Schedule Upgrades

[Bobref]

This topic is devoted to those schools who have taken steps to upgrade their schedules, creating some “measuring stick” games. Those schools deserve credit, and this is th3 place to acknowledge them.

Big one coming to mind is Merrillville replacing 4A Hobart in Week 2 with 3 time defending 8A Illinois state champ Loyola Academy of Wilmette. A major, major upgrade.

[whiteshoes]

13 hours ago, Bobref said:

This topic is devoted to those schools who have taken steps to upgrade their schedules, creating some “measuring stick” games. Those schools deserve credit, and this is th3 place to acknowledge them.

Big one coming to mind is Merrillville replacing 4A Hobart in Week 2 with 3 time defending 8A Illinois state champ Loyola Academy of Wilmette. A major, major upgrade.

That's an upgrade!!

[adambetz]

For some reason (probably just because no one else really had an opening week 3), my Giants will be travelling to Center Grove. Coach Chambers has tasted the most recent success for the Marion program so he might feel like we're on the way up. Will be interesting to see if CG makes the return trip or if this is just a one year thing. Giants replaced the other hole in their schedule left by Harrison and McCutcheon with one of the Tippy County schools' future conference mates, a surging Lebanon program. 

I just hope we still have a team after week 3 next year lol

[Donnie Baker]

15 hours ago, Bobref said:

This topic is devoted to those schools who have taken steps to upgrade their schedules, creating some “measuring stick” games. Those schools deserve credit, and this is th3 place to acknowledge them.

Big one coming to mind is Merrillville replacing 4A Hobart in Week 2 with 3 time defending 8A Illinois state champ Loyola Academy of Wilmette. A major, major upgrade.

That boy named Cody says it’s a 2 score game 

[adambetz]

19 minutes ago, Donnie Baker said:

That boy named Cody says it’s a 2 score game 

He's got Merrillville by 21

[US31]

As a former "North" player....Glad to see more and more HCC/MIC* vs "True North" 6A non con games.  I think this is an overall plus for Indiana football.  Off the top of my head...

• CP vs Pike
• FWC vs HSE & CG
• Homestead vs Westfield & Noblesville (Carmel last year)
• Snider vs WC last two years but nothing this year?
• (I'm not including now 5A Warsaw - Playing WC)

Why not similar scheduling from....

• Penn: Played Cathedral (I know not MIC or HCC) multiple times recently but nothing this year?  None of the out of state powers they have played recenlty either??
• Elkhart????

I don't want to sound like I'm bashing here, but I am generally curious.  Their schedules are full of 5A, 4A, and even 3A schools.  In fact it looks like the only 6A games for either are each other.  I know their conference limits them but is this the reason they are viewed as second tier to the first 4 programs?  Would Brownsburg have preferred to play a Penn or Elkhart over Jeffersonville? Would Carmel have preffered to restart a Penn rivalry over Centerville (OH)? Would LC prefer to play up North as opposed to Edwardsville (Ill)? Cathedral has 3-4 out of state games per year, would they prefer an Indiana opponent? (Honestly don't know). 

Edited February 4 by US31

[Sparty]

2 minutes ago, US31 said:

As a former "North" player....Glad to see more and more HCC/MIC* vs "True North" 6A non con games.  I think this is an overall plus for Indiana football.  Off the top of my head...

• CP vs Pike
• FWC vs HSE & CG
• Homestead vs Westfield & Noblesville (Carmel last year)
• Snider vs WC last two years but nothing this year?
• (I'm not including now 5A Warsaw - Playing WC)

Why not similar scheduling from....

• Penn: Played Cathedral (I know not MIC or HCC) multiple times recently but nothing this year?  None of the out of state powers they have played recenlty either??
• Elkhart????

I don't want to sound like I'm bashing here, but I am generally curious.  Their schedules are full of 5A, 4A, and even 3A schools.  In fact it looks like the only 6A games for either are each other.  I know their conference limits them but is this the reason they are viewed as second tier to the first 4 programs?  Would Brownsburg have preferred to play a Penn or Elkhart over Jeffersonville? Would Carmel have preffered to restart a Penn rivalry over Centerville (OH)? Would LC prefer to play up North as opposed to Edwardsville (Ill)? Cathedral has 3-4 out of state games per year, would they prefer an Indiana opponent? (Honestly don't know). 

How many north teams are going to help prepare those southern teams you mention?  There are only so many open weeks to be filled.  
 

 

[US31]

2 minutes ago, Sparty said:

How many north teams are going to help prepare those southern teams you mention?  There are only so many open weeks to be filled.  
 

 

Valid point.

My thought is at some point the trade off of that competition vs travel time might be part of the calculus for the Indy Metro teams.  Especially the number of non-con games some metro teams have available.   I know it may be more attractive for HCC/MIC* schools to play each other due to proximity....but thats not who everyone is picking up for non-con games...several out of state match ups amongst these teams.

• MIC schools have 3 or 4 (?) non con slots
• HCC schools have 2
• Carmel, CG, Cathedral have more given current lack of membership

Again, its something I'm curious about...not something I'm trying to claim is right or wrong.

[WWFan]

Current 1A Champs Providence have added 5A New Albany, 2A Ritter and 2A Indy Scecina. Replacing Christian Academy of Tenn, Madison, and Milan. Still have what appears to be couple openings on Harrells 

Edited February 4 by WWFan

[Muda69]

Here is a powerhouse schedule for a supposed "4A" school:

 

[Daniel_Bragg]

Sheridan replaced Western Boone and North Miami, with South Adams and Alexandria.  Not necessarily saying this is a huge upgrade, but certainly the South Adams game makes more sense than the annual "Nobody Cares" matchup between Sheridan and WeBo.

[adambetz]

2 minutes ago, Muda69 said:

Here is a powerhouse schedule for a supposed "4A" school:

 

Still might go 0-9 sadly.

[Daniel_Bragg]

2 minutes ago, Muda69 said:

Here is a powerhouse schedule for a supposed "4A" school:

 

Yeesh

[adambetz]

Just now, Daniel_Bragg said:

Sheridan replaced Western Boone and North Miami, with South Adams and Alexandria.  Not necessarily saying this is a huge upgrade, but certainly the South Adams game makes more sense than the annual "Nobody Cares" matchup between Sheridan and WeBo.

Love how teams like Sheridan and South Adams will play anyone anywhere.

[adambetz]

I see Linton has three weeks open on Harrell. Weeks 1, 3 and 6.

The best instate option for week one would be Greenwood Christian. Disappointing, but should be better than Phalen Academy.

The fun options come in weeks 3 and 6. Indy Lutheran has an opening in week 3 and a solid Wheeler squad is the best possible matchup in week 6.

Anyone know who they are actually going to pick up? I figure they'll probably cross state lines sometime at least once.

[adambetz]

16 minutes ago, adambetz said:

I see Linton has three weeks open on Harrell. Weeks 1, 3 and 6.

The best instate option for week one would be Greenwood Christian. Disappointing, but should be better than Phalen Academy.

The fun options come in weeks 3 and 6. Indy Lutheran has an opening in week 3 and a solid Wheeler squad is the best possible matchup in week 6.

Anyone know who they are actually going to pick up? I figure they'll probably cross state lines sometime at least once.

Won't let me edit anymore but I did some digging through the incomplete schedules and I think that Taylor might also be an option for week 1.

[Muda69]

39 minutes ago, adambetz said:

Still might go 0-9 sadly.

Most likely.  The former head coach recently turned in his resignation as a teacher in the school corporation, and I have heard zero concerning the hiring of a new head coach.  Who would really want this job?

[Sparty]

1 hour ago, Muda69 said:

Here is a powerhouse schedule for a supposed "4A" school:

 

They are in need of a coach.  Go apply and wow them with your vast football prowess. 

[1st_and_10]

Webo has replaced Sheridan and Western and picked up Lebanon and Tri-West for Weeks 1 & 2 Non-Conference schedule.

Edited February 4 by 1st_and_10

[Muda69]

2 minutes ago, Sparty said:

They are in need of a coach.  Go apply and wow them with your vast football prowess. 

I'm too old for that crap.   A youngling like yourself would do a bang up job:  https://www.applitrack.com/wabash/onlineapp/default.aspx?AppliTrackPostingSearch=location:"Frankfort+High+School"

[vicvinegar]

58 minutes ago, Muda69 said:

Most likely.  The former head coach recently turned in his resignation as a teacher in the school corporation, and I have heard zero concerning the hiring of a new head coach.  Who would really want this job?

I tried to apply. I was told they already had their guy, just waiting for board approval. 

[foxbat]

37 minutes ago, 1st_and_10 said:

Webo has replaced Sheridan and Western and picked up Lebanon and Tri-West for Weeks 1 & 2 Non-Conference schedule.

Tri-West is a nice "tool sharpening" program for just about any class and even for JV/freshman levels.  They always bring a serious game with them. 

[WCGrad92]

Monrovia had to rehaul the schedule a bit due to Conference changes,  with only 6 teams in conferece for 2025/2026, we need to more out of conference games.

 

Out of conference games for Monrovia are Cascade, Linton, Kokomo and Bedford North Lawrence,  to go with Conference Opponents,  Beech Grove, Speedway, Triton Central, Indian Creek and Tri-West

 

[Muda69]

9 hours ago, WCGrad92 said:

Monrovia had to rehaul the schedule a bit due to Conference changes,  with only 6 teams in conferece for 2025/2026, we need to more out of conference games.

 

Out of conference games for Monrovia are Cascade, Linton, Kokomo and Bedford North Lawrence,  to go with Conference Opponents,  Beech Grove, Speedway, Triton Central, Indian Creek and Tri-West

 

Go Wildkats.

 

[Titan32]

 

Gibson Southern has been going out for big-time competition for several years now.  Coach Hart has proven he will play anyone anywhere.

This year's addition of Rochester IL shows to be another one of these matchups.

• Rochester has won state championships in 2010–2011, 2011–2012, 2012–2013, 2013–2014, 2014–2015, 2016–2017, 2017–2018, 2019–2020, and 2023–2024.
• The Rochester Rockets football team won their ninth state title in 2023, beating St. Laurence 59-38 in the Class 4A state championship game.