MDAlum82

Honestly, for MD to come out on top, they will have to find a way to "contain" Bowen and outscore Andrean in a 42-35 type game.   Not sure MD can put that many points on board against a strong Andrean D.  Perhaps the best way for that to occur is for Bowen to miss the bus...   🤪   

MD's offense has really been clicking the last 2-3 weeks and the defense has really stepped up.  They seem to be playing their best football at the right time.  That will need to continue next week.  Wunderlich threw some absolute dimes last night - the pass down the sideline to Stoltz, the slant to Turner across the middle - perfect touch, perfect timing... Pierre had well over a 100 yds and was able to sneak through the line and get into the secondary often.

Last year Andrean shut down MD's passing game with pressure on Wunderlich - often Bowen on a blitz.  When Wunderlich gets uncomfortable in the pocket, he tends to force some ill-advised throws, i.e. the INT near goal line last night.  If he can remain calm and make some good passes, MD has a chance. 

10 hours ago, tango said:

That is a BIG if...

y'uge...IF

I read that Bowen hung 200 yds ad 3 TDs on Luers...in the first half.  That young man is a FOOTBALL player.  Did I hear he has an offer from Notre Dame? Reminds me of the Combs kid from Evv Memorial a few years back. 

MD will have to find a way to slow him down and put some pts on the board too.  Last year's game was dominated by the defense until mid-way through the 3rd qtr.  Once the dam broke, Andrea pulled away for the win.  Mater Dei has their hands full...

MD drives for a late FG to close half leading 34 - 16

Linton making a move

MD  31 to 16

1 hour ago, jets said:

Stated it earlier in this thread - but eventually the Miners will have to figure out the "MD Curse/Spell" or whatever it is you want to call it that they've had over them since our Sectional 40 days. 

Totally a shot out of left field as I haven't seen much of these 2 teams , but law of averages says Linton should eventually when one of these. Plus I don't think MD is what they were last year. Give me Linton by 2 scores. 

I could easily see Linton taking this one...but not by 14 pts.  Now, if MD gets an injury to Pierre, McDurmon, Stoltz or worse...Wunderlich, that changes the calculus.

Interesting comments from several LS fans about a tendency to give up TOs by the Miners...if that continues tonight, that could be a YUGE! advantage to MD.  TOs at this time of the year can end a season real quick...cold fingers slip off the ball, both when running with it and trying to catching it...who adapts and who gives in? 

Should be a great game.  Best of luck to both teams for a well-played and injury free game.  Everyone travel safely there and back...

49 minutes ago, BendNotBreak said:

If I recall... a decision on.. going for it... on 4th down at around midfield was factor in a Linton loss to MD... giving MD a short field which they took advantage of and scored.  Will the Miners be mindful of field position this time around??

Correct.  LS went for it on a 4th & 2 right at midfield and came up short.  MD took the short field and put its final pts on the board with just 10 seconds left to go up 28 - 19.  Interestingly enough, the LS announcers were questioning the call, as there was so little time left in the half...they advocated for LS to punt MD deep, play D,  and run clock out to neuter MD's passing game which had been working well to that point.  Turned out to be prescient.  Wunderlich hit Luke McDurmon with a perfect strike on a wheel route down the left side of the field.  

Temps are expected to be in low 30's/upper 20's by kick-off but wind is expected to be minimal < 5 mph, per Channel 14.  Cold will likely have more of an effect on passing game than running game but use of gloves by WR's can often mitigate this, as long as wind is minimal.  I watched some of LS's last 2 games and their only weakness on D is the passing game as they have trouble defending receivers in space.  Not a dig at LS as most high school teams, esp in the smaller classes like 2A, rarely have the athletes needed at DB, SS positions to be really effective at stopping the pass - including MD. 

For MD to win, they will need to use the passing game effectively enough to open up some lanes to run ball as well.  Like LS, if MD can run ball and eat up the clock while putting pts on board, those factors will go a long way to securing a W tonight.  Ever the unabashed "MD homer" I am picking the Wildcats; 31 - 21.  Though I will not be surprised in the least however if LS breaks the spell MD has had on them the last few years.

As always, looking for a well-played and injury free game for both teams & their fans.  Hope all LS fans travel safely to & from the Bowl tonight.  Peace.

Whiteland

Mater Dei

1 hour ago, kingtut said:

I'm still alive and well and mostly lurking these days on the GID.  I'll be 91 next month.  True, I don't post as much as I used to.  In fact, I wonder about all the other Miner GIDers that used to post regularly but have seemingly disappeared.  I'm still just as passionate about all the Miner sports teams that are doing very well.  I think there is a Proverb that says something to the effect that with old age comes wisdom.  Maybe that's why anyone else's opinion about my team, good or bad, rarely incites me to respond. But I certainly enjoy reading all your posts.  When I feel like I have something meaningful to contribute, I'll jump in.  As far as the MD game is concerned,  I hope the team is more confident than I am, and I'm pretty sure they are and I know they are looking forward to getting another shot at their nemesis.  Linton is very good offensively, led by the running of senior QB Gennicks.  I don't know what his total yardage is but it's impressive.  But the Miners spread the carries around and three other backs have good totals as well.  Less effective is the passing game but it is still a big part of the offense.  Run defense is very good but pass defense is suspect, however it has been better through the playoffs even though they have been burned by long passes a few times.  It's going to be bitter cold. I don't know how that might impact the play or which team it might favor.  My guess it will hurt the passing game more than the run.  I won't be there.  Too cold for me but I'll be watching on my big TV.    

Always good to read your posts and know you are doing well.  Happy 91st, even if a bit early.  May we all be so lucky to live long enough to gain wisdom.  

1 hour ago, Donnie Baker said:

Where’s King Tuts? It’s not a Liptons thread without him. 

He usually waits until later in the week to post, or so it seems.  Far more than the avg GID poster, he tends to think over what he says and how he says it - lest he offend someone and create some bulletin board material for LS opponents.  Always enjoy reading his posts and summaries of the Miners.

45 minutes ago, Wildcat1992 said:

They didn't get it right.  MD had to drive to Triton Central and Linton played Lapel in the regional.  MD/Linton and TC/Lapel should have been the regional games.

Regardless, the game this Friday should be a good one.

Is the game info provided on the IHSAA site correct?  Game time is 6:30pm on Friday at the Bowl?  Going to be a cold one🥶..

Also, just curious here and not trying to stir the pot in any way but how did Linton move from Sectional 40 to Sectional 37 this year?  Was putting them in Sectional 40 somehow incorrect and Sectional 37 is better fit as their true home sectional?  Seems like a big move.

21 minutes ago, gonzoron said:

Memorial lost.

There seem to be a few posters on the GID today that may have over-indulged themselves last night or, through no fault of their own😏, were over-served...

Congrats to the Tigers for a really good season.  It is a testament to how high the bar has been set by recent teams when a Regional appearance seems to be a bit of a let down for some.  Considering how the season began, IMO the Tigers did themselves proud getting to the Regional.  They just ran into a better team last night.  

7 hours ago, BTF said:

Thought this was worth sharing. Ukrainian refugee is a huge asset on the Bluffton football team. 

https://www.wane.com/sports/local-sports/ukrainian-refugee-giving-bluffton-football-a-boost/

It is nice to learn that for this young man something positive came out of the tragedy of being forced to leave his home country & his father in Ukraine.  Hope he and his family continue to adapt and find happiness here in America.  After all, many of us are just a generation or two removed from being in the same type of scenario.  Best of luck.

2 hours ago, Bobref said:

No disrespect to this gentleman, or to chain crew members everywhere. But when I was working, when we met with the chain crew pregame and heard, “yeah, we’ve been doing this a long time,” I cringed. Often, those guys were the hardest to work with, since they had their own way of doing things.

No disrespect to you, Bobref, or to referees everywhere, but don't you think the same can likely be said about many/most of the older officials?  😅🤣😂

I am certain every school & team has a story like this but it is still good to read about this kind of dedication from fans & alumni. 

Apologies if posting this story from a local station violates some GID policy, as that is certainly not my intent.

https://www.14news.com/2022/11/11/mater-dei-graduate-celebrates-44-seasons-wildcats-chain-crew/

9 minutes ago, TigerFan20 said:

It doesn’t look like they use radio at all (haven’t found anything), they stream all their games on the TC Network

Thanks, appreciate the effort!  I checked their site and they note that game will not be covered on their TC Network due to "IHSAA ownership" of the feed so maybe there is an IHSAA affiliate who will pick this up?  I checked the Champions Network site and many Regional games are being carried but not this one...yet.  

Well, seems I am S.O. L . for radio as well...  

Does Triton Central AT LEAST have a radio station that covers their games?  Listening to the home announcers is still better than none at all...

6 minutes ago, TigerFan20 said:

 It will NOT be live streamed per Triton Central AD 

Not what I wanted to hear but not at all surprised...  Hopefully one of the local stations will at least cover it on radio. 

Again, if anyone hears of this game being streamed online or available via some other media, pls post. Thanks in advance.  

13 hours ago, TigerFan20 said:

TC opens up as a slight 1 point favorite on Harrell’s site

CalPreps' hypothetical, Project A Matchup" tool has TC as a slight, 3 pt favorite as well.

IF the referees that will call the games are familiar enough with the system and how to properly use it, I am all for it.  Otherwise it is liable to create more issues than resolve.  Bottom line:  get the call correct.

12 hours ago, Spitting Llamas said:

The game last year was on a Friday and the 6:30 start time this Friday is accurate. I can’t imagine MD ever picking a Saturday at Triton again after the 2019 game 

I remembered it being in the evening but honestly thought it was on Saturday.  Thanks for the clarification. Interesting that the last 3 games btwn these teams have been @ TC - yes/no?.  We used to have the same situation vs Heritage Hills when it seemed we were always playing at their field. 

The 3+ hour bus ride makes this a long trip regardless of when they play.  Imagine they leave around lunch time on Friday and have a similar routine as they have done for State in the past.  Hopefully the game will be streamed as no way many MD fans can make the 3 hour drive on a Friday night.  Best of luck to the 'Cats