CaptainHook

While NP is growing, enrollment just topped 1200 this year. They aren't ready for the MIC yet! Although the MIC isn't what is used to be. He is playing well. I thought he held his own at Ohio State. MAC play starts this weekend. Definitely enjoying it. Played at Notre Dame, at Ohio State, at San Diego State last weekend...fun times and good memories. I love to poke the Cathedral bear in here. All in good fun.

got one 🐟

NP can only do so much. For years, everyone complained about the Dragons conference. Then MV won 4A in 2021, and GF is ranked in 2022. The Dragons schedule outside their weight class, and defeat 6A Westfield and 5A Decatur Central. We can't all schedule a bye and Hammond Morton. It is what it is. They won't be tested the rest of the regular season.

that's three minutes of my life I'll never get back

🐉😎

very interested to see how that Greenfield Central vs MV game turns out

yes, that was how they beat Center Grove and competed in 5A the last several years, this year's team is a bit deeper, and less guys have to go two ways full time..

LT is committed to Louisville. RT (and only junior) is the #1 prospect in the state and gonna be able to pick where he wants to play, as he holds several offers (including Ohio State). RG also has offer from Illinois State. The 6th OL is a freshman that I predict will someday play in college as well.

This years Dragons have more depth on the offensive/defensive lines than any prior team. The OL guys don't have to go both ways, but several do rotate in defensively. Honestly, there are only two guys that are probably full time two way players. I didn't realize that until you asked. Several players go both ways in the two deep.

I for one am not ready to call 4A a wrap. And this team has a long way to go to be mentioned in the same breath as 18 and 19. But it has been two impressive wins to open the season. This team has a lot of seniors that have learned how much work it takes to compete at this level, and some stud juniors. Should be a fun year.

and Cathedral would play in 4A if the IHSAA would let them 🤣

The transfers in moved in, as far as I know. The transfers out, did not (but were not blocked).

I know schools that never block anyone. I know schools that block occasionally. But I also know of schools that drag out the process and block as late as possible vindictively.

I believe NP had two transfers out. A LB that probably would have seen the field this year, and a backup OL. Had a DL and QB transfer in.

How long until the IHSAA goes to the NCAA model allowing one transfer for any reason (without a move)? All I can say is the current model the IHSAA uses is very broken.

This is very accurate. Gotta be proactive in getting noticed. Get to a camp or two that record height, weight, and speed. Or run track. Send your film to the coaches of schools that interest you, but you gotta be realistic about finding your level. Twitter is a fantastic recruiting tool. Go to individual school camps if they show interest. The biggest thing is having coaches come through your high school door and your head coach putting film in front of them. I do not think my son would be where he is if a lot of coaches hadn't stopped in to see the kid that scored 70 touchdowns in a season.

Freshman class is the smallest football class in years (less than 20), and only a couple of them dressed. Ralph's conditioning program drives away a lot of the fringe players. 7th and 8th grade classes are larger and both had great years.

Maxen is having fun, but definitely needs a haircut. We are having a blast watching him. This thread has definitely taken a turn for the worse. Game tonight went about like I expected. Dragons went 5 wide. Had some open guys and made a few plays. Defense held their own, but wore down. Had a few injuries tonight, including QB knocked out for almost the entire second quarter. Hurry up offense for Cathedral was a nice wrinkle. Very young Dragons team that needs to get a little tougher and a lot more focused in the future. It’s back to 4A for NP.

FWIW, I have heard much respect for the Irish defense and the defensive line in particular.

For the most part, the Tournament Success Factor has done what it intended, bumping parochial schools up. New Palestine and Columbus East have been the public schools most effected, but both have done well enough to not complain too much (East may have a legit complaint). In my opinion, Cathedral plays a 6A schedule, and should request to play in 6A playoffs in Indiana. They don't. That's fine. I would like to see a rule where a parochial starts one class above its enrollment, and a public cannot be bumped more than one class over its enrollment. Neither New Palestine or Columbus East have any business playing in 6A. East was unlucky enough that their run of success came in the same two year cycle, while NP's was split over two cycles, which is silly. Cathedral should be in 5A or 6A at a minimum, which the Tournament Success Factor has done. They should never slum it in 4A again.

Only if New Pal pulls the upset. If Cathedral wins, they are off to 6A for two years, and New Pal will return to 4A.

Only have 4 seniors starting. Quarterback, guard, linebacker, and safety. Several seniors in the defensive line rotation, though. At 1-3, this group had a lot to learn about playing hard and needed to improve their mental toughness. They've grown up a lot the last few weeks. I doubt it's enough to legitimately compete with the Irish on Friday, but 8 weeks ago, I didn't think they'd win the sectional either. FWIW, two junior OL and one sophomore OL are getting legit FBS looks.

They did. Football game was at noon. They encouraged everyone to stay for the girls game afterwards. If I remember right, it was two very high ranked girls teams.

The Cathedral TE also played as a freshman in 2019. Made a couple big catches too.

Correct. I was talking about New Palestine.