Boilernation

Brownsburg vs. Franklin Central: Not sure how I feel about the dual QB system at Brownsburg, but they seem to compliment each other well. The Sophomore who resembles Johnny Unitas lit up Cathedral in the passing game. Brownsburg once again wins the August State Title and once again has large lines with speed all over the skill positions. I'll take Brownsburg 41-17 over FC HSE at Avon: The BD win was a possitive step towards returning to relevance, but BD isn't the Ben Davis of last year. I'll take HSE to win comfortably: 31-14 Noblesville @ Fishers: A majority of Mt. Vernon's points were scored in garbage time and Homestead didn't to much either against Noblesville's D. This will be their first true test. I'm confidant the Miller O can move the ball on Fishers. Not so confident the D can contain Hall and Co. I'll flip your score and go with Noblesville 24-21. Zionsville @ Westfield: Zionsville's offense came alive in the 2nd half against Pike and moved the ball with ease against LC. The Eagles have a QB who can throw the ball in the portal transfer from Carmel and Eugene Hilton is the major benefactor of the passing game. He tore apart the LC secondary last week and broke their hearts with the go ahead TD on a 4th down jump ball thrown to the end zone with about 20 seconds remaining. I think the Zionsville passing game can move the ball on the 'Rocks and keep their offense off the field. I think this one will be closer than expected: Westfield 35 Zionsville 26.

I doubt that happens as well. Their defense is shaky and they have no run game. Still wouldn't be surprised if they lost to Nebraska and Colorado State.

I was hoping to see NDSU pull off the road win in Boulder, but at least it's enjoyable to watch Travis Hunter play. Whoever drafts him would be foolish not to play him both ways. He also has a 4.0 GPA. Impressive kid.

Haha. I didn't even though that area code existed until your post.

Speaking of FCS, the pecking order in that division is interesting. Here's their AP Top 5: South Dakota State North Dakota State Montana Montana State South Dakota Chattanooga at 8 and Furman at 9 are the only SEC footprint schools in the Top 10. Maybe that's why North Dakota State doesn't jump up to FBS. Their area of the country runs the FCS.

Agreed regarding early '00's. IIRC, the DAC offered Penn and Mishawaka but they wouldn't go without Elkhart Central, who the DAC wouldn't take. Do Penn fans want to be in the DAC? Or just have a "meh" feeling about it? It seems like we've gotten to the point that Penn is on a majority of schedules in all sports for DAC teams.

Elkhart feels llike a bigger version of Hammond Morton to me: They'll look good physically and roll out a few D1 recruits, but they're not beating anyone of significance. I would swap them with Merrillville. All jokes aside on the Pirates and how they fit into my first sentence, but they've at least proven at both the 5A and 6A level they can win true North Sectionals and Regionals. Yes, ignoring the logistical nightmare, that would be an ideal setup. I have a feeling we'll eventually get close to it when the NIC finally folds and the DAC expands east to take Elkhart and Penn.

Agreed. Which is why I will continue to hold out hope somebody can figure out how to turn Lake Central around. There's zero reason they're not knocking on the 6A non-Indy North door with Crown Point and Carroll. Penn and Snider should be up there as well.

Do you think the 'Dogs are better this year? The secondary was atrocius last year. I would guess the offense will be better this year as Ehrlich is now a Sr with a lot of experience going back to his Hobart days.

I don't think it does either. most of time these kids are now traveling in chartered busses.

Plymouth had 2 wins last year coming off of back to back Zero win seasons. Not sure it's fair to say pasting anyone should be expected for Plymouth.

I haven't seen Heritage Hills or Gibson Southern play. Are they considered to be at Memorials level by those in the SW part of the state? I thought Evansville Memorial's offense looked very good on Friday night.

Are you referring to true Northern or are you lumping the Hamilton County schools in with that distinction? Snider's defense is great. I get that WC's defensive front resembles a college size line; however, Snider's O still didn't look very good on Friday night.

Yeah, as a former Duneland player I'm pullling for Crown Point and The Ville. But, Crown Point at #2 with 6 first place votes and The Ville at #1 with 14 first place votes is eye rolling to me. I think your rankings of Crown Point have been very fair. Merrillville is very likely a top 5 5A team. But, an overwhelming favorite at #1? That hasn't been earned.

Good info. Thanks. A, C and D make sense. B is just the reality of not having your own stadium. The market will dictate the price. Seems like an odd request by Brownsburg. Personally, and this is just my opinion, I would play at Tech whenever the option is available. Large old school stadium in a nice urban setting just outside of downtown. The gentrification of the Cottage Home neighborhood makes parking safe for all.

Were a lot of fans left to be SRO? I woudn't be surprised if some of the teams who travel well will stop agreeing to home and "home" with Cathedral if the Irish can't find stadiums to use with ample visitor side seating.

Not at all and perfectly reasonable. ND State is going to be ready to go Thursday night in Boulder.

Going to be a lot of purple blending in with the Irish fans on the home side.

True. Time to pull my head of out of the sand...

Agreed. And I'm thinking they get off to a 1-2 start IN OOC play with North Dakota State, @ Nebraska and @ Colorado State.

Garrett 20 Adams Central 7: Past 2 games were 98-14 in favor of Adams Central Plymouth 53 Twin Lake 20: Signs of life out of the once respectable Plymouth program

Thanks. I don't blame NC's coaches for keeping the starters in. They can use all of the PT and confidence building they can get. But, it does sound like the running clock would have held had Fishers kept their starters in.

HSE is definately the real deal. That run game is so brutal, especially when the QB is another RB. He's not the greatest thrower, but his arm is capable and he can roll out of the pocket to find a WR with his arm. Of course, HSE has a stable of tall WR's and RB's capable of catching the ball. They have some depth at the skill positions. Agree on Avon. Lafayette Jef is no slouch. It's so hard for anyone to break into the Brownsburg, Westfield, HSE and Fishers stronghold. But, I would probably favor FC over Noblesville. I actually like Noblesville's offense and I like that it's being ran at the youth level. So, we're now seeing kids at the HS level who have been running that offense at the youth level. But, I'll believe they can actually crack the top half of the table when I actually see it happen. I could be wrong, but I think Jayson West has a high celing at FC.

I picked Carroll as well. Thought HSE's offense would take a step back and was betting on the Charger offense. Did Center Grove look like they've taken a step back or did Westfield re-load with talent?

Not in attendance. I watched the entire game on the Charger Sports Network. HSE was that good. Carroll has Jimmy Sullivan and some good offensive talent so they were able to get some points, but HSE jumped out to a 28-7 lead. One of those TD's was in short yardage as Carroll fumbled a kickoff return. HSE is big and they pushed Carroll around on offense. 6'5 LT Cameron Gorin is committed to Purdue and he was clearing out paths of running room for HSE. Per Max Preps, HSE ran the ball 55 times for 285 yards. I'm assuming Cameron's father is Brandon, who played at Muncie Southside, Purdue and won 2 Super Bowls in his 9 year NFL career