SIAC 2025

[tango]

51 minutes ago, JQWL said:

How big of a factor do you think the style of offense was in the interview process? Lewis ran the flexbone. Ahrens/Brewer ran the Power I/Pro style stuff. Do you think the people interviewing or fans wanted something specific?

I don't have a large sample size, but the handful of buddies/clients I have in Jasper had pretty much had enough of the ground/pound stuff in recent years. Given the way football has progressed to a more passing / open / spread type of game at the college and NFL levels, I think kids would prefer to be a part of that - more people involved. I refuse to believe that Jasper doesn't have kids roaming the halls who could be solid QBs, WRs, etc. In fact, after leaving Jasper after halftime last year and listening to the Jasper radio crew on the ride home, they were pretty much saying the same thing. 

Jasper should be a tournament force in 4A football. Only 3 Sectional titles in the last 20 years is a pretty abysmal considering all they have - exceptional facilities, plenty of numbers, and great community support. The ingredients are all there. It will be interesting to see how Coach Hart does. 

[wildcatfan]

36 minutes ago, tango said:

I don't have a large sample size, but the handful of buddies/clients I have in Jasper had pretty much had enough of the ground/pound stuff in recent years. Given the way football has progressed to a more passing / open / spread type of game at the college and NFL levels, I think kids would prefer to be a part of that - more people involved. I refuse to believe that Jasper doesn't have kids roaming the halls who could be solid QBs, WRs, etc. In fact, after leaving Jasper after halftime last year and listening to the Jasper radio crew on the ride home, they were pretty much saying the same thing. 

Jasper should be a tournament force in 4A football. Only 3 Sectional titles in the last 20 years is a pretty abysmal considering all they have - exceptional facilities, plenty of numbers, and great community support. The ingredients are all there. It will be interesting to see how Coach Hart does. 

This is a good assessment on the pulse of the fan base. Ground and pound is a thing of the past and an offensive evolution needed to happen. Was it a determining factor in the hire like asked in a previous comment, don't know. If we were going to be able to hang with the SIAC teams, we needed to move towards more passing and less running the ball. Now the talent may not have been on the teams in the past to move more towards a spread, as I believe Lewis tried in his first season but that was quickly scrapped.

You are also correct that the infrastructure is there to be very successful and at least compete for yearly sectionals and go on deep runs periodically. The new football facility is beautiful and very well done. Been several years since I have been in the weight room since my playing days, but it was very well done and had all of the equipment needed. I am sure things have been added / updated since then.

It will be interesting what Coach can do. Was his North Central record a product of their schedule or did they just not have the talent? Or will we get more of the results from his Illinois time. If he has that type of success within a 4 year stretch, he'll have all the community support he needs and fans will be happy.

Edited January 23, 2025 by wildcatfan

[TigerFan20]

14 minutes ago, wildcatfan said:

Was his North Central record a product of their schedule or did they just not have the talent?

From my understanding, North Central has been in a rebuild mood after 2020. O’Shea did have some success between 2018-2020 with winning a sectional championship. I believe North Central is like 1-40 overall in the last 4 years.

Here is there past seasons over the last 30 years:

http://indianahsfootball.homestead.com/logs/NorthCentralIndianapolis.htm#load

[Titan32]

15 hours ago, wildcatfan said:

 

 

Derek Hart

he he

[TigerFan20]

2 minutes ago, Titan32 said:

he he

Gibson Southern vs Jasper non-conference game in 2026? Everyone loves a good old sibling rivalry!

[Titan32]

The "talent" conversation here is rubbish.  Look for Derick to run things that look a lot like John and Nick.  We do just fine here in the middle of the cornfield with very little talent and smaller enrollment in that style of offense.  Jasper made a fantastic move and now they have two Hart kids in the building.  This will definitely challenge the great coaching minds in the SIAC.

2 minutes ago, TigerFan20 said:

Gibson Southern vs Jasper non-conference game in 2026? Everyone loves a good old sibling rivalry!

My guess is the AD will push for Heritage Hills....they really need to dump a couple of the small school teams anyway.

[wildcatfan]

5 minutes ago, TigerFan20 said:

Gibson Southern vs Jasper non-conference game in 2026? Everyone loves a good old sibling rivalry!

You're more likely to see Jasper pick up Southridge if an opening on the schedule comes free. Heritage Hills would be second I'd imagine.

[Titan32]

Just now, wildcatfan said:

You're more likely to see Jasper pick up Southridge if an opening on the schedule comes free. Heritage Hills would be second I'd imagine.

I'll agree to that.....with the SIAC having at least one opening after the departure of Vincennes and the change at Jasper...things just got much more interesting in the area.

[Titan32]

Also...I will add that I don't think Jasper has made any official announcement on who their next coach will be for the record.

[wildcatfan]

Just now, Titan32 said:

Also...I will add that I don't think Jasper has made any official announcement on who their next coach will be for the record.

They have not, but if you know where to look you can find this info. I'd expect the announcement by the end of the month.

[Titan32]

I am guessing we will see Jasper at the Brownsburg team camp this year....I will definitely make the trip.

[TigerFan20]

Derek Hart announced he resigned from North Central to head to a new coaching position outside Central Indiana, which is pretty obvious now where he is headed too.

Edited January 23, 2025 by TigerFan20

[Titan32]

2 hours ago, TigerFan20 said:

Derek Hart announced he resigned from North Central to head to a new coaching position outside Central Indiana, which is pretty obvious now where he is headed too.

I'm guessing our Wildcat friend took a peek at board meeting minutes.

[TigerFan20]

15 minutes ago, Titan32 said:

I'm guessing our Wildcat friend took a peek at board meeting minutes.

Yup, I wonder who else applied for the position.

[Titan32]

20 minutes ago, TigerFan20 said:

Yup, I wonder who else applied for the position.

I'm guessing some great candidates....but this is an amazing hire that makes so much sense.  Slam dunk if you ask me....I can't wait to see him tear the SIAC a new sphincter.  I hope he was able to bring some guys along familiar with what he does in terms of staff.

[TigerFan20]

1 hour ago, Titan32 said:

I'm guessing some great candidates....but this is an amazing hire that makes so much sense.  Slam dunk if you ask me....I can't wait to see him tear the SIAC a new sphincter.  I hope he was able to bring some guys along familiar with what he does in terms of staff.

I think it’s a great hire for Jasper, turned around Kankakee pretty quickly in the his 4 years there. Seems like NC is tough job right now from looks of it. I’m excited to see what he can do with Jasper and their resources, they seem to be a sleeping giant that needs to be awaken. I always thought Jasper’s passing game was slightly underrated, I believed they averaged around 10.0 yards per catch last season. I’ll be intrigued how Derek will utilize the passing game.

[Titan32]

14 hours ago, TigerFan20 said:

I think it’s a great hire for Jasper, turned around Kankakee pretty quickly in the his 4 years there. Seems like NC is tough job right now from looks of it. I’m excited to see what he can do with Jasper and their resources, they seem to be a sleeping giant that needs to be awaken. I always thought Jasper’s passing game was slightly underrated, I believed they averaged around 10.0 yards per catch last season. I’ll be intrigued how Derek will utilize the passing game.

Let's frame it like this...if Memorial and Gibson Southern and Mater Dei can throw it around year after year....Jasper won't have an issue.  To read this thread one would think the Jasper kids have some genetic defect that won't allow them to throw or catch a football.  NC isn't like coaching at an Indiana P&P let's put it that way.

[oldtimeqb]

On 1/23/2025 at 10:25 AM, Titan32 said:

I'll agree to that.....with the SIAC having at least one opening after the departure of Vincennes and the change at Jasper...things just got much more interesting in the area.

As if you needed a reason to be obsessed with the SIAC. 😀

[Titan32]

16 minutes ago, oldtimeqb said:

As if you needed a reason to be obsessed with the SIAC. 😀

The Soft Indiana Athletic Conference?  Nah  LOL

[tango]

1 hour ago, Titan32 said:

To read this thread one would think the Jasper kids have some genetic defect that won't allow them to throw or catch a football.  NC isn't like coaching at an Indiana P&P let's put it that way.

I don't see that being implied at all. Jasper has lots of athletes in that building, just not all of them played football. Or so I was told.  

[jets]

Just as Gibson was for a number of years - Jasper is/has been the "sleeping giant" in terms of football (great socioeconomic culture, great people/resources, pricey housing (see socioeconomics) , etc...

In a weird twist of fate - it was Nick Hart that brought Gibson into the limelight - and Jasper appears to be going with (younger? older?) brother Derrick to resurrect their program. 

 

[TigerFan20]

Derek Hart has been officially hired by Jasper as their next HC. It will be interesting to see what Offensive schemes he will implement with the Wildcats this season.

[Titan32]

4 minutes ago, TigerFan20 said:

Derek Hart has been officially hired by Jasper as their next HC. It will be interesting to see what Offensive schemes he will implement with the Wildcats this season.

https://www.courierpress.com/story/sports/high-school/2025/01/27/ihsaa-football-derek-hart-chosen-as-next-coach-at-jasper-high-school/77905854007/

[combthehair]

I love this hire especially seeing the success that his brother has had at GS. There will be an adjustment period and I’d think it won’t be until summer until the kids can start learning a new system. I’m interested to see who stays and who leaves from the previous coaches. Some coaches left when Lewis was hired. 
 

As far as Jasper talent goes, I’m interested to see how it shakes out. I don’t see many if any kids not playing because of play style. We had Matt Mauck as a qb and still ran the same run plays 875 times.  But I could be wrong.  I’m excited for a new era! 

On 1/24/2025 at 11:34 AM, Titan32 said:

Let's frame it like this...if Memorial and Gibson Southern and Mater Dei can throw it around year after year....Jasper won't have an issue.  To read this thread one would think the Jasper kids have some genetic defect that won't allow them to throw or catch a football.  NC isn't like coaching at an Indiana P&P let's put it that way.

Too much Budweiser in the dna. Makes ya fat and slow. 

[TigerFan20]

I think North is getting new turf this summer, I remembered one of the local news channels mentioned it last year. Since, Bosse was getting new turf last summer and it sounded like North was up after Bosse.