from_the_sidelines007

Lots talking and planning going on now.

And, still a lot of talk and planning still to come.

With the present mask requirement in Indiana, would a delay help the numbers level off?

In your opinion, what are the options for the HS football season?

1 - Cancel the season entirely?

2 - Postpone the season to the spring?

3 - Postpone the season for Weeks 1 - 4 and pick up with week 5 (that would put us at September 18 to start)?

4 - Postpone the season and play the last 4 regular season games (September 25 start with Week 6)?

5 - Other suggestions?

What say you?

as always, the game is better

from_the_sidelines007

On 7/22/2020 at 12:04 PM, cpg1970 said:

LaVille has a lot of 3-4 year players and  experience on this team will benefit them throughout the year.  Should be favorite  in the conference and Andrew Dill should be a breakout player for them.  He should be the featured back and get a huge number of carries.  Czarnecki has really developed into a great safety, plus is a weapon with his leg.   Doyle will be a seasoned QB and OLB and with Bettcher playing a bigger role for them, it should be a big year.

All do respect here cpg1970 . . . Throw the dawg in the yard a bone!

Doyle is one of 2 QBs in the HNAC that threw for over 1,000 yards last season.

Just thought I'd add that to the love that Coach Hostrawser's boys are getting here.

Wow! Don't get me wrong, but that is nice to see.  LaVille FB has improved a bunch over the last few years.  The senior class does have talent and they are a hungry bunch of Lancers!

as always, the game is better

from_the_sidelines007

22 hours ago, Temptation said:

Why should tennis, golf and cross country shut down?  It makes zero sense.

I agree, it makes zero sense to shut tennis, golf, and cross country down. 

I hope that is not what happens.

It just sounds like that is what would happen. If one gets shut down, they all get shut down.

Time will tell what decisions are made.

as always, the game is better

from_the_sidelines007

So at one time, I read a graphic that had our various sports placed in different categories of risk.

The highest risk were sports like football, wrestling, and basketball because of contact.

In the moderate category were sports like soccer and volleyball, once again due to contact.

In the lower risk category were sports like golf, tennis, cross country, once again due to contact.

Obviously I did not name all sports . . .  no offense to the other sports. Please don't take my point wrong.

Would the state tell the student-athletes in the higher risk categories they can't have a season, but tell those student-athletes in the lower risk category they are allowed to have a season?

Not trying to be a smart guy here . . . . just asking.

My thought would be that if the IHSAA shuts down, they shut all fall sports down.

as always, the game is better

from_the_sidelines007

Hey Uncle Paul Condry!

Hope you are doing well . . . Thanks for all the hard work that you and your staff do in putting Indiana Football Digest together.

Any chance IFD could make a deal with a business in northern Indiana to sell THE magazine?

as always, the game is better

from_the_sidelines007

Tell you all a little story . . . a true story.

Family friends live in Indianapolis area.

Members of said family went to get test for COVID.

Filled out the paperwork and handed it in to the folks at the testing site.

After handing in the paperwork, they found out the wait was going to be over two hours.

Not wanting to wait two hours, they left.

A few days later one of the members that filled out the paperwork received a call.

Was told they had COVID.

That family member said, "No, I don't"

The medical person on the other end of the line said, "Yes, you do. We got your results back and you are positive."

That family member said, "I don't have COVID because I was never tested.  We left because the line was too long. You never tested me because we left and never were tested."

How do things like this happen?

And if this is just one case of false reporting of a so-called positive test, how many others are out there that are being falsely reported?

As always, the game is better

from_the_sidelines007

On 5/9/2020 at 10:30 AM, Coach Nowlin said:

As a reminder, this thread was about a young high school student athlete who chose a school that best fit for him and his future. 

If you all want to go back through history go start your town thread in the NEXT LEVEL and have at it.   

Disappointing this is a reaction of folks on here to rehash their personal opinion in a thread to celebrate a decision of one our young high school players.  

Be better than that 

Amen, brother!

as always, the game is better

from_the_sidelines007

On 5/25/2020 at 11:19 PM, Gipper said:

Triton!!!

Hey Gipper!

So iyo how would you rank the schools listed?

Glenn

LaVille

Mishawaka

New Prairie

Triton

for South Bend families to choose from if they were to go looking?

Do all those schools provide some sort of transportation from the South Bend area back and forth?

I do know that some send buses into another school district to pick kids up to help with transportation.

I did see someone indicate that the bus system could help the South Bend kids to Mishawaka.

as always, the game is better

from_the_sidelines007

All:

Just a heads-up if you want to pre-order 2020 Indiana Football Digest.

The cover charge is $15, add Shipping of $10 . . . takes us to $25.

Good so far.

Then you get ready to check out and an additional shipping charge is added in.

There are two options, the least of which is $8.25.

Plus Uncle Sam's dip in your pocket 

Makes the ultimate hit on your credit card for $35.58.

If you get the rush mail delivery, you could get bit for over $53 smackeroos!

I live in northern Indiana and we don't have a store up here that sells IFD to my knowledge.

So, if you decide to pre-order the Indiana Football Digest and have them mail it, plan for a minumum shipping charge of $18.25 plus tax.

That is unless Uncle Paul Condry can give us a code that will help give us a discount.

Don't mind paying the $10 for shipping, but then get hit with an additional $8.25 takes gas out of the old Vehichle!

as always, the game is better

from_the_sidelines007

Welcome aboard, Coach Porter!

Good luck!

as always, the game is better

from_the_sidelines007

On 4/27/2020 at 2:23 PM, Muda69 said:

And can be taught by activities other than tackle football.

 

Football is not for everyone . . . . if my daughter/son wants to play volleyball, run cross country, play golf play tennis, play soccer, so be it.

Good coaches there, as well, and life skills taught there, too!

Can't please everyone with a positive, basic comment.  That's pretty sad!

As always, the game is better

from_the_sidelines007

On 5/11/2020 at 4:49 PM, Coach Nowlin said:

Practice is great July 1st 

What I would hate to see is all sports all teams do a mad rush and start trying to schedule 7 on 7s, 11 on 11s,  1 day shootouts, insert countless other competition days 

Be happy to work with your kids in house and prepare what you need to do in house during those times.   

For 1 summer, I am sure the schools can get by with elimination of competition days 

Just one guys thoughts

Coach:

I couldn't agree with you more!

For one summer (or for one month), those in fall athletics should have the opportunity to condition and prep for the coming season.

Yes, be happy to work with your kids again . . . . put in that new offense . . .  get to know that new coach . . .  refine your routes . . . passing skills . . . . blocking skills . . .  hit the weight room . . .  get some cardio in . . .  some plyo work in . . . . work on the jump serve . . . work on digging up those attacks at the net, if you are a volleyball player  . . .  you get the idea.

And yes, for one summer, schools can get by without 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 against another school.

If the winter and spring sports ask for kids time, it does expose them to more of an opportunity to be around additional people.  If WE can't control social distancing, we ALL will be back to QUARANTINE again.  Shut down again, stay home again . . .  these are about number facts. More contact, more dying.

As you mentioned, just one guys thought.

as always, the game is bettter

from_the_sidelines007

On 4/30/2020 at 6:47 PM, Coach Nowlin said:

The process is still ongoing, and lots of challenges during these times, I am sure NP is taking their time to get it right.   NP is not a rutterless ship,  Bill Gumm still on board and I am sure keeping things moving for the players.  

Well said, Coach!

These things do take time.  With the present situation they aren't just going to jump unless they know they have the right coach.

yes, we all know there is a sort of time table here, but there is some time to make that right decision.

as always, the game is better

from_the_sidelines007

After some further research . . .  here are a few more positive numbers.

According to Chris Kaufman (IHSAA), participation in Indiana high school football, grades 9-12, increased in 2019:
2018 – 20,217
2019 – 20,823
 

With the improvement in football headgear, pads, better technique teaching from coaches.  Football, well, has never been safer.

Oh, and one more thing, the life skills taught our young men by these great coaches are invaluable!

as always, the game is better

from_the_sidelines007

Watched Ethan Kertai several times in his days playing for LaVille High School.

Some numbers to ponder:

• Rushed 176 times for 1841 yards*
• Averaged 10.42 yards per carry*
• Caught 7 passes for 258 yards
• Averaged 36.86 yards per catch*
• Single Season TDs Scored – 32*
• Single Season Punt Returns for TD – 4*
• Averaged 38.33 yards per punt return**
• Single Season KO Return for TD – 3*
• Averaged 33.79 yards per kick-off return*
• Single Season All-Purpose Yards – 818*
• Career Rushing Yards – 4528 Yards*
• Career Rushing Attempts – 566 Yards*
• Most Single Game Rushing Yards – 310 yards* v. North Miami in Sectional Round #2
• Career Scoring – 408 Points*
• Career TDs – 68*
• Single Game Scoring – 30 Points*

* = School Record

** = School Record and State Leader

as always, the game is better

from_the_sidelines007

On 4/24/2020 at 10:59 AM, DT said:

Despite the exciting new addition of Mishawaka and the growing success of Warsaw, the NLC seems to be in a downward spiral.

Many schools in the conference are experiencing declining participation.  The league has been invisible in the post season for some time now.  

From a talent standpoint, there is very little D1 recruiting activity around the conference.  Talent might be at an all time low.

Is the NLC becoming irrelevent?

If yes, what can the league do to strengthen and reinforce its competitive football profile.  Mishawaka doesn't seem to be enough.

Is New Prairie a potential target?  Culver Military?  SB St Joe?  

 

 

 

So you are saying that bringing in New Prairie, Culver Academy,  and South Bend St Joseph will increase the D1 football talent pool?

Hate to burst your bubble, but, overall a little over 7% of high school athletes (about 1 in 14) went on to play a varsity sport in college and less than 2% of high school athletes (1 in 54) went on to play at NCAA D1 schools.

Being a D1 college athlete is more than just showing up to practice.  There is a lot of commitment to playing a collegiate sport.  Let alone football!

High school football declining is not just occuring in Indiana.  Yeah, high school football participation dipped in Indiana.

Fewer and fewer high school athletes are playing football across the country each year and, after initially bucking the trend, Indiana is no exception.

Football participation was down 3.4 percent in Indiana for the 2017 season, from 21,589 players in 2016 to 20,849, according to the 2017-2018 High School Athletics Participation Survey conducted by the National Federation of of State High School Associations.

It's not just in football, its essentionallt all over the place.  There are only so many kids and the opportuniities for kids to play sports keep expanding.

There are also fewer kids playing multiple sports.  Kids have started to specialize now more than ever . . . . if you could the average Indiana high school has probably somewhere between 18-20 sports.  Kids are specializing in volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, etc. And, yeah, it happens at big schools.

Football has, indeed, suffered a decline in Indiana, however, due to some recent studies, there has been increase in the number of high school athletes. From 2016-17 to 2017-18, there was an increase of just over 1,000 participants.

In line with Ultimate Warrior, you need more than just a few lines of looking at rosters and state tournament success.

Might I suggest DT that you do some homework and report back when you have something solid to report.

As always, the game is better

from_the_sidelines007

Plesse remember he started this threat with the disclaimer.... 

IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER. 

yet he's being picked about too high or two low. 

as always,  the game is better 

from_the_sidelines007 

RIP COACH SHRIVER!

Your time here was served and God needed another coach to help lead the team 

as always,  the game is better 

from_the_sidelines007 

Thanks for all your hard work on this subject of turf. 

I am curious, has anyone ever compared the cost per year of grass upkeep - mowing, irrigation,  painting, rolling, seed/fertilization, arriate - vs. Turf.

And, the lack of the grass-care each week for an entire year.  Still have to do these things when the time is appropriate football season or not.

Is the price of caring for real grass worth the turf exchange?

I know a local school that just went through track renovation,  recrown the field, with new grass, drainage, etc. The sidelines are still not right, standing water after it rains.  The track itself is beautiful and long overdue.   The rest, well, IMO, you get what you pay for.  The school corporation was overcharged when you consider quality of work for the bid charged.

Once again, just curious!

As always, the game is better 

from_the_sidelines007 

11 hours ago, Miner_Pride said:

Very classy.. and very special.

Absolutely Fantastic idea.  Definitely classy and special!

Friday night lights will not be the same in the WW Community.

And what a great way to show support and pay tribute to Coach Bowsman by lighting fields Friday and Saturday.

RIP, Coach!

as always, the game is better

from_the_sidelines007

Good Luck To Whoever Takes Over The Elkhart High School Football Program!
 

as always, the game is better

from_the_sidelines007

4 hours ago, SteelCurtain88 said:

To me it was to many mistakes by Laville that lead to Lewis Cass big plays.  Started with the pick 6.  You have the lead 7-0, your defense stopped Lewis Cass twice and forced punts and your pinned down at the 4 yard line.  I don’t think you throw there!  Run it, try to get out from your own own goaline and either punt or if you get a first down, then try some type of pa pass.   But to throw there from the four leading, bad decision.  So Lewis Cass scores goes up 8-7. Next offense series, Laville is faced with a 4th and 7 at Lewis Cass 43 and they go for it and don’t make it.  5 plays later Cass up 16-7.  Then comes a blocked punt on next offense series and Cass scores.  Then a decision to kick a field goal from 47 yards out and it gets blocked and returned for a touchdown.  I guess before the blocked field goal, Laville did add a score but allowed the ensuing kickoff to be returned for a touchdown.  So it was just to many opportunities given to Cass by Laville that buried them by halftime. I’m not taking anything away from Lewis Cass but Laville didn’t do anything to help themselves out with turnovers and allowing quick scores.  

I will open this by saying that my BOTTOM LINE on this or another thread about the LaVille and Lewis Cass game was EXECUTION, EXECUTION, EXECUTION!

Re: your comment about throwing from the four ....  Seems like LaVille had a lot of trouble running the ball up the middle when they tried. 

A pitch play or option with the QB could have set them up for big trouble.  They did succeed in running that same pass play on their first drive, so I'm thinking (Just know that I'm not a coach here), they thought that pass play might be there again.  I give the Lewis Cass kids a lot of credit for reading that pass play.  IMO that play turned what momentum LaVille had around.

Agree with your assessment of going for it on 4th and 7 near midfield.  IMO, in the playoffs I feel like you make an offense earn a score. Punt the ball.

Blocked punt and blocked FG are great special teams plays by the defense. Lack of execution by the offense, but Cass applied pressure and succeeded.

In this game, on this night, Lewis Cass was most certainly the better team and they EXECUTED much better.

Give LaVille credit, they could have given up and did not.

I did think it was interesting on the opening LaVille drive they were not running its traditional offense.  It's almost like they felt they needed to call plays outside the box to throw Lewis Cass off.  I heard someone say it looked like LaVille was desperate and the game just started in the first quarter.

I like to think of it as creative thinking .... nothing wrong with a different wrinkle that the opponent had not seen yet.

Seems like the first play LaVille ran was the first play that Lewis Cass ran against Pioneer in the first playoff game that went for six.

as always, the game is better

from_the_sidelines007

7 hours ago, Ultimate Warrior said:

With that Boot Czarnecki has? That's an automatic 1 or closest thing to it. 

Czarnecki is a solid high school kicker.

He has improved in a lot of areas and I think he will spend time in the off-season to improve his kicking game even more.

Not just everyone can kick.  It takes a special talent and it takes a work ethic to 'boot'.

Czarnecki is that kind of kid.

Look forward to the progress he makes from this year to next.

as always, the game is better

from_the_sidelines007

4 hours ago, SteelCurtain88 said:

I also would say that watching Laville play Lewis Cass and Pioneer, I think Laville needs to start going for 2 points after a score!  Lewis Cass had 14 points, 2 touchdowns on just conversions last night!  Unbelievable 

So, you were at the game SteelCurtain88?

Can you give a recap?

as always, the game is better

from_the_sidelines007