in 2012. Looking at the seven games above and you can honestly say that Notre Dame "isn't a player, not even a threat?" I hope Clemson feels that way when they come to South Bend, the Irish should win by 21...............but they won't, because Dabo Swinney isn't stupid. Conversation over pal, you obviously have a bias against the Irish.

Fair enough, I can't argue with that. Notre Dame needs a signature win and they'll get it this fall when Clemson comes to South Bend..................keep the receipt on that one. I'll happily eat crow if I'm wrong. I don't even think Notre Dame will win against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field. The Badgers will be jacked up. Clemson will face the same fate in South Bend when the Irish will be jacked up. Agree with Oklahoma. The playoff should consist of Clemson, the SEC, and the Big Ten.........................period. Big 12 and Pac 12 can forget it unless something changes.

Then why doesn't ND get credit with their injury to Love in the Clemson game. He went down, Clemson exploited that and scored three touchdowns. The other three quarters were almost dead even.

I think, by and large, a larger portion of kids in Montgomery Alabama take football more seriously than the kids of Detroit. I don't think there is a talent difference, I think it's a commitment difference.