Lysander

The best coach in Connersville HS football history could also be considered one of the best coaches in Indiana HS football history - that would be Russ Radtke. He stopped at Connersville for a cup of coffee early in his coaching career. Although it was brief, some folks still talk about him. Goes to show a coach can actually make a difference….it’s not all Jimmies and Joes.

I agree that I think it’s hard to get a pinpoint measure on any of those teams individually from those rivalry games and I also agree that East Central, by all appearances appears better than last year (and they were simply a “machine” in the post-season last year). But Roncalli also appeared to be absolutely dominant the last couple of years and failed in both years to make it to Lucas. As regards 4A South, no one here ever really knows anymore what is coming out of Evansville because of the recently closed SAC but Memorial and/or Reitz could be great for all I know. That leaves East Central, Roncalli, New Pal, and either Memorial or Reitz to contend for the South. I’d also keep in mind that the East Central/Roncalli game has taken on a level of rivalry much like the Cathedral/Chatard/Roncalli games and it’s possible even an overpowering East Central falters in such a game. New Pal doesn’t appear to be as completely overpowering as recent years so it’s entirely within the range of probability that Roncalli survives to make it to State. The only thought I have outside of that is that, based on the last decade or so of experience, the likely winner comes out of the South - whoever that winner is.

Yes….it has. Anyone overlooking Roncalli does so very much at their peril.

Just to be a completist from yesterday: Chatard Freshmen 21 Cathedral Freshmen 14 I know PBJ always wants to acknowledge the Freshmen score so I thought I’d note it. I guess Chatard’s kids must have attended more special camps…

I thought I mentioned something about “a mechanism to part rube pre-high school kids parents from their money.”

The new “normal” for Cathedral is to be a Top 10 program EVERY year that is capable of winning 6A in any given year……INCLUDING THIS YEAR. No one here is ever going to mistake me for some guy who is all “kumbaya” when it comes to Cathedral but they will be and are fine…and might well still win it all this year. Let’s be clear, both Cathedral and Chatard hate to lose games to each other or anyone else but they both are quite prepared to regularly play a schedule that will result in the loss of 3 or more games playing a pre-playoff schedule that makes them better for said playoffs. Frankly, Cathedral has taken that concept to another level. During the Streif years they aggressively sought out high-profile in and out of state games that have served to elevate the school’s exposure even more so than it was. Moving Cathedral up to 6A has served to, frankly, rocket them even higher in their ability to access athletes from all over central Indiana who realize they can play for them…and increase their own personal exposure. If you’re a great athlete in Pike township (and there are a TON of those kids out there) why in the world would you play for Pike when Cathedral is 30 minutes away? Cathedral will be fine. They are an immensely talented team that can win it all this year or in any given year. As a side note, I think if Carmel and Center Grove continue to take advantage of playing these out of state powerhouses it will also make them even more successful than they already are as Indiana powers (admittedly CG seems to have had the better of it so far).

I hear that phrase “off-season” training used as something you “buy” as opposed to the weight training, etc. that serious and quality football teams expect from athletes in the off-season that is offered as part of the program. As to off-season “camps”, unless things have changed at Chatard, any “skill camp” other than the one the school offered was historically strongly discouraged. And if you’re referencing some sort of off-season travel football teams that seems to be a mechanism to part rube pre-high school kid parents from their money and likely end a kid’s playing days early. Football ain’t hoops….thank God. I feel like I see this “off-season training” used elsewhere (over on the moronic Facebook page) as something generally wealthy suburban schools or private/parochials have some sort of access to that allows them to somehow “buy” performance for their kids. Frankly, it’s a canard….just another excuse in my mind…and it seems to be a largely rural v. city thing. Off-season training is something you just do. Although I played football in HS, it was track that paid for my college. My off-season training was running the highways 8-10 miles per day and the cost was time, sweat, blisters and a couple pair of Nikes per year. Sorry, PTR, I just had a “Get off my lawn!” moment and, admittedly, it was directed at some of the stuff I read elsewhere.

What do you mean by “resources”? That word can cover a lot of ground. Chatard is an Indianapolis Catholic Archdiocese school along with Ritter, Scecina and Roncalli and tied to rules, regs, etc. of the Archdiocese. Cathedral is an independent private school with a strong Catholic affiliation but not an Archdiocese schools.

No to be disagreeable but nope...not "brothers"....and not 'little". If anyone on the field on either side feels that way then maybe they need to be playing soccer. I'll let it go at that.

Chatard 24 Cathedral 21 Final

Cathedral/Chatard postponed until 10:00 AM tomorrow at Chatard. The lights shut off at Arlington.

I've heard they have a sinkhole in that field the Colts paid for. Whether true or not, that's what I was told.

Is that Moeller's German cousin?

Chatard 14 Roncalli 7 Good game....not that I'm surprised. I'd argue Chatard left 7 more points off the scoreboard through a serious mental mistake with a second to go in the first half. That said, a win is a win. As I suspected, rumors of Roncalli's demise are greatly exaggerated - especially in light of how tightly the Franklin Central team they lost 20-6 to last week just played Brownsburg tonight. A Brownsburg team that can make a serious claim to be the best team in the state....and fairly well whipped up on Cathedral last week. With that, I'm thinking everyone in 4A is likely going to be looking at the rear bumper of East Central this year (who, last I saw tonight, was having its way with Cincy Moeller). Still, this 'weak and wounded" Roncalli team might well actually be the second best team in 4A.

Congrats to HH! EC is a BEAST this year. Look out 4A!

Arguably, Roncalli has fielded a MAC size team the last 3 or so years with a line that most likely was the biggest in the state - all classes. A simple return to normalcy would make the current group small comparatively. I do understand that they are a little dinged up currently but anyone overlooking Roncalli either now or around playoff team is likely to be in for a rude awakening.

I can - 2019. Chatard won 53-7. I expect a close game. This Chatard team looks more like a classic Lorenzano team than any since his retirement….probably not quite as big as some of his lines, though. Not as much passing, yet, as a typical Doyle team but a shifty, scrambling first year starter QB. I anticipate they’ll pass more as the season goes on. Should be an enjoyable game.

IO, I haven’t even chewed tobacco or smoked a cigar in almost 10 years. If I finally tried that hippy stuff this late in life I’d likely be living in a tent in San Fran the next week…..admittedly, some days that seems appealing.

….and this the reason I still hang out here…..classic stuff.

I can relate. We weren’t farmers (everyone else I grew up with was, though) but we were “truckers”. I spent my Saturdays and Sundays working off my debts on top of or underneath of 18 wheelers every weekend. Unlike most kids I dreaded weekends post Friday football and couldn't wait for Mondays. The day I left home for College was the last day I ever stuck my head under a car/truck hood, changed a tire or washed a car. I’ve gladly payed someone else to do it since that day.

….and a smoker.

I just love the sound of “Shipshewana”, though. With that, as much as I want to see the Steve Miller band at Shipshewana in a few months with my white painter paints and “Book of Dreams” belt buckle circa 1977, I’m struggling to pay over $200 to do do.

I was out of town in Lancaster, PA when I heard the sad news. Just hoping Donnie Baker continues his GID legacy..."swear to God"

"Res ipsa loquitur" (from my waaaay old law school days)....in the case I pointed out, they (St. Mathews Jr. High), quite literally, had world class NFL talent- yet never won city during that time. Its perhaps the greatest example I've seen personally as to the significance of the TEAM vs. individual talent. Kids can be bigger, stronger and faster whether from Indy, Ft. Wayne or Shipshewana and get their @ss kicked by East Central whose school is essentially a RURAL PO Box just off I-74....yet plays as a team and beats Cincy Moeller and also beats a Roncalli team with arguably the biggest O-line and top running back in the state.

St. Matthew’s Elementary and Jr. High School 2005-2007 NFL players Zack Martin (likely Hall of Fame), Nick Martin and Ted Karras….and some number of All-State, All-American and college players at all levels (not all in football) from a school with roughly 20 males per class. Yet somehow unable to win a CYO city championship in Indianapolis ….and people wonder why Central Indiana dominates. Okay…breaking the rules…not that I’ve seen them.