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It amazes me that I have been around football my entire life and something comes along like...what I will refer to as "the punt". Kuddos to the refs for knowing the correct call on the play as I had no idea that was a rule. Another fun one I saw this year was the fair catch on an onside kick. The ball when straight up and the big fella on the front line had the whereabouts to call a fair catch. Anyone else see something odd / interesting this year?

This game has the makings of a good one. New Prairie's offense scares me a bit against NW's defense. They run that misdirection...however....different than most schools NorthWood plays (IE Warsaw / Mishawaka)...NP is no stranger to throwing the ball. NW's defense will have to prepare for both attacks. Judging by the couple of common opponents, NW has played them a bit better, however, this time of year you can throw that out of the window. The weather looks great for regional football so I'm sure Andrews field will be a packed house. Turnovers and field position will play a huge part in this game.

Well this thread turned quite quickly....everyone on the GID knows that kids will be kids. I can guarantee every team in the State of Indiana...and the country...has kids that do things they probably shouldn't. In the age of social media...its just seen in the public eye. I don't know anyone personally on this thread, but I can speculate each one of you played football or some other sport in your youth. And I can almost gaurantee each one of you did something in high school that would be looked down on in the sporting world. We can all agree that Friday's game was a good one. Someday maybe NorthWood and Northridge will face one another will all of their players available. Hats off to a great season for Northridge and they...like NorthWood did last year...can use this as a learning experiance for their younger guys. Thoughts on the game: NorthWood needs to get their emotions under control. They need to just play football and leave the "stuff" on the sidelines. I was suprised at how well they ran the ball against a good Northridge defense. That is an aspect of the game they needed to improve on. I was also suprised on Northridge's use...or lack there of...of their timeouts on the last drive. It will be interesting to see how NW will handle New Prairie's offense. Turnovers killed Northridge in the first half. Had they had better ball control, i feel like they would have won this game. The young quarterback needs to learn from this game and I think he will be fine going forward as their starter next year with a great running back returning as well. Again...all and all...a good season for Northridge. Congrats to NW for a hard fought win and the sectional "monkey" off of their back. It should make for a great game next week against New Prairie. Side note: Northridge...bravo on your uniforms...probably my favorite of all the NLC teams. Mishawaka played an interesting game against Concord. I didn't see the game however was told that the sickness bug is running through the entire program. I hope they get better as they have a tough task next week against a great Snider team. Hopefully playing at home will give them an edge. Concord.... Maybe a bit of a disappointed season, however I think they will be in the thick of things next year in the NLC race. OFF to the regionals!!!

In regard to class size in the NLC...I think in the near future Warsaw will drop to 5A and Northridge will move up to 5A. The Middlebury area is growing fast and the opposite for Warsaw. If that were to happen...Warsaw would make 5A North really interesting.

I don't think the community has or will loose faith in the program. While NorthWood has always had a strong football program, since Andrews has been here, there has been a lot of growth in the lower levels. 20 - 30 years ago, there was not a youth program in the NorthWood community. Most families had to look elsewhere to get their kids involved in football...Bremen at one time had a great youth program. In my opinion, the football program has grown under Andrews. There never used to be so much community / family involvement. I think that has to do with him being from the community and knowing everyone. With that, this year they brought in more people that have long standing connections with the community. NorthWood just hasn't gotten over that sectional hump since we went to State a few years ago. Northridge has had their number the last two years, however, there were "other" issues that lost us those games. That is reflected in the regular season scores against them. Before Northridge it was Leo and Angola...those 4 years they lost sectional games with a combined point total of 14 points. Way back it was St. Joe. In regard to the schemes that NorthWood runs....that's everywhere. No more are the ground and pound days with two backs featured in the NLC...gone also are the days of 4 big fellas on the D line holding up O linemen getting to linebackers. This year is an example of adapting. Early in the year, the defensive scheme just wasn't working (IE the Northridge and Warsaw games) and they have made some modifications (IE the Mishawaka game). I strongly feel as if NorthWood has the team this year to make a deep run. With all of that said...I don't think there are many teams in the entire norther part of the State (not including Chatard...they belong in the South) that have the football stability year in year out. NorthWood will be fine this year...and the years to follow and I think Andrews will be welcomed with the program for probably as long as he would like. Just one persons opinions / perspective.

Warsaw with a big win last Friday...i assumed it would be a coin toss, but they won handedly...way to represent the NLC! NW game...that got out of hand quite quickly. I feel bad for Washington kids and am shocked that a team with 40is kids...only 20ish people came to watch them...I have no idea how they beat Plymouth the week prior. Mishawaka / Northridge / Concord did what they were supposed to last Friday. Wawasee...Hold you heads high! This team showed the greatest improvement in my opinion and have something to build on for next year. Warsaw and Penn should be a great game. If Warsaw plays like they did last Friday...watch out Penn. I watched the Penn / Mishawaka game and after Mishawaka's first drive, Penn figured out how to stop said "Bart Ball" and controlled the remainder of the game. I really like Warsaw in this game, but playing at Penn...Warsaw is a great place to watch a game and their fans always show up...but they don't travel as well as some of the other NLC teams. With that said...I'm going to say Warsaw gets the offense rolling early and wins a close game. Warsaw 21 Penn 17 Mishawaka at Concord: I don't see Concord staying in this game too long. I feel like Mishawaka will roll past Concord setting up a battle in the regionals. Mishawaka 35 Concord 7 NorthWood at Northridge: This has turned into quite the rivalry....The game during the season....NorthWood didnt even try to run the ball. They seem to have shifted toward a more balanced offense and are running it better than I would have ever guessed. The 1st meeting, NR didn't have their RB 1 and still ran all over NW's defense. NW has shown they are wiling to modify their "base" defense and that may help. I honestly don't know what NW team will show up Friday. The weather outlook looks great, so that helps NW's passing game...but it is at NR. I'm going to be a homer and take NW in a close game. NW 31 NR 24

1. Brownsburg @ Ben Davis 2. Lawrence Central @ Lawrence North 3. Noblesville @ Zionsville 4. Bloomington South @ Bloomington North 5. Evansville North @ Floyd Central 6. Franklin @ Terre Haute South 7. Plainfield @ Harrison 8. East Noble @ Leo 9. Mississinewa @ Columbia City 10. Roncalli @ Mooresville 11. Fairfield @ John Glenn 12. Indian Creek @ Franklin County 13. Lawrenceburg @ Batesville 14. Yorktown @ Delta 15. Brownstown Central @ Triton Central 16. Central Noble @ Manchester 17. Greencastle @ Linton-Stockton 18. Heritage Christian @ Winchester 19. North Posey @ Evansville Mater Dei 20. Rochester @ Lafayette Central Catholic 21. Wheeler @ Bremen 22. Clinton Prairie @ North Vermillion

Round 1 turned out pretty much how most expected. I really enjoyed seeing Wawasee win a playoff game! I really thought Plymouth would advance again, however, they have improved alot this year and hopefully that trend continues into next year for them. None of the other games were really that competative....on to Round 2! Concord at Adams: I don't see this game being too competative. Adams hasn't been competative this year and I don't see them turning things around this week. Concord will win big. Concord 45 Adams 7 Mishawaka at Goshen: This game will be over quickly. Goshen just doesn't have the players to compete with a team like Mishawaka. They will run there offense and the 11 guys that play both ways will get real tired...real quick. Mishawaka by a lot. Mishawaka 49 Goshen 0 Wawasee at Northridge: This is an interesting game. Wawasee is coming off of their 1st playoff win in about 10 years and during the season, they stayed with NR and only lost by a touchdown. I think NR had some people missing in that game which may make a difference this Friday. NR seems to turn it on in the post season, and I don't see that being different this year. Wawasee showed great improvement this year and I envision they will get even better next year. NR 38 Wawasee 21 Carroll at Warsaw: I would like to think that a home field advantage would help Warsaw in this matchup as Warsaw's crowd always shows up. If Warsaw doesn't fall behind early, they have a chance to keep up with Carroll. As much as I would like to see Warsaw win this game...I feel Carroll will stop Warsaw's running game and control this game. Carroll 42 Warsaw 17 Washington at NW: This will be the most lopsided contest of the week in regard to NLC schools. Washington's season comes to an end with a running clock Friday. NW 49 Washington 7 Good luck to everyone on Friday...should be great football weather!

1. Beech Grove @ Muncie Central 2. Culver Academy @ Lowell 3. Hobart @ New Prairie 4. Pendleton Heights @ Greenfield-Central 5. Danville @ Tri-West 6. Lawrenceburg @ Centerville 7. Scottsburg @ North Harrison 8. Twin Lakes @ Boone Grove 9. Western Boone @ North Montgomery 10. Andrean @ LaVille 11. Bluffton @ Alexandria 12. Eastbrook @ Frankton 13. Evansville Mater Dei @ Tell City 14. Greencastle @ North Putnam 15. Sullivan @ Southmont 16. Clinton Prairie @ Covington 17. North Miami @ Southern Wells 18. Pioneer @ North Judson

Here are my thoughts on this season in the NLC as well as going forward into the post season. Congratulations to Warsaw and Mishawaka...well deserved co champs! I think this season was one of the more competative seasons within the NLC. At the begging of the season, I don't think there was a full on favorite to win the crown. Warsaw / Mishawaka / NW / Northridge all had a chance with Concord not that too far of a stretch. My biggest takeaways from the regular season was actually the bottom half of the conference. Plymouth / Goshen / Wawasee all showed great improvment from previous years (not looking at the records). Plymouth...2 years since a win, that is a huge mental hurdle to jump over. Wawasee's record shows only 1 win...but those kids came to play every game and made every team they played work for it. Then there is Goshen...while I don't understand what is going on with Goshen's program...I know they have about 10 kids going both ways and those fellas give it their all. I really hope numbers improve...they have a good coach, great facilities and a passionate fan base. It was a fun season...and now on to the post season: Our big boys have the week off and in my opinion all of the NLC teams will make it to week 2 of sectionals. Northridge at Logansport: Logansport runs that offense that no likes to prepare for, however, I feel like Warsaw and Mishawaka run it much better than Logansport and NR has seen it before. I don't think Northridge will have any troubles beating the mighty berries from Logansport. If I remember correctly, the visiting teams locker room at Logansport is about the size of a broom closet...hopefully the weather will permit Northridge to hang out under the trees rather than cram in there (I base this on the covid year when NW played at Logansport / I don't remember the away locker rooms being that large nor having air conditioning but I could be wrong). Northridge 49 Logansport 14 Wawasee at Riley: Riley getting that NIC championship...good for them as it has been...a few..years for them. I think that Wawasee's schedule was better than Riley's and Wawasee played everyone really well. I think Wawasee may win its first playoff game in 10-11 years! Wawasee 21 Riley 13 Plymouth at Washington: This was probably the best draw for both teams to get a 1st round victory. This may turn out to be a good game. I again think that Plymouth has played a better season than Washington. I think this will be close, however, Plymouth will come out on top. Plymouth 28 Washington 7 NorthWood at St. Joe: I think NW has figured out their defense and have made adjustments when necessary. I don't feel like this game will be too competative. St. Joe beat whom they should have this year and lost to whom most would have guessed. I will take NW by possibly a running clock at some point. NW 49 St. Joe 14 All in all I think all the NLC teams playing this week will be playing in round two. Good luck to everyone!

Posted 13 hours ago Week 9 Pick ‘Em Games: 1. Carmel @ Lawrence Central 2. Hamilton Southeastern @ Brownsburg 3. Portage @ LaPorte 4. Terre Haute South @ Columbus North 5. Northridge @ Warsaw 6. Northview @ Indian Creek 7. Yorktown @ Mount Vernon (Fortville) 8. Hamilton Heights @ West Lafayette 9. Bluffton @ Lakeland 10. Madison-Grant @ Alexandria 11. Seeger @ North Vermillion 12. North White @ West Central

1. Fishers @ Westfield 2. Fort Wayne Wayne @ Fort Wayne North 3. Greenwood @ Franklin 4. Columbia City @ Leo 5. Mooresville @ Martinsville 6. New Haven @ East Noble 7. Delta @ Greenfield-Central 8. Pendleton Heights @ Yorktown 9. Western Boone @ Danville 10. Southridge @ North Posey 11. Sheridan @ Eastern (Greentown)

In regard to turf for the football field, I have asked myself that same question for sometime. I am assuming the powers that be want grass. I would imagine that when they put in the baseball / softball complex they could have gotten a really good deal for the extra turf. I know they are going to be connecting the AC to the Gym which may play a factor in putting money in different projects. In the NLC...NorthWood, Concord and Mishawaka are the only schools without turf and they may see it as an advantage when everyone else is playing on turf.

I think St. Joe and Marian would be excellent fits in the NLC....however, I don't think the NLC would like to give up its 2 non conference games nor split the conference into divisions. I really feel bad for those schools "left" behind or left on an island. Penn would be fine as on its own and would have no issues scheduling a full season, however, St. Joe and Marian and currently Elkhart would find it a bit more difficult as they are not "bringing" much to the table for other teams. On another thread there are those who feel Warsaw is a better fit in a Ft. Wayne conference ( I am not one of those) and if that were to happen, I could see St. Joe / Marian / NP / Elkhart make a serious effort into joining the conference to replace them.

That was an interesting slate of games on Friday in the NLC...it turned out to be the best week of the year. Every one of the games were close and I wish I would have been able to watch all of them. I feel like this week will be the complete opposite, as the matchups are fairly lopsided in my opinion. Concord at Mishawaka: Probably the best game of the week. Both teams are coming off of tough losses last week. Having seen both teams in person, I feel Mishawaka is the better team here. Watching Mishawaka on Friday, they are a really good football team. If Concord is able to stop a couple of Mishawaka drives and scores, they may keep it close. I don't see this happening. Mishawaka 38 Concord 17 Plymouth at Northridge: Plymouth lost a heartbreaker last week with that walk off field goal...however...I really like it when the kicking game has an impact in games. I feel like, in my lifetime, the kicking game may be removed from football and that makes me sad. Northridge played a good game against Concord. I don't see Plymouth getting a win at Northridge, but I hope they make it competetive. Plymouth is headed in the right direction. Northridge 37 Plymouth 10 Warsaw at Goshen: This one is lopsided, however, I said the same thing with Wawasee and Warsaw and that proved to be incorrect. I see this game possibly having a running clock at some point. Warsaw 49 Goshen 7 NorthWood at Wawasee: NorthWood won a nail bitter last week and Wawasee played Warsaw very well. I don't think Wawsee will keep up with NW's offense and this should be a running clock as well. NW 42 Wawasee 7 Thoughts on the NW / Mishawaka Game: This game highlighted about the only way NW will make some noise in the playoffs. They will not be stopping teams like Mishawaka from scoring...only slowing them down. Friday, they only had the ball 2 times maybe 3 in the 1st half and could not stop Mishawaka's running game. NW played fairly mistake free football and did not allow big plays. This game remined me of the NW / Warsaw game a few years ago. I also feel like this game is what the boys needed, knowing they could compete with a team like Mishawaka (bigger, faster and runs the ball the whole game). I am curious as to what happened to NW's football field. Typically the school take great care of their grass field...it was a hot mess express on Friday and I am sure that Mishawaka was not happy with what they saw as it was a muddy mess in some places. Any who...the regular season is winding down and the NLC shows again that it is a very competetive conference and will more than likely have a shared champion.

You are correct...they have only ever won 1 sectional championship their history. If they were to move to a conference playing the likes of a Snider or Carroll during the year...they will consistently lose those games. With loses comes smaller numbers in a program. I can remember a time when a team like NorthWood had almost double the amount of kids on the sidelines compared to Warsaw. Success builds a program. Losing regular season games does not make you better in the long run...winning does. If Warsaw was better than the NLC and thought it would help them...they would have left along time ago. And this is just talking about football...Warsaw would also get dominated in almost every sport moving conferences.

NW and Mishawaka...ehhh...I would like to think it will be interesting. Judging by the NW / Warsaw game...NW will have to get some turnover help (as well as none themselves) and at least attempt to stop their run game. I just hope they are competative as its senior night and potentially those young men's last night playing at Andrew's Field.

1. Terre Haute North @ Southport 2. Martinsville @ Perry Meridian 3. Northridge @ Concord 4. Bedford North Lawrence @ Floyd Central 5. Vincennes Lincoln @ Evansville North 6. Evansville Memorial @ Evansville Reitz 7. Bluffton @ Heritage 8. Lafayette Central Catholic @ Twin Lakes 9. Indianapolis Scecina @ Triton Central 10. Hagerstown @ Winchester 11. Milan @ Providence

Is the NLC really holding Warsaw back? Up until the Curtis years, Warsaw did not have a whole lot of success. Would Warsaw benefit leaving a conference in which they can currently compete for a conference championship and leave for a hypothetical / or real conference toward Fort Wayne...I am just speaking on football. If I were a player or parent, I wouldn't want to lose multiple regular season games a year...just to face the same schools in the playoffs and probably lose there as well. Warsaw is having success on the gridiron right now, however, all schools go through a slump and I feel they would regret their decision in the long run. I know people say, playing better competition throughout the year prepares a team for the playoffs...and that is true...however, that is only true if you are playing other schools than you face during the year. Just my two thoughts on the matter coming from someone whom would not like to see Warsaw leave the NLC as it is one of the best places to watch a game as they have hands down the best consession stands in the area...im talking to you guy who runs the grill!

Week 6 is in the books for the NLC. Not a whole lot of suprises...wait...good for Wawasee making it a game with Northridge. I know Northridge had some people out, however, from a moral standpoint I bet that game was dang near a victory for the boys in Syracuse...good for them! On to week 7! Goshen at Plymouth: This game may be interesting. Both teams have made strides from last year and are much improved no matter what the records show. I think this game will be a close one and the home field will play a role. I will take Plymouth for their 3rd win of the year. Plymouth 21 Goshen 14 Mishawaka at NorthWood: While this game may very well turn out to be a good one...i have my doubts. Mishawaka is playing really well and NorthWood is just not built to stop that type of offense. NorthWood's only chace is to score and keep scoring hoping Mishawaka makes a mistake they can capitalize on. NorthWood has only beaten Mishawaka once since they joined the NLC and I don't think Friday will bring them the 2nd. Mishawaka 38 NorthWood 21 Northridge at Concord: Northridge is missing some people and Concord is playing well right now. Last Friday's game against Wawasee was out of the norm and I think they will bounce back just fine. I think home field will and always helps, however, not Friday. Northridge will come fired up due to their showing against Wawasee. Northridge 35 Concord 28 Wawasee at Warsaw: Just like Northridge, Warsaw is going to come out fired up after their "not so good" showing last week. Wawasee whom didnt really have a shot to begin with will feel their wrath. I know Warsaw hasnt put up a lot of points this year (excluding the NW game), however, Friday they will get things rolling. Warsaw 49 Wawasee 7. Quick note on a previous post about NorthWood's showing off or being uncoached. Its pretty obvious NW has some good players on this team. Those players can't play every position on the field and it is quite obvious to anyone whom has watched a game this year, the positions lost to graduation are struggling...not the skill positions. In today's age, that is life for this generation. Not just in sports, but life is lived on social media...for good or bad. I cant fathom a team like NorthWood being "uncoached". There is a reason that a small farm school like NW has only had maybe 4-5 losing seasons ever....its 93 percent coaching. Those are just my 2 cents for what its worth.

Annnndddd....here are my predictions for the week...I think there is only going to be 1 good game this week. Maybe the most lopsided week of the year. Concord at Goshen: While I am choosing Concord to win, I think Goshen has come along way and will keep it close...for a half. I expect Concord to pull away in the 2nd half. Concord 38 Goshen 17 Northridge at Wawasee: This game will have a running clock. Not a whole lot more to say about this game. Northridge 49 Wawasee 7 Plymouth at NorthWood: See previous comment above. NorthWood 49 Plymouth 7 And the game that will decide the NLC! Warsaw at Mishawaka: Both teams mirror one another in just about every aspect. Warsaw capitalized on turnovers last week and ran all over NorthWood. Mishawaka (other than the Penn game) has looked pretty good. This game could be a toss up however I think being at home will help. Mishawaka 28 Warsaw 13

1. Brownsburg @ Westfield 2. Crown Point @ Valparaiso 3. Warsaw @ Mishawaka 4. Columbia City @ New Haven 5. New Palestine @ Greenfield-Central 6. Heritage Hills @ Gibson Southern 7. Batesville @ Lawrenceburg 8. Knox @ LaVille 9. Northeastern @ Centerville 10. Seeger @ Fountain Central 11. Eastern Hancock @ Milan

This years NorthWood team is built like the early Manning years with the Colts. They have to score a lot of points and get on top early as they will get scored on. I believe I said this earlier in this thread, teams like Warsaw and Mishawaka will beat NorthWood and their undersized defense. I will say against Warsaw, it was nice to see the defense move out of a 3 man front and start putting bodies on the los. Looking to the rest of the season, they will have another loss to Mishawaka...beat Goshen, Wawasee and Plymouth. The interesting thing will come during playoffs. For a team people were picking to with the north...they have lots of teams who run their ball in their way. In sectional 18, they will have to get by Northridge (which I think if they would have run the ball the 1st meeting...they would have won). Then comes regionals...Sectional 17 has NP...while NP my be a bit down this year, they can still run that "bart ball" pretty good. Hobart runs that pigskin pretty good as well. Then if some chance...they make it to the winners of 19 and 20...all of the top tier schools run the ball pretty good. Its going to be a struggle for NorthWood in the playoffs this year.

1. FW Carroll @ FW Snider 2. NorthWood @ Warsaw 3. Southport @ Beech Grove 4. Merrillville @ Michigan City 5. Castle @ Vincennes Lincoln 6. Hammond Central @ Pioneer 7. Leo @ East Noble 8. New Prairie @ South Bend St. Joseph 9. Southridge @ Gibson Southern 10. North Harrison @ Brownstown Central 11. Carroll (Flora) @ Eastern (Greentown)

Another week in the books for the NLC...My preview for Friday: Goshen at Northridge: Goshen lost...again...but on the bright side, they are not just rolling over. They are making teams work. Northridge played well last week against NW. Not knowing a lot about NR this year, I would say once they get their RB back...they need to run off of the Left Tackle...every play...that lineman controlled everyone in front of him. I don't expect this game to be too close and probably a running clock at some point. NR 49 Goshen 14 Mishawaka at Plymouth: Plymouth on their way to a possible 3 win season!? Not this game, but possibly this season. I feel as if Mishawaka is now in position to win the NLC outright...I thought that at the start of the season, and still feel that way. This game is probably the most lopsided of the week. Mishawaka 49 Plymouth 3 NorthWood at Warsaw: NorthWood played...well...an interesting game to say the least against NR. While I am not going to arm chair any coaches or try to tell anyone how to coach a team...I just don't think running the ball 3-4 times a game is a good thing when it comes to balance. Northridge did a good job of defending the passing game and capitalizing on turnovers. Im interested in Warsaw...they don't score a lot however they also don't get scored on a lot. This will be a telling game for NW to see how they handle "Bart Ball". I don't think they will handle it well. Im still picking NW in this game if their offense plays mistake free. NW 35 Warsaw 21. Wawasse at Concord: Not a whole lot to say about this game. I see Concord winning with little to no problems. Its going to be a long rest of the season for they boys in Syracuse...its getting colder, lake season is coming to an end, and they arn't beating anyone the rest of the season. Concord 47 Wawasee 7