5A State Championship: #4 Decatur Central (10-2) vs. #10 Warsaw (10-3)

[Yuccaguy]

Anyone want to post a score and the situation?

[BTF]

44 minutes ago, Yuccaguy said:

Anyone want to post a score and the situation?

Final: Decatur Central 38, Warsaw 24

[roaringthunderdlr]

I really hope this is the ultimate motivator for Plainfield’s program and team. Seeing your arch rivals win it all. I’m a Quaker until I die. Congrats to DC but man is it painful. Especially after DC’s unsportsmanlike antics in the first game.

Edited December 1, 2024 by roaringthunderdlr

[temptation]

On 11/26/2024 at 10:13 PM, Komets2727 said:

Warsaw is on a roll, I just don’t see Decatur Central stopping them. Warsaw 31 - Decatur Central 21

Man…love these receipts.

You called Crown Point though so I’ll cut ya some slack.

@BTF on the other hand…

 

Edited December 1, 2024 by temptation

[BTF]

1 hour ago, temptation said:

Man…love these receipts.

You called Crown Point though so I’ll cut ya some slack.

@BTF on the other hand…

 

He wasn't far off on the Warsaw game. The Tigers moved the ball at will when they weren't turning it over. What no one saw coming was Warsaw's inability to make tackles. That's what made DC the better team. 

You're going to be really pissed when you see where I have Crown Point ranked.

[temptation]

1 hour ago, BTF said:

He wasn't far off on the Warsaw game. The Tigers moved the ball at will when they weren't turning it over. What no one saw coming was Warsaw's inability to make tackles. That's what made DC the better team. 

You're going to be really pissed when you see where I have Crown Point ranked.

Nah, I won’t.  Your track record suggests you will not only admit you were not wrong, you’ll double down instead.

Anyone who has Crown Point even sniffing the top 5 is delusional.

Hell, I was torn between whether or not to put Fishers/HSE in front of em.  They both gave Westfield better games (Fishers the second go around) than Crown Point did.

Edited December 1, 2024 by temptation

[Boilernation]

14 minutes ago, temptation said:

Nah, I won’t.  Your track record suggests you will not only admit you were not wrong, you’ll double down instead.

Anyone who has Crown Point even sniffing the top 5 is delusional.

Hell, I was torn between whether or not to put Fishers/HSE in front of em.  They both gave Westfield better games (Fishers the second go around) than Crown Point did.

Brownsburg beat Westfield by 30 last year and Westfield still managed to win out in the HCC. The MOV from one independent game is a meaningless.

[temptation]

13 minutes ago, Boilernation said:

Brownsburg beat Westfield by 30 last year and Westfield still managed to win out in the HCC. The MOV from one independent game is a meaningless.

How would you handicap a potential Crown Point (SOS at #41 and the only reason it cracked the top 50 is because of the matchup against Westfield) matchup with HSE/Fishers?

[Boilernation]

24 minutes ago, temptation said:

How would you handicap a potential Crown Point (SOS at #41 and the only reason it cracked the top 50 is because of the matchup against Westfield) matchup with HSE/Fishers?

I would put tape on and break down their strengths and weaknesses and how each team matches up against each other. But, I’m not paid to do that, nor would I be the best at it. 

[BTF]

1 hour ago, Boilernation said:

Brownsburg beat Westfield by 30 last year and Westfield still managed to win out in the HCC. The MOV from one independent game is a meaningless.

Well said.

[BTF]

2 hours ago, temptation said:

Your track record suggests you will not only admit you were not wrong, you’ll double down instead.

Give me more to work with here. 

[Komets2727]

22 hours ago, temptation said:

Man…love these receipts.

You called Crown Point though so I’ll cut ya some slack.

@BTF on the other hand…

 

I would say most of my predictions are accurate, but I for sure missed on some to. 

[Olympian06]

10 hours ago, Komets2727 said:

I would say most of my predictions are accurate, but I for sure missed on some to. 

5A and 4A title games for sure. 

[Komets2727]

12 minutes ago, Olympian06 said:

5A and 4A title games for sure. 

It was wishful thinking for sure

[Olympian06]

46 minutes ago, Komets2727 said:

It was wishful thinking for sure

Haha happens to the best of us. If I could predict games at a high percentage I’d be making a killing on Fanduel 😂

[Komets2727]

1 hour ago, Olympian06 said:

Haha happens to the best of us. If I could predict games at a high percentage I’d be making a killing on Fanduel 😂

Funny thing is I don’t bet even though I probably should. When I dont have a rooting interest, I do pretty well

[BTF]

10 hours ago, Komets2727 said:

It was wishful thinking for sure

Don't sell yourself short on 5A. You never would have predicted Warsaw turning the ball over five times. What surprised me in that game was how bad both defenses were. It was one of those games where the team with the least amount of mistakes was going to win the game. 

[Komets2727]

1 hour ago, BTF said:

Don't sell yourself short on 5A. You never would have predicted Warsaw turning the ball over five times. What surprised me in that game was how bad both defenses were. It was one of those games where the team with the least amount of mistakes was going to win the game. 

Warsaw turning the ball over 5 times was really bad and was the difference in the game. DC was exactly who I thought they were and they did take advantage of Warsaw’s generosity. 

[FastpacedO]

When it comes to mention of turnovers couldn't it also be true that the opposing team forced those turnovers? 

A team can offset yardage given up by forcing 5 turnovers. In this game I feel like Decatur Central did a good job of getting the lead and not allowing Warsaw to take the lead where they could play keep away. I felt coming into this game the Hawks had to make their possessions count so Warsaw couldn't get a lead and play keep away with the clock. This is imperative when you play a ball control team, if you take away the ability for them to have a lead and bleed clock limiting possessions you have a solid shot at winning the game. Fall behind and it puts a lot of pressure on your defense to get a stop.

I think they did a solid job of that. 10 possessions 5 resulted in TD's, 1 resulted in a FG, 2 resulted in missed FG's, 1 was a kneel down to end the half, and 1 was an Int in the endzone (ill advised throwing into double coverage). 

[temptation]

18 minutes ago, FastpacedO said:

When it comes to mention of turnovers couldn't it also be true that the opposing team forced those turnovers? 

A team can offset yardage given up by forcing 5 turnovers. In this game I feel like Decatur Central did a good job of getting the lead and not allowing Warsaw to take the lead where they could play keep away. I felt coming into this game the Hawks had to make their possessions count so Warsaw couldn't get a lead and play keep away with the clock. This is imperative when you play a ball control team, if you take away the ability for them to have a lead and bleed clock limiting possessions you have a solid shot at winning the game. Fall behind and it puts a lot of pressure on your defense to get a stop.

I think they did a solid job of that. 10 possessions 5 resulted in TD's, 1 resulted in a FG, 2 resulted in missed FG's, 1 was a kneel down to end the half, and 1 was an Int in the endzone (ill advised throwing into double coverage). 

Yep.  Goes both ways, just like weather.

Edited December 3, 2024 by temptation

[BTF]

34 minutes ago, FastpacedO said:

When it comes to mention of turnovers couldn't it also be true that the opposing team forced those turnovers? 

It really just just depends on the which team you're rooting for. For 90% of us, when your team turns the ball over, it's because you did a lousy job of protecting it. If you're team is on the receiving end of the turnovers, it's because the defense forced them. Human nature at work. Ten percent of us are in that category that says, look, the better team put more points on the board, plain and simple. No matter how you look at it, Decatur Central is your state champ. The better team won. All I'm saying, is that predicting Warsaw to win wasn't "wishfull thinking." I mean damn, the Tigers rushed for 337 yards on 7.3 yards per carry. It's not like they were "outmatched."

There's too much petty talk on this board about how the North stinks. For those of you who use Sagarin to support your opinions, they have 3 of the top 4 teams in 5A coming from the North. And 4 of the top 6. 

[temptation]

28 minutes ago, BTF said:

It really just just depends on the which team you're rooting for. For 90% of us, when your team turns the ball over, it's because you did a lousy job of protecting it. If you're team is on the receiving end of the turnovers, it's because the defense forced them. Human nature at work. Ten percent of us are in that category that says, look, the better team put more points on the board, plain and simple. No matter how you look at it, Decatur Central is your state champ. The better team won. All I'm saying, is that predicting Warsaw to win wasn't "wishfull thinking." I mean damn, the Tigers rushed for 337 yards on 7.3 yards per carry. It's not like they were "outmatched."

There's too much petty talk on this board about how the North stinks. For those of you who use Sagarin to support your opinions, they have 3 of the top 4 teams in 5A coming from the North. And 4 of the top 6. 

Keep hanging on.  Love your dedication.

In just two weeks we have gone from “Crown Point is going to win 6A” to “at least the north has 3 of the best 4 teams in 5A.”

Can’t wait to see where the goalposts are moved next. 

Edited December 3, 2024 by temptation

[NLCTigerFan07]

Obviously I'm biased in this conversation - but from my perspective both things can be true.

1. Decatur Central, outside of the INT in the endzone, played a near perfect game. They made next to zero mistakes, and when a team plays like that against Warsaw (or any other team playing a similiar style of offense), that will bode well for their chances. That's also the MAJOR difference between Decatur Central and Concord, Lafayette Jeff, and Merrillville. All three of those teams scored on big plays on offense, much like Decatur Central. However, all three also made crucial mistakes via turnover or penalty at inopportune times, and the Tigers took advantage of those mistake. Decatur Central did not.

2. Take away just two of the Warsaw fumbles, and it is a different ball game. Yes, looking at the scoreboard, Decatur Central was basically always in control of the game, but Warsaw was still in it midway through the 4th Quarter. Two of the Warsaw fumbles came on plays IMMEDIATELY after long runs busted off by the Tigers. Obviously, if wishes and buts were candy and nuts, we'd all have a Merry Christmas, but it's not out of the realm of possibility Warsaw doesn't fumble those balls and extend their drives and end them with points... they're right there.

100% - the better team on Saturday night won the game. ALL CREDIT to the Decatur Central coaching staff and team. They executed a great game plan and played extremely clean. The Tigers on the other hand, did not. But having watched every Warsaw game in the tournament, the Hawks did not necessarily have a bunch better Jimmys and Joes than Concord, Lafayette Jeff, Merrillville. However, they played a million times better than each of those teams, and thus why they walked away with blue ribbons. Congratulations Hawks!

Edited December 3, 2024 by NLCTigerFan07

[BTF]

11 minutes ago, temptation said:

Keep hanging on.  Love your dedication.

In just two weeks we have gone from “Crown Point is going to win 6A” to “at least the north has 3 of the best 4 teams in 5A.”

Can’t wait to see where the goalposts are moved next. 

I love it. You absolutely hate it when I'm right. Give me some substance that proves I'm wrong. Not "keep hanging on, love your dedication." 

I don't recall saying the words "at least." Do you work for CNN? I said, "for those of you who use Sagarin to support your opinions." 

"Crown Point is going to win 6A," was a bit of hyperbole. One of my notorious, bold, "wishful thinking," predictions. I'm here to tell you right now that I was wrong. I still think they are the 5th best team in the state, so sit and spin on that if you want. 

Love ya Temp, keep throwing material my way. Can't wait for the day you @Rodney and I have a beer together. 

 

Edited December 3, 2024 by BTF

[BTF]

4 minutes ago, NLCTigerFan07 said:

Obviously I'm biased in this conversation - but from my perspective both things can be true.

1. Decatur Central, outside of the INT in the endzone, played a near perfect game. They made next to zero mistakes, and when a team plays like that against Warsaw (or any other team playing a similiar style of offense), that will bode well for their chances. That's also the MAJOR difference between Decatur Central and Concord, Lafayette Jeff, and Merrillville. All three of those teams scored on big plays on offense, much like Decatur Central. However, all three also made crucial mistakes via turnover or penalty at inopportune times, and the Tigers took advantage of those mistake. Decatur Central did not.

2. Take away just two of the Warsaw fumbles, and it is a different ball game. Yes, looking at the scoreboard, Decatur Central was basically always in control of the game, but Warsaw was still in it midway through the 4th Quarter. Two of the Warsaw fumbles came on plays IMMEDIATELY after long runs busted off by the Tigers. Obviously, if wishes and buts were candy and nuts, we'd all have a Merry Christmas, but it's not out of the realm of possibility Warsaw doesn't fumble those balls and extend their drives and end them with points... they're right there.

100% - the better team on Saturday night won the game. ALL CREDIT to the Decatur Central coaching staff and team. They executed a great game plan and played extremely clean. The Tigers on the other hand, did not. But having watched every Warsaw game in the tournament, the Hawks did not necessarily have a bunch better Jimmys and Joes than Concord, Lafayette Jeff, Merrillville. However, they played a million times better than each of those teams, and thus why they walked away with blue ribbons. Congratulations Hawks!

Couldn't have said that better myself. Good stuff, agree 100%. And if I didn't say it already, congrats to Decatur Central, the best team in 5A. They earned it.