5A Tournament: OFFICIAL Thread

[23andCounting]

2 hours ago, temptation said:

C’mon.  Lawrence North has the #1 WR/RB combo in the state (yeah I said it).

LC took care of the ‘Cats which probably aided DC but coming into the season, LN was nearly a unanimous pick to win the sectional and was viewed as a program on the rise.

Any result this Friday doesn’t change DC’s perception one bit.

(For the record, I like Brownsburg big.)

Northrop was loaded with athletes too. Didn't exactly make them a great team. 

Not sure what "was" and "was" has to do with now. 

Decatur Central is a very good program and are having a great season. They're the smallest school in 6A. I agree that Friday nights outcome will not change their perception. They're as good as anyone in their weight class. Kudos to them. 

[23andCounting]

23 minutes ago, temptation said:

After last year, I absolutely do.

Do you put Brownsburg on par with CG, Carmel, Warren and BD yet?

Apples to oranges. Brownsburg won a 6A state title. Decatur Central beat Warsaw. 

I think DC has a very good program, but I see where @Komets2727 is coming from. 

I have a lot of respect for Enright and his 76% winning percentage, but the schedule year in and year out isn't exactly one of the strongest in the state. Kind of like Penn and Snider having the best records going back 40 years, right? Strength of schedule? Right now my biggest qualm with DC is that when they go down in the tournament, they go down big. I personally have them right there with Merrillville. And that's not a slight by any means. 

[temptation]

17 minutes ago, 23andCounting said:

Northrop was loaded with athletes too. Didn't exactly make them a great team. 

Not sure what "was" and "was" has to do with now. 

Decatur Central is a very good program and are having a great season. They're the smallest school in 6A. I agree that Friday nights outcome will not change their perception. They're as good as anyone in their weight class. Kudos to them. 

I like the Northrop comparison actually.

Two teams with obvious athletes and severely flawed that weren’t known for gridiron success prior to recently.

[23andCounting]

And for the record, I was rooting for either Merrillville or Decatur Central to win state last year. Both deserving programs.

[23andCounting]

3 minutes ago, temptation said:

I like the Northrop comparison actually.

Two teams with obvious athletes and severely flawed that weren’t known for gridiron success prior to recently.

Let's just say that Northrop has a LONG way to go. I just hope they don't continue taking everyone else's football players in the process. Recruit at the middle school level and leave it at that. 

[Komets2727]

39 minutes ago, temptation said:

After last year, I absolutely do.

Do you put Brownsburg on par with CG, Carmel, Warren and BD yet?

No, another 5-10 years for Brownsburg doing what they are doing and the answer changes to yes

Edited November 10, 2025 by Komets2727

[temptation]

12 hours ago, Komets2727 said:

No, another 5-10 years for Brownsburg doing what they are doing and the answer changes to yes

I can respect that.

[temptation]

Temp goes 6/8 on sectional winners.  Sorry East Central.

[Justasportsfan]

I can see that Concord did what they needed against the legends, dont really see them moving past regionals though. That RB for the minutemen though, if someone wants to see what a 4.5 40 looks like in high school, watch the tape.

[crimsonace1]

OK, back to 5A
Here's this week's regional matchups. Should be four pretty intriguing games. Seven of the eight remaining teams are ranked in the Top 10 (and the three Top 10 teams that got knocked out were both eliminated by other Top 10 teams - No. 10/10 Plainfield and No. 2/2 Cathedral both lost to New Palestine; while No. 8/7 Whiteland lost to East Central). 

(5/5) Merrillville (9-2) at Michigan City (8-3)

(4/4) Lafayette Jeff (10-1) at (6/6) Concord (10-1)

(1/1) New Palestine (11-0) at (7/8) East Central (9-2)

(9/9) Floyd Central (10-1) at (3/3) Bloomington South (10-1)

[Rodney]

Hammond Morton Munster michigan city

 

What a route to get to semi state

[23andCounting]

18 minutes ago, crimsonace1 said:

OK, back to 5A
Here's this week's regional matchups. Should be four pretty intriguing games. Seven of the eight remaining teams are ranked in the Top 10 (and the three Top 10 teams that got knocked out were both eliminated by other Top 10 teams - No. 10/10 Plainfield and No. 2/2 Cathedral both lost to New Palestine; while No. 8/7 Whiteland lost to East Central). 

(5/5) Merrillville (9-2) at Michigan City (8-3)

(4/4) Lafayette Jeff (10-1) at (6/6) Concord (10-1)

(1/1) New Palestine (11-0) at (7/8) East Central (9-2)

(9/9) Floyd Central (10-1) at (3/3) Bloomington South (10-1)

Some pretty good games on tap.

I'm less impressed with Concord though. Either they're not as good as advertised or North Side is just better than what some give them credit for. 

East Central had impressive win over Whiteland, but if they can't beat Roncalli or Lawrence North, they're probably not beating New Pal. I think it's game over for them. 

 

[Justasportsfan]

33 minutes ago, 23andCounting said:

Some pretty good games on tap.

I'm less impressed with Concord though. Either they're not as good as advertised or North Side is just better than what some give them credit for. 

East Central had impressive win over Whiteland, but if they can't beat Roncalli or Lawrence North, they're probably not beating New Pal. I think it's game over for them. 

 

North put up a fight with that senior transfer qb, almost as if whoever had the ball last would win the game. I give the Legends plenty of shots on here yet they were a talented team that with the right coaching could have made some noise. The RB from concord put the game on ice late, the cutback was crazy, not ala reggie bush usc, it was a thing of beauty though.

Michigan City seems to have some mojo, their stadium and fan support are one of the best I had the pleasure of seeing this year. I think the wolves may slip past those pesky pirates..

And yes, yes, New Pal will have two thanksgiving feasts this year...i know..

[temptation]

Updated title odds, because I like punishment:

1.  New Palestine - 65%

2. Lafayette Jeff - 10%

3. East Central - 9%

4. Merrillville - 6%

5. Bloomington South - 4%

6. Concord - 3%

7. Michigan City - 2%

8. Floyd Central - 1%

[WestfieldRocks]

18 hours ago, Komets2727 said:

No, another 5-10 years for Brownsburg doing what they are doing and the answer changes to yes

Agree. Last year was Brownsburg's first state title since winning back to back (3A then 4A) in 1984-1985.

Westfield is on the cusp of this. A 5A title and one 5A runner up, then three 6A runners up in the last 12 years. If they could have won that second Center Grove and last year's Brownsburg game, almost pulling both out at the end, then they would be in the conversation for sure.

[Footballking16]

5 hours ago, temptation said:

Updated title odds, because I like punishment:

1.  New Palestine - 65%

2. Lafayette Jeff - 10%

3. East Central - 9%

4. Merrillville - 6%

5. Bloomington South - 4%

6. Concord - 3%

7. Michigan City - 2%

8. Floyd Central - 1%

New Pal only 65%? Implied odds on that is -185. That’s a car note bet right there. 

[23andCounting]

21 hours ago, temptation said:

Updated title odds, because I like punishment:

1.  New Palestine - 65%

2. Lafayette Jeff - 10%

3. East Central - 9%

4. Merrillville - 6%

5. Bloomington South - 4%

6. Concord - 3%

7. Michigan City - 2%

8. Floyd Central - 1%

You need help, let me fix it. 

1.   New Pal - 90%

2.  Jeff - 4%

3.  East Central - 3%

4.  Merrillville - 3 %

[Yuccaguy]

On 11/10/2025 at 1:32 PM, WestfieldRocks said:

Agree. Last year was Brownsburg's first state title since winning back to back (3A then 4A) in 1984-1985.

Westfield is on the cusp of this. A 5A title and one 5A runner up, then three 6A runners up in the last 12 years. If they could have won that second Center Grove and last year's Brownsburg game, almost pulling both out at the end, then they would be in the conversation for sure.

Even today, I feel sick for the Rocks in that 2021 6A game.  

Yes, it would have been a tough catch....but still 'catch-able' even when sliding.  Then an INT on the next play to seal it for CG. 

So close, yet so far.  

[SMAUG]

It has been 3 days shy of two years since the Dragons went to St Leon and took that beatdown - the last time they have lost.  49 points and EC had one passing attempt and it fell incomplete.  There are a lot of players tonight from both teams that were playing or on the sidelines in that game - does history repeat itself or do the Dragons avenge that loss?

Dragons -10

BTW - Cathedral’s defense was better than advertised and we all knew they were good to begin with.

 

[crimsonace1]

3 minutes ago, SMAUG said:

It has been 3 days shy of two years since the Dragons went to St Leon and took that beatdown - the last time they have lost.  49 points and EC had one passing attempt and it fell incomplete.  There are a lot of players tonight from both teams that were playing or on the sidelines in that game - does history repeat itself or do the Dragons avenge that loss?

Dragons -10

BTW - Cathedral’s defense was better than advertised and we all knew they were good to begin with.

 

Two extremely well-coached teams. Both have massive, talented lines on both sides of the ball. 

What EC's defense did to Whiteland last week was impressive - held them to 95 total yards, all on the ground, shut them out and had a 100-yard pick-6. Obviously, New Pal is a different animal than Whiteland - a much more multiple offense with a lot more weapons - but that was a big game for them. The thing about the Dragons is nobody has gaudy numbers, but a LOT of players are contributing. Four receivers with 12+ catches and 200+ yards, the two RBs have combined for 1,300 yards and Davis has also run for 700+ (while throwing for 1,400+). 

Key for NP is to get a lead and force EC to pass. NP's run defense has been stout - Cathedral had 71 rushing yards and largely abandoned the run after halftime last week - but Bellman has done a nice job taking over for Minges and EC's line is huge. EC has run for 200+ yards on almost everyone this year. But if the Dragons can get ahead, they can take the ball-control element away from the Trojans, who will want to limit possessions. 

Turnovers will be key. Both teams create a lot of turnovers. NP is here because of Andrew Davis' 3 INTs last week, and Cam Rollyson's pick-6 against Plainfield basically put that game away. The 100-yard pick-6 set the tone for EC's rout last week. 

NP has also been excellent in special teams this year. They've returned three KOs for TDs (and two of those three were against Decatur Central and Cathedral, so that's not just happening against the softer part of their schedule) and have eight total special teams touchdowns (three blocked punts, a punt return and a blocked field goal in addition to the three KORs). 

Should be a fun night in St. Leon. 

[Rodney]

1 hour ago, crimsonace1 said:

Two extremely well-coached teams. Both have massive, talented lines on both sides of the ball. 

What EC's defense did to Whiteland last week was impressive - held them to 95 total yards, all on the ground, shut them out and had a 100-yard pick-6. Obviously, New Pal is a different animal than Whiteland - a much more multiple offense with a lot more weapons - but that was a big game for them. The thing about the Dragons is nobody has gaudy numbers, but a LOT of players are contributing. Four receivers with 12+ catches and 200+ yards, the two RBs have combined for 1,300 yards and Davis has also run for 700+ (while throwing for 1,400+). 

Key for NP is to get a lead and force EC to pass. NP's run defense has been stout - Cathedral had 71 rushing yards and largely abandoned the run after halftime last week - but Bellman has done a nice job taking over for Minges and EC's line is huge. EC has run for 200+ yards on almost everyone this year. But if the Dragons can get ahead, they can take the ball-control element away from the Trojans, who will want to limit possessions. 

Turnovers will be key. Both teams create a lot of turnovers. NP is here because of Andrew Davis' 3 INTs last week, and Cam Rollyson's pick-6 against Plainfield basically put that game away. The 100-yard pick-6 set the tone for EC's rout last week. 

NP has also been excellent in special teams this year. They've returned three KOs for TDs (and two of those three were against Decatur Central and Cathedral, so that's not just happening against the softer part of their schedule) and have eight total special teams touchdowns (three blocked punts, a punt return and a blocked field goal in addition to the three KORs). 

Should be a fun night in St. Leon. 

Where is the closest bar to the stadium

[RocksFan23]

28 minutes ago, Rodney said:

Where is the closest bar to the stadium

Gotta be St Leon Tavern

[SMAUG]

40 minutes ago, RocksFan23 said:

Gotta be St Leon Tavern

Probably the BEST fried chicken in Southern Indiana

[Impartial_Observer]

55 minutes ago, SMAUG said:

Probably the BEST fried chicken in Southern Indiana

At least one place in Oldenburg would argue that point. 

[RocksFan23]

1 hour ago, SMAUG said:

Probably the BEST fried chicken in Southern Indiana

I liked it a lot, but something about Wagner's having even more of that peppery flavor, and the German beer drafts, have me leaning towards them in the SE Indiana fried chicken trail.