MIC Week #8

[temptation]

Carmel @ Warren Central:  For some reason I feel like these are two programs looking for new coaches in the offseason unless something magical happens over the next 6 weeks.  Carmel's downward trend is no longer a speed bump, but rather the norm.  Warren was completely outclassed in all facets last week against Lawrence North.  Its state title or bust at these two schools and their 2024 performance is falling below the standard.  I honestly have no idea what to expect from this one.  I trust Carmel's ability to play complementary football more so than I do Warren so I will pick Carmel in a close one, 24-20.

Center Grove @ Lawrence North:  Wow.  What a game this should be.  CG let one slip away against Cathedral last week, whereas Lawrence North made it 5 in a row against Warren with a big statement win on the road.  I have been bullish on both programs and wonder if this is the year LN can pull the upset.  It's their best chance that I can remember.  Unless I miscounted, CG has won 19 in a row over LN.  I'm riding with LN though I am struggling as I type this.  CG losing two in a row?  Hasn't happened since 2019.  LN wins 34-31.

Lawrence Central @ Ben Davis:  Just when I was ready to throw dirt on top of BD, they had a resounding win on the road last week at Carmel.  Lawrence Central, on the other hand, rolled over NC as expected.  LC has been a bit more consistent than the Giants so I will take em on the road in a coin flip game.  Bears win 27-23.

Pike @ North Central:  Pike gets right this week as all other MIC members have.  A blowout win over Guerin followed by another over NC has the Red Devils riding high entering the tournament.  Pike wins 34-14.

What say you?

[Komets2727]

51 minutes ago, temptation said:

Carmel @ Warren Central:  For some reason I feel like these are two programs looking for new coaches in the offseason unless something magical happens over the next 6 weeks.  Carmel's downward trend is no longer a speed bump, but rather the norm.  Warren was completely outclassed in all facets last week against Lawrence North.  Its state title or bust at these two schools and their 2024 performance is falling below the standard.  I honestly have no idea what to expect from this one.  I trust Carmel's ability to play complementary football more so than I do Warren so I will pick Carmel in a close one, 24-20.

Center Grove @ Lawrence North:  Wow.  What a game this should be.  CG let one slip away against Cathedral last week, whereas Lawrence North made it 5 in a row against Warren with a big statement win on the road.  I have been bullish on both programs and wonder if this is the year LN can pull the upset.  It's their best chance that I can remember.  Unless I miscounted, CG has won 19 in a row over LN.  I'm riding with LN though I am struggling as I type this.  CG losing two in a row?  Hasn't happened since 2019.  LN wins 34-31.

Lawrence Central @ Ben Davis:  Just when I was ready to throw dirt on top of BD, they had a resounding win on the road last week at Carmel.  Lawrence Central, on the other hand, rolled over NC as expected.  LC has been a bit more consistent than the Giants so I will take em on the road in a coin flip game.  Bears win 27-23.

Pike @ North Central:  Pike gets right this week as all other MIC members have.  A blowout win over Guerin followed by another over NC has the Red Devils riding high entering the tournament.  Pike wins 34-14.

What say you?

Warren Central 21 - Carmel 14

Lawrence North 42 - Center Grove 28

Ben Davis 35 - Lawrence Central 21

Pike 42 North Central 14

[BDGiant93]

I don't know if I agree with your coaching assessment, but it seemed that Carmel got a little banged up last week. Their offense really struggled in the second half. 19 carries for 18 yards on the ground. They did make their mark through the air. Carmel just seems like a team that's plateaued. Hard to say that someone whose team is 6-1 could be out of a job unless he retires at WC. But, you do have a way of picking these things. Warren 28, Carmel 7 

Until I see something else, these are the two best teams I've seen all year. LN is loaded on offense. Two of the best QBs in 6A. Hard to believe these Trojans could get blown out, but LN just may be the team that can do it. I don't think it happens here, though! LN 42, Center Grove 35

I get the feeling that Ben Davis has turned the corner. I just think that second half against Carmel showed that they are ready to make a stretch run, but you're right about LC. I think they're flying right under the radar. They aren't great, but they certainly are very good. They've played everyone not named Warren Central tough. Despite losing 18 of the last 20 in the series, LC seems to have BD's number. I will choose BD in a nail biter. Ben Davis 45, Lawrence Central 42 

I think Pike rolls North Central. Pike 35, North Central 7

[temptation]

32 minutes ago, BDGiant93 said:

I don't know if I agree with your coaching assessment, but it seemed that Carmel got a little banged up last week. Their offense really struggled in the second half. 19 carries for 18 yards on the ground. They did make their mark through the air. Carmel just seems like a team that's plateaued. Hard to say that someone whose team is 6-1 could be out of a job unless he retires at WC. But, you do have a way of picking these things. Warren 28, Carmel 7 

Until I see something else, these are the two best teams I've seen all year. LN is loaded on offense. Two of the best QBs in 6A. Hard to believe these Trojans could get blown out, but LN just may be the team that can do it. I don't think it happens here, though! LN 42, Center Grove 35

I get the feeling that Ben Davis has turned the corner. I just think that second half against Carmel showed that they are ready to make a stretch run, but you're right about LC. I think they're flying right under the radar. They aren't great, but they certainly are very good. They've played everyone not named Warren Central tough. Despite losing 18 of the last 20 in the series, LC seems to have BD's number. I will choose BD in a nail biter. Ben Davis 45, Lawrence Central 42 

I think Pike rolls North Central. Pike 35, North Central 7

Unless something changes, Carmel is likely going home in the sectional for the fifth straight year.  The standard at Carmel HAS to be higher and they have been surpassed by all three of their county rivals in my opinion.  Its a trend at this point.

There were some whispers in Warren circles this summer that this was the "best Warren team in 20 years"...what an insult that has turned out to be.  Warren is a pressure cooker and while Kirschner may receive the benefit of the doubt due to his longevity, you can't toss the above quote around, then get embarrassed on your home field with the conference title on the line AND suffer an EIGHTH straight loss to CG (in a hypothetical rematch in the regional).

Just my opinion.

[LC_Bears_04]

Warren Central by 14 over Carmel

Center Grove by 3 over LN

Ben Davis by 7 over LC

Pike by 21 over North Central

[BDGiant93]

On 10/9/2024 at 3:12 PM, temptation said:

Unless something changes, Carmel is likely going home in the sectional for the fifth straight year.  The standard at Carmel HAS to be higher and they have been surpassed by all three of their county rivals in my opinion.  Its a trend at this point.

There were some whispers in Warren circles this summer that this was the "best Warren team in 20 years"...what an insult that has turned out to be.  Warren is a pressure cooker and while Kirschner may receive the benefit of the doubt due to his longevity, you can't toss the above quote around, then get embarrassed on your home field with the conference title on the line AND suffer an EIGHTH straight loss to CG (in a hypothetical rematch in the regional).

Just my opinion.

Criticism is fair. I just don't think the year is over yet, and you pointed that out here. 

[temptation]

2 hours ago, BDGiant93 said:

Criticism is fair. I just don't think the year is over yet, and you pointed that out here. 

Yeah, just trending poorly for both.  

[BDGiant93]

13 minutes ago, temptation said:

Yeah, just trending poorly for both.  

Worse for Carmel. Warren's offense was always going to be a problem. Now, it appears their defense is struggling a bit.

[Komets2727]

4 hours ago, BDGiant93 said:

Worse for Carmel. Warren's offense was always going to be a problem. Now, it appears their defense is struggling a bit.

Not sure that the defense is struggling, LN is just very dynamic offensively 

[temptation]

4 minutes ago, Komets2727 said:

Not sure that the defense is struggling, LN is just very dynamic offensively 

Warren’s D is just put in so many bad positions and (no offense) LN is the first offense they have played this season with the ability to make them pay.

Heard a stat recently that Warren has 21 turnovers in 7 games. They’ve forced more than that and actually have a plus turnover margin, but have rarely cashed in when their defense gives them the ball.

Crazy stat.

Edited October 11, 2024 by temptation

[Komets2727]

1 hour ago, temptation said:

Warren’s D is just put in so many bad positions and (no offense) LN is the first offense they have played this season with the ability to make them pay.

Heard a stat recently that Warren has 21 turnovers in 7 games. They’ve forced more than that and actually have a plus turnover margin, but have rarely cashed in when their defense gives them the ball.

Crazy stat.

Yes, it is insane how bad Warren’s offense is. With the great field position they are given by their stellar defense time after time, they should be putting up points

[BDGiant93]

4 hours ago, Komets2727 said:

Not sure that the defense is struggling, LN is just very dynamic offensively 

LN is an excellent football team as they are proving tonight.

[Footballking16]

Heads need to roll at Carmel.

Edited October 12, 2024 by Footballking16

[temptation]

56 minutes ago, BDGiant93 said:

LN is an excellent football team as they are proving tonight.

Should be given extreme consideration for #1 in the various polls come next week.

I’ve moved em there.

[Komets2727]

24 minutes ago, Footballking16 said:

Heads need to roll at Carmel.

Agreed. 

[BTF]

11 minutes ago, temptation said:

Should be given extreme consideration for #1 in the various polls come next week.

I’ve moved em there.

I'll keep them at #3. Good debate though.

[temptation]

4 minutes ago, BTF said:

I'll keep them at #3. Good debate though.

Brownsburg’s win over Fishers now looks much less impressive as does tonight’s squeaker against Noblesville.

Brownsburg barely edged Westfield, who beat CG by single digits who got rolled by LN tonight.

I think we finally have our parity in 6A.

 

Edited October 12, 2024 by temptation

[BDGiant93]

2 minutes ago, temptation said:

Brownsburg’s win over Fishers now looks much less impressive as does tonight’s squeaker against Noblesville.

Brownsburg barely edged Westfield, who beat CG by single digits who got rolled by LN tonight.

I think we finally have our parity in 6A.

 

This is going to be a whale of an interesting playoffs this year.

[BDGiant93]

48 minutes ago, Footballking16 said:

Heads need to roll at Carmel.

Hebert has two state titles and a runner-up, but that seems like 100 years ago.

[BTF]

10 minutes ago, temptation said:

Brownsburg’s win over Fishers now looks much less impressive as does tonight’s squeaker against Noblesville.

Brownsburg barely edged Westfield, who beat CG by single digits who got rolled by LN tonight.

I think we finally have our parity in 6A.

 

I certainly get your point, but I'm going to remain stubborn. This is looking like a three horse race, which might be unfair to Crown Point. Cathedral might have something to say, I just have a hard time overlooking their loss to Brownsburg by three scores. Which begs the question: Is LN rolling CG more impressive than Brownsburg rolling Cathedral?

[Footballking16]

LN’s win extremely impressive but Center Grove just seems to lack some juice this year. Defense in the two games I’ve seen is very prone to giving up the big play and just can’t seem to get off the field when it matters and the QB has been a turnover machine the last few games. 
 

LN’s athletes are scary good and LN’s QB puts the ball where it needs to be more times than not. They are susceptible up the middle defensively and I thought Center Grove got away from that the second they went down a score. Nobody is beating LN in a shootout this year I wouldn’t think.

[Footballking16]

18 minutes ago, BDGiant93 said:

Hebert has two state titles and a runner-up, but that seems like 100 years ago.

We’re going on more than half a decade of Carmel being largely irrelevant. They’re the 5th best team…in Hamilton County. 

Edited October 12, 2024 by Footballking16

[Bash Riprock]

While it’s tough your team go down, truly happy for Coach Mallory and his LN Wildcats. As most of you know, Coach Mal has quite the connection to CG.  One awesome coach and an even better man!!  

[WarrenGrad12]

8 hours ago, BTF said:

I certainly get your point, but I'm going to remain stubborn. This is looking like a three horse race, which might be unfair to Crown Point. Cathedral might have something to say, I just have a hard time overlooking their loss to Brownsburg by three scores. Which begs the question: Is LN rolling CG more impressive than Brownsburg rolling Cathedral?

I still wouldn’t count out Warren and here’s why: it’s not necessarily about their ability to beat LN because LN is going to have a tough road before a potential rematch. The question is: would Warren be able to beat Center Grove and that’s a good question. I don’t know but I think it’s a better shot than if they played LN again. 
 

Many times the team you think is going to go through gets beat and it opens things up greatly. Warren’s offense looked much much better last night with a different QB both passing and rushing. We shall see.

[temptation]

20 minutes ago, WarrenGrad12 said:

I still wouldn’t count out Warren and here’s why: it’s not necessarily about their ability to beat LN because LN is going to have a tough road before a potential rematch. The question is: would Warren be able to beat Center Grove and that’s a good question. I don’t know but I think it’s a better shot than if they played LN again. 
 

Many times the team you think is going to go through gets beat and it opens things up greatly. Warren’s offense looked much much better last night with a different QB both passing and rushing. We shall see.

Welcome back!  Was worried about you after last week.

9 hours ago, BTF said:

I certainly get your point, but I'm going to remain stubborn. This is looking like a three horse race, which might be unfair to Crown Point. Cathedral might have something to say, I just have a hard time overlooking their loss to Brownsburg by three scores. Which begs the question: Is LN rolling CG more impressive than Brownsburg rolling Cathedral?

Yes, because of WHEN it happened.  Teams are what they are now from an identify standpoint.

9 hours ago, BDGiant93 said:

This is going to be a whale of an interesting playoffs this year.

BD rising from the ashes after we both had em dead to rights…

They will have some momentum heading into the postseason and have the opportunity to do something hilarious…again.

Edited October 12, 2024 by temptation