5A Tournament: OFFICIAL Thread

[temptation]

6 hours ago, crimsonace1 said:

I usually don't challenge complete bunk remarks, but I'm going to here. 

"New Pal has played nobody," has been uttered for the last dozen years. In the Kyle Ralph era, New Pal's non-conference opponents have been Kokomo, Decatur Central, Westfield, Brebeuf, Center Grove, Whiteland, Lawrenceburg, Danville and Richmond. All but one of those programs have been playing on Thanksgiving weekend in the last decade. East Central and Roncalli are confirmed for next season. 

NP faced a down Kokomo team this year (but when that game was scheduled, Kokomo was coming off a semistate appearance and had a lot of talent coming back), but then beat a 6A sectional champ in Decatur Central (on the road) the next week. Also beat two Sagarin Top-30 teams in Yorktown & Pendleton Heights. 

The "they don't play anyone" crowd won't be satisfied unless 1991 Ben Davis and 2006 Warren Central show up on their schedules. It's largely based on jealousy. I hear the same, "well, let's see how they'd do against a 6A schedule." They don't need to play a 6A schedule, although they've played five eventual 6A sectional champions since 2018, and beaten four of them. 

Also ... I've been around New Pal football for more than 25 years. All I've heard is "this freshman class has some talented kids." Nobody has said anything about them being "best in the state," because freshman ball is freshman ball and it's ultimately to help prepare for Friday nights. I think you're putting words in Coach's mouth, because he's not going to pump up a group that hasn't played a varsity game. Results in freshman games mean nothing on Friday nights because *those kids aren't playing*. (And I didn't know a two-TD spread was "dismantling"). 

Can’t say I disagree.

The “pound for pound” discussion comes up on this forum occasionally and without a doubt it’s New Pal and then everyone else.

[23andCounting]

50 minutes ago, temptation said:

Can’t say I disagree.

The “pound for pound” discussion comes up on this forum occasionally and without a doubt it’s New Pal and then everyone else.

Adams Central might have something to say about that. 

[Komets2727]

Adams Central and Bishop Luers are there year after after after year…

[23andCounting]

38 minutes ago, Komets2727 said:

Adams Central and Bishop Luers are there year after after after year…

I see Luers in the same category as Chatard and Cathedral. Really hard to measure the private schools in terms of "pound for pound." 

I'd say New Pal, then Adams Central in a close second. Then "everyone else." The top two are close. New Pal's enrollment sits at 1209 versus Adams Central at 408. Would Adams Central give New Pal the game of their life if they had 1209 students? It's close guys. Really really close. 

[temptation]

25 minutes ago, 23andCounting said:

I see Luers in the same category as Chatard and Cathedral. Really hard to measure the private schools in terms of "pound for pound." 

I'd say New Pal, then Adams Central in a close second. Then "everyone else." The top two are close. New Pal's enrollment sits at 1209 versus Adams Central at 408. Would Adams Central give New Pal the game of their life if they had 1209 students? It's close guys. Really really close. 

I’m willing to hear your argument and maybe we are defining “pound for pound” differently?

I think that New Pal (1209) would give Carmel (5400) problems.

For argument sake, let’s say that Carmel is 4.5 times bigger than New Pal.

Therefore, a similar comparison to Adams Central would be a school of about 1800, let’s say Decatur Central.

No offense but I think DC would put a running clock Adams Central.

Edited November 9, 2025 by temptation

[23andCounting]

2 hours ago, temptation said:

I’m willing to hear your argument and maybe we are defining “pound for pound” differently?

I think that New Pal (1209) would give Carmel (5400) problems.

For argument sake, let’s say that Carmel is 4.5 times bigger than New Pal.

Therefore, a similar comparison to Adams Central would be a school of about 1800, let’s say Decatur Central.

No offense but I think DC would put a running clock Adams Central.

But what if Adams Central had 1833 students? Decatur Central would be in a MASSIVE amount of trouble. Pound for pound. I think if Adams Central had 1209 kids, they'd do just fine against New Pal. 

Look, I'll give you New Pal, they've earned it. Adams Central may or may not be right there as their equal, there's no way of knowing. I'm just simply saying that if New Pal is #1, then Adams Central is a close 2nd. THEN, there's everyone else. And mind you, were talking about programs here, not one time wonders. Sorry, I know you like Decatur Central, but I'm not ready to talk about them in the same sentence as NP and AC.............not even a little bit. Not even a micro iota of a little bit. 

[temptation]

14 minutes ago, 23andCounting said:

But what if Adams Central had 1833 students? Decatur Central would be in a MASSIVE amount of trouble. Pound for pound. I think if Adams Central had 1209 kids, they'd do just fine against New Pal. 

Look, I'll give you New Pal, they've earned it. Adams Central may or may not be right there as their equal, there's no way of knowing. I'm just simply saying that if New Pal is #1, then Adams Central is a close 2nd. THEN, there's everyone else. And mind you, were talking about programs here, not one time wonders. Sorry, I know you like Decatur Central, but I'm not ready to talk about them in the same sentence as NP and AC.............not even a little bit. Not even a micro iota of a little bit. 

I see your point.

What else do you need to see from Decatur Central?

How many they have to come within Brownsburg for you to take off your hater glasses?

[23andCounting]

12 minutes ago, temptation said:

I see your point.

What else do you need to see from Decatur Central?

How many they have to come within Brownsburg for you to take off your hater glasses?

I don't hate Decatur Central. I actually have a lot of respect for what Kyle Enright has done there. I just got tired of everyone thinking they were going to come into 6A as one of the programs to beat. They're not one of the programs to beat. They're not in the Brownsburg, Carmel, Westfield, and Center Grove category. They're more so in the Carroll, Crown Point, Penn, Hamilton Southeastern category. Good program for sure, especially what they've done with their enrollment, much respect. 

Pound for pound? Yeah, the last couple of years they've done nicely. But before that, they've always bowed out of the tournament by a very big margin. Great program, but sorry, not New Pal or Adams Central. Not even close. 

If every school had the same exact resources, I'm probably picking Kyle Ralph or Michael Mosser to lead the way. Eric Moore would be a very close third. Kyle Enright is in that "everyone else" category. Meaning the next 10-20. And that's a compliment considering the amount of good football programs throughout the state. 

I really don't care much about the Brownsburg/DC game. It interests me some from a fans perspective, but I could care less about who wins. Let's revisit the DC debate after the game. 

[PHJIrish]

On 11/8/2025 at 12:01 AM, IndianaWrestlingGuy1 said:

21-36 175 yards. Three picks. 

Too many penalties, too many picks!  I'm proud of the effort, though!  

I hope to see all back here in August, the Good Lord willin'!

[temptation]

1 hour ago, 23andCounting said:

I don't hate Decatur Central. I actually have a lot of respect for what Kyle Enright has done there. I just got tired of everyone thinking they were going to come into 6A as one of the programs to beat. They're not one of the programs to beat. They're not in the Brownsburg, Carmel, Westfield, and Center Grove category. They're more so in the Carroll, Crown Point, Penn, Hamilton Southeastern category. Good program for sure, especially what they've done with their enrollment, much respect. 

Pound for pound? Yeah, the last couple of years they've done nicely. But before that, they've always bowed out of the tournament by a very big margin. Great program, but sorry, not New Pal or Adams Central. Not even close. 

If every school had the same exact resources, I'm probably picking Kyle Ralph or Michael Mosser to lead the way. Eric Moore would be a very close third. Kyle Enright is in that "everyone else" category. Meaning the next 10-20. And that's a compliment considering the amount of good football programs throughout the state. 

I really don't care much about the Brownsburg/DC game. It interests me some from a fans perspective, but I could care less about who wins. Let's revisit the DC debate after the game. 

Who in the hell said they were a team to beat in 6A?  No one on here I can remember.

In fact, quite the opposite as I remember some folks claiming they’d be in over their heads in 6A.

And what did they do?  Went out and won their sectional in their first year in 6A.

They’d never say this but I will.  There’s nothing that can happen Friday night that makes DC’s season anything other than a resounding success.

 

[23andCounting]

9 minutes ago, temptation said:

Who in the hell said they were a team to beat in 6A?  No one on here I can remember.

In fact, quite the opposite as I remember some folks claiming they’d be in over their heads in 6A.

And what did they do?  Went out and won their sectional in their first year in 6A.

They’d never say this but I will.  There’s nothing that can happen Friday night that makes DC’s season anything other than a resounding success.

 

C'mon Temp, there was all kinds of chatter at the beginning of the season about how they were going to contend for the title. Not from you that I recall. 

Yeah, that was me who claimed they'd be in over their heads. 

Sure, they won a sectional, solidifying an extra two years in 6A. Good for them, credit where credit is due. Not exactly the toughest sectional in the state though. To be fair though, six of the other seven sectionals had a team in it better than Lawrence Central. 

Agree, regardless of the outcome, DC had a very good season. Kudos to them. Kudos for rolling with the big boys. 

Now, what's your affiliation? You've bent over backwards pumping this program up this season while questioning teams of equal caliber like Carroll, Penn, and Crown Point. 

[temptation]

6 minutes ago, 23andCounting said:

C'mon Temp, there was all kinds of chatter at the beginning of the season about how they were going to contend for the title. Not from you that I recall. 

Yeah, that was me who claimed they'd be in over their heads. 

Sure, they won a sectional, solidifying an extra two years in 6A. Good for them, credit where credit is due. Not exactly the toughest sectional in the state though. To be fair though, six of the other seven sectionals had a team in it better than Lawrence Central. 

Agree, regardless of the outcome, DC had a very good season. Kudos to them. Kudos for rolling with the big boys. 

Now, what's your affiliation? You've bent over backwards pumping this program up this season while questioning teams of equal caliber like Carroll, Penn, and Crown Point. 

Have seen em in person.  They have speed and are well coached.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Selective memory on my part?  I don’t recall seeing ANYONE pump up DC as contender in 6A this year.

[23andCounting]

4 minutes ago, temptation said:

Have seen em in person.  They have speed and are well coached.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Selective memory on my part?  I don’t recall seeing ANYONE pump up DC as contender in 6A this year.

Yes, selective memory. You remember some saying they were over their heads though? Those comments were only made because of the claims being made. 

Wait, maybe those comments were on Facebook. 

[23andCounting]

Yeah, I think it was Facebook that was pumping them up as 6A title winners. 

[temptation]

28 minutes ago, 23andCounting said:

Yes, selective memory. You remember some saying they were over their heads though? Those comments were only made because of the claims being made. 

Wait, maybe those comments were on Facebook. 

I mean, common sense stated they were gonna have a rough go of it in 6A but they exceeded expectations.

No other way to spin it.

[23andCounting]

2 minutes ago, temptation said:

I mean, common sense stated they were gonna have a rough go of it in 6A but they exceeded expectations.

No other way to spin it.

Exceeded whose expectations? Right now, I think they are right where "common sense" fans thought they would be. 

A 7-10 point loss to Brownsburg would be "exceeded." 

A 14-21 point loss to Brownsburg would be "common sense." 

A 22+ point loss to Brownsburg would be "in over their head." 

[temptation]

1 hour ago, 23andCounting said:

Exceeded whose expectations? Right now, I think they are right where "common sense" fans thought they would be. 

A 7-10 point loss to Brownsburg would be "exceeded." 

A 14-21 point loss to Brownsburg would be "common sense." 

A 22+ point loss to Brownsburg would be "in over their head." 

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.)

[Rodney]

If I remember correctly there is a whole thread for 6a talk.

 

 

DC is doing just fine.

 

Not sure what everyone was expecting.

 

They were never going to be a favorite and they were never going to be a bottom feeder

[temptation]

13 minutes ago, Rodney said:

If I remember correctly there is a whole thread for 6a talk.

 

 

DC is doing just fine.

 

Not sure what everyone was expecting.

 

They were never going to be a favorite and they were never going to be a bottom feeder

DC is 5.5A 

[Komets2727]

3 hours ago, 23andCounting said:

I don't hate Decatur Central. I actually have a lot of respect for what Kyle Enright has done there. I just got tired of everyone thinking they were going to come into 6A as one of the programs to beat. They're not one of the programs to beat. They're not in the Brownsburg, Carmel, Westfield, and Center Grove category. They're more so in the Carroll, Crown Point, Penn, Hamilton Southeastern category. Good program for sure, especially what they've done with their enrollment, much respect. 

Pound for pound? Yeah, the last couple of years they've done nicely. But before that, they've always bowed out of the tournament by a very big margin. Great program, but sorry, not New Pal or Adams Central. Not even close. 

If every school had the same exact resources, I'm probably picking Kyle Ralph or Michael Mosser to lead the way. Eric Moore would be a very close third. Kyle Enright is in that "everyone else" category. Meaning the next 10-20. And that's a compliment considering the amount of good football programs throughout the state. 

I really don't care much about the Brownsburg/DC game. It interests me some from a fans perspective, but I could care less about who wins. Let's revisit the DC debate after the game. 

DC is not in the HSE, Carroll, Penn, Crown Point category. What have they done in their history to put them on that pedestal in 6A? I don’t even think they are in the great category for 5A much less to be putting them in the category suggested… Complete hyperbole

[temptation]

35 minutes ago, Komets2727 said:

DC is not in the HSE, Carroll, Penn, Crown Point category. What have they done in their history to put them on that pedestal in 6A? I don’t even think they are in the great category for 5A much less to be putting them in the category suggested… Complete hyperbole

C’mon.

Enright has a 76% winning percentage since taking over at DC and they’ve gone 23-8 in the tournament including 4 sectional titles, 3 regional titles, 3 semi state titles and a state title.

And they were solid under Dixon before him.

The Mid-State isn’t a monster but it’s a top 5/6 conference annually and if you are looking at conferences without 6A schools it may be #1.

Because Carroll and Crown Point made it to Lucas Oil recently and got mud stomped, they are more worthy than DC?

Why does Penn keep showing up on these lists?

HSE?  Really?

DC has more to prove in 6A but they are absolutely worthy of 5A elite status.

Edited November 9, 2025 by temptation

[Komets2727]

20 minutes ago, temptation said:

C’mon.

Enright has a 76% winning percentage since taking over at DC and they’ve gone 23-8 in the tournament including 4 sectional titles, 3 regional titles, 3 semi state titles and a state title.

And they were solid under Dixon before him.

The Mid-State isn’t a monster but it’s a top 5/6 conference annually and if you are looking at conferences without 6A schools it may be #1.

Because Carroll and Crown Point made it to Lucas Oil recently and got mud stomped, they are more worthy than DC?

Why does Penn keep showing up on these lists?

HSE?  Really?

DC has more to prove in 6A but they are absolutely worthy of 5A elite status.

You are kidding, right? At the 6A level, DC has done nothing to put them at an equal level with those teams. Zilch

[temptation]

14 minutes ago, Komets2727 said:

You are kidding, right? At the 6A level, DC has done nothing to put them at an equal level with those teams. Zilch

I think we actually agree here, lol.

I was specifically replying to your comment of them not being “in the great category for 5A” statement.

[Komets2727]

13 minutes ago, temptation said:

I think we actually agree here, lol.

I was specifically replying to your comment of them not being “in the great category for 5A” statement.

I don’t put DC with Cathedral, New Pal, or Snider, those are great 5A programs even though enrollment numbers for the first two are probably 4A numbers. DC is not at the great level 

[temptation]

4 minutes ago, Komets2727 said:

I don’t put DC with Cathedral, New Pal, or Snider, those are great 5A programs even though enrollment numbers for the first two are probably 4A numbers. DC is not at the great level 

After last year, I absolutely do.

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