Frozen Tundra

Because, from a player's perspective, that's a long time to have to ponder on and wait for a big game like that. Also, and probably most important, it allows for less games to be played the first week of the tournament so that there's no/less threat of a referee shortage.

Real men play football in cold weather. I watched a night game in the snow at hallowed Lambeau Field one time. Nothing overrated about it. However, I underrated how cold it could get up there though. Even with four layers on, I still couldn't feel my fingers or toes until two hours after the game. Luckily, I still have all of them and they all still look and function properly. Can't wait to do it again.

My kind of weather

You're in a small minority of folks that care. If the schools or the coaches thought it was an issue then something would be done about it.

1. Why do small schools care that 6A gets a bye and they don't? They're not playing the bigger schools so it's not like they're playing teams with an advantage. They're playing the teams within their class. I know when East was in 4A none of us gave a crap about 6A only having 32 teams and having a bye thrown in. We all knew it's an all-in tournament and we had twice as many teams in 4A. We weren't playing any 6A schools in the tourney. Just play the game and control what you can control. 2. Even if 5A got evened out to 32 teams, what about the other classes? There are 63 teams each in 1A and 2A so one team in each class gets a bye. Should we cry about that and how it's unfair those teams get to rest while everyone else has to play? 4A has 61 teams so three teams get a bye. I haven't heard the other 58 teams complaining about it.

Two problems with this: 1. Bigger schools aren't playing smaller schools so who cares? 2. Unless 5A gets evened out to 32 teams, this won't work.

Columbus East definitely needed the bye. Our boys are a lot more banged up than in previous years. Regardless, I have no problem with the bye being that particular week. Sure beats 2013 and 2014 where the bye in 6A was the week between semi-state and state. If I was a player on one of those teams playing for a state title I would've hated having to think about that game for two weeks.

Gonna be a chilly game. The forecast is showing low 40s/upper 30s.

You responded six weeks later?! Lol. I'd completely forgotten about this interaction. I mentioned tradition and a winning reputation as being an advantage. This is where Snider falls and that's why (along with coaching) they're able to consistently win year after year. They pull in some of the best athletes because of open enrollment. (Yes, I was aware of open enrollment. We have that in Columbus too.) I must admit, it sounds like I may be a little out of the loop on the economic situation at Luers based on what you're telling me. Has Luers always been poor? They won eight state titles in a 14 year period from 1999 to 2012 so I'm curious to know what advantages led to that success. Makes me think things have changed there since then.

Greenwood beat Madison 61-0. Martinsville beat Jennings County 42-7.

Week 10 Predictions Only two games this week. I'll try to put up the pick 'em standings a little bit later. Greenwood (3-6) at Madison (1-8): The Woodmen take it. Not much more to say. No explanation needed. Jennings County (3-6) at Martinsville (3-6): In week 1, the Artesians slaughtered BNL 40-7 who went on to smash Jennings County in week 3 50-21. Normally I wouldn't use the transitive property to pick a winner but there's a big difference between the Mid State Conference and the Hoosier Hills Conference. These scores allow you to see that clearly. Martinsville wins.

Girls cross country team also advanced to semistate. It was by the skin of their teeth but they did it.

Heck yes. I'm not happy with my 2nd place finish last year. I'm in!

Most don't have an opinion. Some (like me) are excited for it and love the challenge. Haven't heard a single complaint from East fans about the success factor rule.

He might be. I haven't been to a girls game in quite some time. Always liked running into Willie in the gym on my way out to track practice. Great guy.

I figured @Olympian06 was referring to Humes (I couldn't remember what his number was). That name is a mainstay in Madison but Willie Humes used to be an assistant girls basketball coach at East. Not sure what the relation is here but I'm sure there is one.

What happened? Did Jeff become the Jeff of old and give it away or does the credit go to BNL for playing like a different team in the second half?

This isn't meant as a knock on BNL but I still have no idea how they lost to Madison. Makes less sense to me than quantum mechanics.

Still more logical than how the IHSAA draws up some of these sectionals.

New Albany beats Jennings County 42-20

None of it will ever happen. It was more about wishful thinking than it was about logic.

Of the teams you have listed, I found your new Conference Indiana. They're in bold.

Not their decision. They leave it up to the schools and put their own focus on education.

HHC Pick 'Em Standings: 1. @boilerfan87 38/43(.884) 2. @Frozen Tundra 35/43 (.814) 3. @starbacker 23/30 (.767) 4. @Fkfootball 3/4 (.750) 5. @mamasa 26/35 (.743) 6. @TIFootball 2/4 (.500) Week 9 Predictions: Bedford North Lawrence (2-6, 2-3 HHC) at Jeffersonville (3-5, 3-2 HHC): This is a game that feels like it could go either way. The Red Devils have won two straight, although it was against Madison and Jennings County. The Stars have lost three straight but it was against stiff competition. I have nothing to go by here except my gut and my gut is telling me BNL squeaks one out. Floyd Central (6-2, 4-1 HHC) at Seymour (4-4, 2-3 HHC): The Highlanders are looking to wrap up sole possession of 2nd place. The Owls have lost four straight but none of those losses was by more than seven points. To add to the intrigue, Seymour has won its last two home games against Floyd Central. This may come down to which defense is more effective at stopping the run. I've got to think that will be Floyd Central but I've been surprised before. Regardless, I'll say Floyd Central gets its first win in Seymour since 2014. Jennings County (3-5, 1-4 HHC) at New Albany (3-5, 2-3 HHC): The Bulldogs have won two straight after starting 0-3 in HHC play. The Panthers are 0-4 against 5A opponents with no game being closer than 21 points. I believe both streaks will continue. I'll take New Albany by at least 21. Madison (1-7, 1-4 HHC) at Columbus East (6-2, 5-0 HHC): The worst team in the HHC plays the best team. Great timing for the Olympians who are needing the extra rest before opening up sectional play with Center Grove. The question going into this game isn't whether Madison will win, it's whether they'll score a touchdown. The Cubs haven't found the endzone against East since 2015.

Not true. They don't want anything to do with Conference Indiana as long as the Terre Haute schools are there. That's why they turned down the invitation two years ago.