Boilernation

Looks like Valpo had 2 chartered buses, 2 normal buses, and a short bus take off around 3 PM CT. I'm guessing the guys getting PT are perfectly comfortable on those chartered buses.

It's going to be brutal if it's a north wind blowing off the lake at 20 mph. No thanks.

Got ya...thanks! How is Father Eckert Field holding up?

I think one of those DB's is Patrick Clacks though. Is that correct @scarab527? If Maxpreps is correct, he has 70 receptions for over 1,000 yards and 13 TD's. The Junior also has an assortment of D1 scholarship offers. What he makes up for in height vs. the Luers WR's is likely made up for in talent. Nonetheless, it won't be an easy night to throw the ball based on weather conditions.

Yeah. Merrillville and Chicago south suburban Crete-Monee bring a plethora of athletes and speed to the field. I just find it interesting when subjective comments are passed off as facts. But, none of that really matters. Game time temps will have real feels in the single digits with 20+ mph wind gusts. I think this one will be won in the trenches. I would personally take Andrean in this scenario since they have the ultimate workhorse at RB.

My point was that Andrean isn't a bunch of farm boys. I'm curious to know how it was determined Luers has played much more atlhetes and speed.

I was referring to “more athletes and speed.” How was that determined?

That's an interesting comment. How did you come to that conclusion? Luers isn't playing a rural 2A school in Farmsville. They're playing a school that sits on the Merrillville/Gary border.

Valpo doesn't have Charles Salary (great RB at LaPorte and Marian U) or a long time HC eyeing his final shot at a State Final's appearance. The stars aligned for the Slicers in 2014. Snider is fine this year if they just show up and play their game. Valpo doesn't have enough offensive talent to win a shootout. The fact Valpo is still alive is a testament to how well Marshall is coaching them and they were fortunate enough to only have Duneland opponens on their playoff schedule up to this point. I think the run ends Friday night at Northrop.

I've seen enough of Valpo this year to say they have no offense against anyone with a decent defense. Their only shot against Snider is to hold the Panthers to 14 or less. My assumption is Snider beats Valpo by about 17-7. As you said, the Pirates have 2 D1 bound speedsters in Roche (Missouri) and Marshall (Colorado State) and they barely get the ball in the 2nd half. That's just bad coaching.

The reasons for the Crown Point and Chesterton losses were a stretch to say the least. What's the reason for this loss, Cody?

I've viewed The Region and NWI as 2 different areas. The Region is likely just a shortened term for the Calumet River Region, which is what a specific area is commonly referred to. Towns outside of The Region, Michigan City, LaPorte, Lowell, etc. I've just considered as part of NWI.

Lapel has been a work in progress all year because of injuries, youth, and roster shakeups. For instance, the Freshman QB didn't play against Hamilton Heights. They started a Junior for the opener and he has since been playing strictly defense (IIRC). And Dollar was hurt in the 1st Eastern Hancock game. I think it's fair to say Lapel is better than theyir record would indicate. I know the coaches really like the way the kids are playing right now. Their kids are tough and play very physical. They will try to run the ball down Linton's throats with Dollar and then mix in a little bit of the passing game.

I have a feeling the much anticipated Merrillville/Snider game will turn into a bust. Maybe we're foolishly putting too much stock into Cody's ramblings, but something seems off in Pirate land. We've seen Snider punched in the face multiple times this year and responded with a W. Most recently last week when a very talented North team had them on the ropes in the 2nd half. Snider responded by taking that game over in crunchtime. Merrillville has received 2 solid punches and both times they fell apart like a wet paper bag. This kind of reminds me of East Central vs. Evansville Central in 2017. SIAC fans thought Central was too cocky, mentally weak, and would fall apart when East Central hit them in the mouth, which did happen. I'm starting to get the feeling that Snider will curb stomp Merrillville because the Pirates fall apart mentally once Snider hits them in the mouth. Or, Cody could be completelly uninformed and the Pirates roll to a 5A Title win 🤷‍♂️

Wow. I like the way he he ripped apart each one of the chain markers. That was efficient. I'm assuming that was an Ohio State play by play announcer considering he the way he justifies Woody's behavior.

Thanks! Sounds like he's really taking advantage of the limiited opportunity he's receiving this year.

Where did he transfer from?

I really hate this scenario; however, IMO, you have to put LSU in if they win the SEC. I have a feeling scenarios like the above are going to be extremely frequent when the field expands. We could end up often seeing a National Chamption with at least 1 suspect loss.

As much as we can theorize that the Committe will try to put 2 SEC teams in, I have a feeling they'll try avoiding 2 Big Ten teams. Oregon has to have zero chance due to the Georgia loss. I can easily see USC having a chance if they can just find a way to beat UCLA, ND, and Oregon.

No idea. And honestly, would he still be considered an attractive candidate? All I've ever heard is that his family absolutely loves living in West Lafayette. Maybe this is our reality. Landed a coach this is consistantly in the 5-8 win range.

This is the never ending gut punch of being a Purdue fan. I thought the Wisconsin loss was predictable and expected. Didn't see this one coming. Of course we would be the one time Iowa could move the ball on and dominate. Of course....

Haha. I cringe everytime I see that clip. That was essentially the end of his career, correct? I know nothing about Woody. Did he have a coaching history of mental instability as well?

Ineligible all season until now? Transfer?

I'm not sure USC should be out of the conversation. They still have potential 1 loss oppoenents UCLA and Oregon on the schedule as well as Notre Dame. I could see them gaining favor from the committe if they were to dominately win those games.