DACNUT

Well we in the Region have been looking forward to this day since Merrillville and Valpo were sent packing last year. In this years version, both Merrillville and Michigan City are on fire. Both teams have speed, athletes at the right position, and the ability to beat you on offense in the air or on the ground. Same goes for defense, speed and athletes everywhere, except Merrillville is more multiple on defense with their four man front while Michigan City does not hide that they will dare a team to throw on them playing 9 players in the box and man to man all over the field. Merrillville has the best interior lineman by far in the region, Kenneth Grant a one man wrecking crew. I have no doubt that both teams are ready to battle. Weakness for both teams, but more so for Michigan City is that they have been able to win while committing many turnovers and penalties. Looking forward to the DAC representing in possibly two classes.

Merrillville is getting ready for round 2, HCC vs DAC, running clock will be in place for this one. 44-7.

I am excited to see this game as well. Outside of Justin Marshall from Merrillville, I don't think there is a more dynamic or explosive player with the ball than Hatch. Simmons is just as fast and dangerous on the outside. I imagine Valpo will try to do the same thing they did in the last game, and that is exploit the Wolves man to man defense all over the field. Valpo also wore down the Wolves rush defense in the last quarter. Mason has beat ever team in the conference multiple times, has a winning record against every team, but Valpo has had the Wolves number, turning them back at every turn. With Hatch in the lineup, the Wolves have four of the best athletes in the conference that on any play can take it to the house. Eliminate the penalties and turnovers and the score should be easily reversed from September.

With NIL available, why would him or any other top flight recruit stick around their entire senior year. Maybe he will because Andrean can win during his senior year in baseball, but he his family clearly are focused on him being a professional athlete, I see him being able to recoup some of the dollars spent traveling the country to get into a position to have a national TV special sooner rather than later.

Will be interesting to see what happens with Hanover Central as more people continue to move in from Illinois side. Lake Central students have been going to Andrean for years, don't see that changing, but I can envision more going to Hanover. How about those folks also considering Buzea as well. Shame the largest school in the region is so bad in football and kids who could go to Lake Central to make it a better football school don't.

Bollerup I agree with you, he is Merrillville's homerun hitter. He is not a WR, he is dangerous in the slot where no HS really has an athlete or scheme to account for how someone as fast as him can stress the middle of the field. I would take make chances double teaming him every play and single up on the outside. Angel Nelson does not hold the ball very long, they have a very quick passing game that relies on RAC and so far this year no one has stopped it. Last year they relied a lot on the homerun with Hardy and JoJo, they are more high percentage the year, passing to the back as well.

Marshall is probably the fastest ball carrier in the Region with the ball in his hand, another great pickup for the Pirates. As I mentioned before, I will be interested to see how he is used against Westfield if they play. If he stayed at Calumet, they would have easily won the sectional again.

The toughest game Merrillville will play may be tomorrow night. Crown Point is trending in the right direction, even though they lost last week. I would guess that with the second time, Crown Point will play different than what they did when Merrillville ran them off the field. So instead of a running clock in the 2nd qtr, it may be towards the end of the 3rd qtr. Other than this first game, the Region's best hope will continue to win by 30-40 points until semi-state.

I will be shocked if Merrillville is not playing deep into the second half with Westfield vs the game last year were they were happy to be there and fell apart after they were robbed of a go ahead touchdown. Hardy clearly in bounds on that play. It was clear last year and there is no doubt this year who the more athletic team is, the question for Merrillville last year which they have shown more of this year is their physicality. To beat down Valpo, Chesterton, Crown Point, MC, Andrean, and Hobart they way they did was not due to their athleticism, which is superior to the teams listed other than MC, they physically beat these teams. If they just cut in half the turnovers and penalties from last years game, they will win.

After seeing what Merrillville has done the past few weeks, against Valpo last night with strong program and coaching and Michigan City who has comparable if not better athletes, Merrilliville is big and strong enough, athletic enough, and now well coached to play with anyone. I cannot wait to see them finally smash through the semi-state wall. To have a running clock against Valpo on Valpos home field, WOW!!

This Valpo team does not have any D1 talent like that 2001 team did, heck even last years team had more individual talent. This group is solid and their program is to a point where they just reload now.

Typing too fast, not Center Grove but New Pal.

I don’t believe I have seen any Region or DAC person say anything about beating CG or Cathedral? They will compete, especially at the 5A level. Valpo gave Center Grove the best game it faced all season during the 19 season and have become an annual contender in the north. I have a difficult time thinking they would be rolled over.

I will also add, that DAC/Region fans are feeling very optimistic that this is our year to get past the HCC or the Ft.Wayne rep. As we get deeper into the playoffs, maybe our chest will get more puffy up here and not be so scared of playing the already crowned state champs.

I would based on their level of competition in the DAC, not trying to knock your Tigers, but the style of offense Mishawaka plays stands no chance against Michigan City, (their offense is Bart Ball?). Not saying it won't be difficult, but if it's between Concord, Michigan City, and Mishawaka, I will take Michigan City. I know that all three have played during the summer the last couple of summers even if they haven't played during the season in a few years.

I had 41 points, mistake, meant 31 for Merrillville😶

This should be a very close games when looking at comparable games played, mainly Michigan City. Both teams beat Michigan City, with Merrillville pulling away in the third quarter and Valpo in the fourth. I'm going to go with Merrillville, 41-21, they are so efficient this year on offense, have done a good job of limiting mistakes, and demonstrated against Michigan City and Andrean that they can drive or quick strike. Valpo, although they can pass are more dependent on the run which I don't see them being able to do agains the Merrillville front. Turning out to be a great year for the top of the conference, Merrillville, Valpo, Chesterton and Michigan City are all favorites to win their sectional, especially Valpo and Merrillville.

Three team race for DAC, but the whipping of Crown Point last night sent shockwaves around the Region. Chesterton had an impressive last minute win last night over Michigan City, and Valpo is in great form offensively.

Got it, so those Townships are still considered part of the city of Indianapolis for the census.

No doubt the Donut districts have exploded in population over the last 30 years, but you need to note that the population of Indianapolis as a city has increased during that time as well. Just the entire Indianapolis area has increased during the last 30 years. I think we look at the downfall of IPS and assume it reflects a decline of people living within the city, but the numbers show an increase of people living in Indianapolis. Clearly parents are sending their kids to charters, P/Ps, and suburban schools. Are all the kids playing on the P/P teams from outside Indianapolis.

Maybe Penn should go ahead and accept that standing invitation to join the DAC? While they would be near the top in most female sports, and many of the mens sports, they would probably be in 6th or 7th place this year in football. Once feared in the region, taking beatings by Valpo, and losing the to LaPorte and Chesterton in the past year has taken that fear away.

I am just saying, if you are giving Penn what appears to be the benefit of the doubt, at least go on the past 4-5 years. No way do they deserve to be ahead of the top 3 in the DAC, Elkhart, maybe, but definitely not Penn.

Considering you have Penn and Elkhart on the list, I would put Valparaiso, Merrillville, and Michigan City ahead of both of them.

Elkhart did it last year and I believe they are Michiana's top dog.

Being on the lower end of 6A, enrollment wise, isn't Warsaw sort of in purgatory. Do they have the size, strength and athleticism coming up that can get them past the DAC, NIC, or SAC?