from_the_sidelines007

It is truly unfortunate to hear the unnecessary ending to the North-South All-Star Football Classic. For the player, this is a great honor to represent youself, the high school team you played on, your family, and your school. Everyone involved should be held to a higher standard. If you want to play in this event, then you follow the rules, listen to the coaches, play hard and clean, and with great sportsmanship. If you want to display unnecessary roughness, cheap shot and other unsporting behavior, then you just don't play. After this year, the organization leadership should address everyone moving forward about what the expectation will be during the game. I do believe that the Coaches and Game Officials are ultimately in control of the game once it is started. This group along with the event administration make the ultimate decision. I also believe that each coaching staff makes the decision as to who plays and who does not - All-Star game or not. Yes, coaches want players to play. Make a rotation, 1s and 2s, whatever. With that said, the expectataion is made clear. The coaches and officials are the adults here. Someone step up, be a leader and stop the non-sense. Football is football. Physical, hard-hitting, good competition. If a player(s) don't want to act like an athlete, then they get removed. Plain and simple! Everyone knows how the game is meant to be played. I hope this is a lesson that is learned by everyone involved. In all honesty, this should have never happened. Best to everyone! As always, the game is better from_the_sidelines007

And the dominoes keep falling. . . as always, the game is better from_the_sidelines007

Good For TV! So glad they were able to fill that football schedule! Looking forward to seeing the completed schedule for 2023! Nice work Vikings! as always, the game is better from_the_sidelines007

Seems like with some schools not having some sports and some not having a junior varsity team, along with M-Thr travel and late nights could be part of the reason for this switch for the likes of Knox and LaVille. I was a little surprised that Knox decided to leave, but not so much LaVille based on their location and the schools that ended up coming together. I am not surprised that Bremen, Glenn and Jimtown wanted something different. I recall hearing the gound rumble before, but this time there was traction, smoke and fire along the way. Be interesting to see how the new HNAC fares and then what happens with this new conference that looks a lot like the old NSC. Tippecanoe Valley is looking for games, so I hope they can fill in where they need to. Football could be tricky for TVHS. as always, the game is better from_the_sidelines007

In doing some HNAC searching of girls golf, boys soccer, girls soccer, boys tennis, boys golf and girls tennis, I found the following schools to have the respective sports during the 2022-23 school year. GIRLS GOLF Caston, Culver, Knox, LaVille, North Judson, Pioneer and Winamac. Triton did not have girls golf this season. BOYS TENNIS Knox, North Judson, Triton did. BOYS SOCCER Caston, Culver, LaVille and Winamac did. GIRLS SOCCER Culver and LaVille did have a team. GIRLS TENNIS Knox, LaVille, North Judson and Triton did. The rest did not have girls tennis. BOYS GOLF Caston, Culver, Knox, LaVille, North Judson, Pioneer, Triton, Winamac all had golf this season. From what I have observed, there seems to be a lot of movement in several conferences this particular school year for whatever reason. I only hope that every school that would like to be in a conference can find one. Being in a conference can benefit the student-athlete in a variety of ways, from academic compeition to athletic recognition. as always, the game is better from_the_sidelines007

Do we know if the HNAC has further developed interest in finding schools to join when Knox and LaVille leaves? The ground is moving again. as always, the game is better from_the_sidelines007

If Penn and Elkhart do remain in the NIC after Bremen, Glenn and Jimtown moves on and SBCSC does decide to close South Bend Clay, that puts the updated NIC at 8 schools and gives both Penn and Elkhart 2 games to fill with other opponents. Which is what both teams do now anyway. Find 2 schools that you want to play as non-conference games and book them. Using your reference: "Playing Riley and Washington again does nothing for the schedules of either team." If these games do not do mean anything for either schedules, then if you are Penn, start your first unit, play the game, then play the #2s and #3s and #4s to get those units more game time action and build depth. We all know that when you play a sport, injuries can happen. Coach that next kids up to help them be the best they can be. Give those kids that come to practice everyday some memories that they can take with them for the rest of their life. Play the two games - against South Bend Washington and South Bend Riley and make something productive out of each of them. Show some respect to the team you are playing and work on helping both teams better! This isn't really that hard. as always, the game is better from_the_sidelines007

Breaking on WHME Sports. Jimtown, Glenn and Bremen have sent letters to Northern Indiana Conference asking to leave the league by 2024-25. Tippy Valley sent a letter to Three Rivers Conference asking the same. LaVille and Knox have asked to leave the Hoosier North Athletic Conference. Rumor has it Rochester turned down a request to join, and Fairfield is entertaining the offer. as always, the game is better from_the_sidelines007

So has there been an announcement that I missed that has LaVille and Knox leaving the HNAC? I keep hearing all this talk, but not a confirmation that this has happened. In answer to the present question, 'who does the conference go after to replace them'? Both Argos and OD are presently in the Hoosier Plains Conference and I wonder if the fact that neither one has football, along with not having other sports as well could be a hurdle? Not that Argos/OD couldn't change conferences, just don't see it being much more beneficial. This present conference change reminds me of a few years ago when other schools in Indiana opted out of one conference to either join another or create their own - long distance travel or not. With potential movement from one, two, three conferences is going to affect several schools again and affecting a lot of areas - parents, fans and student-athletes just to name a few. My question is, why the move? What are the ultimate benefits? Will the move benefit the student-athletes? Parents/Fans will follow their student-athlete. But is the move going to benefit the student-athlete? Are there other factors involved in this movement? Just some questions that I am curious about. Anyone have input? as always, the game is better from_the_sidelines007

For those that are interested in watching the Andrean at LaVille game, there is only one link that will get the game for you: https://www.ihsaatv.org/?B=446748 All the rest are scams so be careful! as always, the game is better from_the_sidelines007

Who you calling for the upset? Defending 2A Champs over the unbeaten Lakeville hosts? Or LaVille over the 59ers? as always, the game is better from_the_sidelines007

This is why we play the games! This is not the same Andrean team as 2021. And, it is not the same LaVille team as 2021. IMO this game will be followed by a lot of people around the state tonight. as always, the game is better from_the_sidelines007

Here is my two cents . . . West Noble at Knox - Redskins a bit better. Andrean at LaVille - Lancers out to earn respect. South Central (UM) at Culver - Like the Cavs to roll. Triton at North Judson - Jays moving on. Keep the change! as always, the game is better from_the_sidelines007

Always intrigued by your work each week. Well done! Interesting that the forecast has Triton scoring 28 points against NJSP. Not even HNAC champ LaVille scored that many against the Jay's. as always, the game is better from_the_sidelines007

Not trying to be a wise guy here . . . I've wondered: Is Indiana Mr. Football given for a senior season of play or a career award? Or does it depend on the year? Curious . . . Thanks for the feedback, as always, the game is better from_the_sideliines007

I've watched LaVille a fair amount over the last few years . . . I would definitely agree the offensive line is MVP at LaVIlle. They've got some veterans playing that do a great job of playing together and are not afraid to get physical to open those holes for whoever is running. Defense has also been something LaVille is known for and is no different this season. If LaVille can play defense and run long, clocking-eating, point-producing drives that keeps Andrean's offense off the field. Hard to win if you can't score. FinePrint said it best, LaVille will not earn any respect from anyone outside the HNAC unless they actually beat the 59ers. Here's to LaVille Football earning some gosh-darn respect. as always, the game is better from_the_sidelines007

Didn't indicate one was better than the other. I indicated two big differences are the fact that Andrean starter is back and LaVille is without starter. But thanks for the clarification. as always, the game is better from_the_sidelines007

Two big differences in this game . . . Andrean gets QB back in time for LaVille. LaVille goes into battle without starting QB. That changes both Andrean and LaVille. as always, the game is better from_the_sidelines007

It's time for the semifinal round of the IHSAA state football tournament. Defending 2A Champ Andrean at 2A No.2 LaVille is already a conversation piece and will be followed closely on Friday. The projection tool has LaVille favored by 5 points. John Harrell's site has LaVille favored by 10 points. Our games this week involving HNAC teams include: West Noble at Knox Andrean at LaVille South Central (UM) at Culver Triton at North Judson What say you? as always, the game is better from_the_sidelines007

The DeWitt kids is a talented player. IMO he belongs on the First-Team All-State Team. He's got stats, he's on a winning team and he can ball! as always, the game is better from_the_sideline007

To be honest, Andrean is the defending champion. Yeah, yeah that was last year, but the champ is the champ. Got to beat the champ to be the champ. With that said, LaVille's strength of schedule does not have its meat and taters on it like some schools. Andrean plays a beefier schedule, which gives them a few more nods that a team like LaVille, who for the most part plays a small-school schedule. Bremen and Glenn are fine non-conference games. Do they help make you better for a state tournament run? Time will tell. Andrean has Merrillville, Crown Point, and an Illinois schol to go with East Chicago, who I don't know anything about, as non-conference games. That is what's catching the eye of those making predictions. Now, I'm not saying that is right or wrong. Just a notion that when you have a big-time recruit on your team and play with some of the big boys, you probably going to get the benefit of the doubt when in discussion. Bottom line here is: If LaVille wants respect, they have to go out and earn it for the next six weeks. One week at a time, one game at a time. Here's to the Lancers earning some gosh-darn respect! as always, the game is better from_the_sidelines007

Here is my two cents for the IHSAA games involving HNAC teams: Lakeland at Knox - Redskins too much for Lakers Whiting at LaVille - Very likely a running clock in 2H for Lancers. Winamac at Central Catholic - Knights stop Warriors North Newton at Culver - Cavs win big Triton at Pioneer - Trojans eliminate Panthers North Judson at South Newton - Most likely a running clock for Jays in 2H West Central at Caston - Trojans end Comets season HNAC goes 5-3 in week one of IHSAA Tournament. Keep the change . . . as always, the game is better from_the_sidelines007

Wow! You make it sound like Bowen is the next coming of Indiana Player of the Year. I'd venture to say that both Andrean and LaVille would relish the opportunity to play good competition. I, myself, would like to see a rematch of Andrean and LaVille. IMHO I think Andrean and LaVille on the same side of the sectional bracket is a shame. I also know that LaVille believes it has to take care of business against Whiting before they can think about Andrean and this "man playing with boys!" This, sir, is why we play the games. best of luck to everyone in the state tournament, as always, the game is better from_the_sidelines007

Ok, I'll bite. You have Andrean winning Class 2A state. John Harrell's site has LaVille having the best chance to win Class 2A. Curious . . . Do you have LaVille beating Whiting and even getting to the rematch with Andrean? I see that Whiting is 5-4 that includes a forfeit victory. Does Whiting have a defensive scheme that would slow down LaVille? And, do they have an offense that can outscore LaVille? as always, the game is better from_the_sidelines007

Some additional fun as the 2022 IHSAA State Tournament begins. Let's pick a winner each week until the HNAC is eliminated from the state tournament. Friday, October 21 Games Lakeland at Knox Whiting at LaVille Winamac at Central Catholic North Newton at Culver Triton at Pioneer North Judson at South Newton West Central at Caston What say you this week? as always, the game is better from_the_sidelines007