6A State Championship- Center Grove (13-0) vs Westfield (12-1)

[PHJIrish]

3 minutes ago, foxbat said:

Westfield put up 14 on them and I think part of the issue for Westfield was that they got shell-shocked early by CG's offense.  I think Westfield quickly came off their game trying to close the gap and catch up after that third TD on that pass play.  They had a lot of low percentage passes, even though they made some nice catches, and that just played into CG's hands.  I think if the score was 14-7 CG going into the half, I'm not sure that 20 against Westfield would have done it.

Westfield improved immensely since I saw them play in week one.  Center Grove's tall three man defensive line made it really difficult for opposing QB's.  They just didn't have any weaknesses on either side of the ball.

1 minute ago, BTF said:

I'll take your word for. I'm really in no position to debate that. Much respect for the Cathedral program. 

Thanks.  It's really a subjective subject and hard to actually argue.  GOAT is always up to the individual.

[Footballking16]

24 minutes ago, PHJIrish said:

Thanks.  It's really a subjective subject and hard to actually argue.  GOAT is always up to the individual.

Was just talking about that over Thanksgiving dinner. Grandfather was class of 63 and said the same thing. Sure he doesn’t have any bias.

[temptation]

45 minutes ago, foxbat said:

Westfield put up 14 on them and I think part of the issue for Westfield was that they got shell-shocked early by CG's offense.  I think Westfield quickly came off their game trying to close the gap and catch up after that third TD on that pass play.  They had a lot of low percentage passes, even though they made some nice catches, and that just played into CG's hands.  I think if the score was 14-7 CG going into the half, I'm not sure that 20 against Westfield would have done it.

That was not a situation unique to Westfield.  CG did that to everyone this season.  They never gave up more than 14 points in a game.  Even when they got down 14-0 to LN, they then rattled off 28 in a row.

Still say the trajectory of the game could have changed early had Westfield had the stones to go for it in 4th and 2 from midfield.

That could’ve changed things had they converted and gone down to score.

Edited November 28, 2020 by temptation

[PHJIrish]

8 minutes ago, Jon said:

So Cathedral playing at home on grass field was edge they needed to beat three teams that had to drive from Cincinnati. st. x, La Salle and Elder

It didn't hurt us any!😉

[PHJIrish]

16 minutes ago, Footballking16 said:

Was just talking about that over Thanksgiving dinner. Grandfather was class of 63 and said the same thing. Sure he doesn’t have any bias.

Well I don't have any bias.  That '63 team was tough!  

What's your grandfather's name, I graduated in '61.

[Olympian06]

1 hour ago, foxbat said:

Westfield put up 14 on them and I think part of the issue for Westfield was that they got shell-shocked early by CG's offense.  I think Westfield quickly came off their game trying to close the gap and catch up after that third TD on that pass play.  They had a lot of low percentage passes, even though they made some nice catches, and that just played into CG's hands.  I think if the score was 14-7 CG going into the half, I'm not sure that 20 against Westfield would have done it.

Kind of hard to make throws when the QB is running for his life and being planted into the turf 60% of the time. 

[foxbat]

Don't know if folks saw this this morning or not, but CG made the cover photo on MaxPreps.

[WestfieldRocks]

4 hours ago, DT said:

Westfield looked smaller and less physical than I expected.  CG stuck with a very methodical gameplan and didnt need to score 50 plus to win, and they knew that going in.

Zionsville has one last chance to try and salvage the rep of the HCC tonight.  I think they will put up more of a fight 

 

Westfield's size didn't matter to them at all except for the two losses. Come on, CG has lineman as large as some that play in the NFL. Not only that, but speed all over the place. There's a reason why the ones in the know practically gave them the 6A trophy prior to the start of the season. They made just about everyone they played in the mighty MIC look bad.

[WestfieldRocks]

13 hours ago, Grover said:

Take your shots at Westfield now because they are only going to get better. Well coached, great youth program, and a rapidly growing community. 
 

 

JV and freshmen were undefeated, playing the same schedule as the varsity. Yes, that means both beat Cathedral. Eight grade team was also undefeated. As for the rapidly growing community, as a family moving into a district with athletes, you always look at the school's facilities. Some have said Riverview Health Stadium is the best in Indiana. 

[WestfieldRocks]

6 hours ago, temptation said:

The argument could be made that Westfield played CG better than any of the big three in the MIC, no?

The games played out differently but Westfield’s margin of defeat (24) was less than Carmel’s (42), BD’s (average of 29) and Warren’s (average of 29)...

They shut them out in the second half...and NO CG was not letting off the gas.

Agree to a point. The schools you mentioned hung around until CG decided to destroy them. CG did this to Westfield almost from the get go. Westfield did run for 136 yards. Micha Hauser, running on a bad ankle, ran for 118 yards in only 11 carries. Did CG allow another 100 yard rusher this season? CG only gave up an average of 38 yards per game. Westfield "won" the second half 7-0. As you said, CG did not let off of the gas. They didn't pull their starters until almost the final minute of the game, after Westfield had already pulled their starters. Westfield's defense really cranked it up the second half, especially Popeye Williams, who's being recruited by many of the top D1 schools.  That pick by Kyle Pape made #1 on ESPN's Top Play Of The Day. As sort of a consolation, Westfield's Benji Welch was awarded the Mental Attitude Award. 

 

Edited November 28, 2020 by WestfieldRocks

[WestfieldRocks]

3 hours ago, temptation said:

I don’t.  Cathedral/Zionsville may be as lopsided as Roncalli/Hobart.

I agree. I was at that Z'ville/Westfield game. It was 42-0 at halftime. Webster was still a game removed from becoming the starting QB. Irish will name their score tonight.

[WestfieldRocks]

3 hours ago, PHJIrish said:

Well, I've seen a lot of Cathedral teams play in the past 65 years and this year's team certainly deserves consideration.  The 1996 undefeated team and the 1963 team would be in the conversation with this year's team in my estimation.  The 1963 team allowed only 18 points the entire season, and 12 of those were in one game.

Against the mighty Wood Woodchucks...LOL  I'm old enough to remember that tie game. It kept Cathedral from winning the then mythical, voted on, state title. Lose to Wood, you don't put that team in your top three.

[Staxawax]

20 minutes ago, WestfieldRocks said:

Agree to a point. The schools you mentioned hung around until CG decided to destroy them. CG did this to Westfield almost from the get go. Westfield did run for 136 yards. Micha Hauser, running on a bad ankle, ran for 118 yards in only 11 carries. Did CG allow another 100 yard rusher this season? CG only gave up an average of 38 yards per game. Westfield "won" the second half 7-0. As you said, CG did not let off of the gas. They didn't pull their starters until almost the final minute of the game, after Westfield had already pulled their starters. Westfield's defense really cranked it up the second half, especially Popeye Williams, who's being recruited by many of the top D1 schools.  That pick by Kyle Pape made #1 on ESPN's Top Play Of The Day. As sort of a consolation, Westfield's Benji Welch was awarded the Mental Attitude Award. 

 

CG didn’t call off the dogs in the 2nd half, but they did call off the hunt. Very conservative play calling designed to run the clock. No doubt Westfield played better and Webster took an absolute beating, but props to those guys, they never quit fighting. 
 

As far as the program goes, what they are missing is having more than one middle school. Getting more kids playing the game at that level will play dividends in high school. I’m sure that will happen in a few short years.

[foxbat]

1 hour ago, WestfieldRocks said:

JV and freshmen were undefeated, playing the same schedule as the varsity. Yes, that means both beat Cathedral. Eight grade team was also undefeated. As for the rapidly growing community, as a family moving into a district with athletes, you always look at the school's facilities. Some have said Riverview Health Stadium is the best in Indiana. 

Westfield freshman only beat 5A Harrison 28-21 and that was Harrison freshman's lone loss this season.  Is that a Harrison good or a Westfield problem?  Not trying to start anything, just trying to gauge from a different perspective as I think that's as close Harrison's teams have been to Westfield in the past.  The Raider freshman also thrashed 6A Jeff by three TDs. 

Also, Harrison's varsity played Roncalli this season and lost 49-45 in a game that had a lead change just about every possession.  And their season-ender came via Zionsville who will be playing later on today in the 5A title.

[temptation]

19 minutes ago, foxbat said:

Westfield freshman only beat 5A Harrison 28-21 and that was Harrison freshman's lone loss this season.  Is that a Harrison good or a Westfield problem?  Not trying to start anything, just trying to gauge from a different perspective as I think that's as close Harrison's teams have been to Westfield in the past.  The Raider freshman also thrashed 6A Jeff by three TDs. 

Also, Harrison's varsity played Roncalli this season and lost 49-45 in a game that had a lead change just about every possession.  And their season-ender came via Zionsville who will be playing later on today in the 5A title.

I’d say that bodes well for Harrison’s future.

[foxbat]

8 minutes ago, temptation said:

I’d say that bodes well for Harrison’s future.

Kind of what I'm hoping as my oldest son is a Harrison freshman this season.

[temptation]

1 minute ago, foxbat said:

Kind of what I'm hoping as my oldest son is a Harrison freshman this season.

Zionsville bumping back up to 6A could open the door for a deep Harrison run.

[foxbat]

3 hours ago, temptation said:

Zionsville bumping back up to 6A could open the door for a deep Harrison run.

Unfortunately, it looks like that's just going to be for a two-year cycle.  The new enrollment numbers show Harrison is likely to be at the top of 5A in numbers for this coming cycle, but with two new subdivisions within a mile of the school currently getting their leveling, it all but inevitable that Harrison is heading to 6A ... just in time for my son's senior year.  I guess if they can hang with Westfield, maybe they'll be competitive in 6A at that time.

[Staxawax]

1 minute ago, foxbat said:

Unfortunately, it looks like that's just going to be for a two-year cycle.  The new enrollment numbers show Harrison is likely to be at the top of 5A in numbers for this coming cycle, but with two new subdivisions within a mile of the school currently getting their leveling, it all but inevitable that Harrison is heading to 6A ... just in time for my son's senior year.  I guess if they can hang with Westfield, maybe they'll be competitive in 6A at that time.

NCC hasn’t helped Jeff one bit in preparing for 6A playoffs and it won’t help Harrison either. I think you guys need to look north and get in a good conference. 

[foxbat]

35 minutes ago, Staxawax said:

NCC hasn’t helped Jeff one bit in preparing for 6A playoffs and it won’t help Harrison either. I think you guys need to look north and get in a good conference. 

I'm not sure which conference Harrison could get into at this point.  Recall that Harrison, McCutcheon, and Jeff left or were escorted out the door of the HCC depending on who's telling the story.  They were all less-than-competitive at that point with McCutcheon probably being the strongest of the three.  Since moving to the NCC, McCutchoen seems to have drifted downward with Jeff and Harrison being, comparatively, better than when they were in the HCC.  Again, I'm not sure which conference would welcome Harrison either with or without its Lafayette-area brethren that would help them be stronger in the post season.  I'm a bit newer to following the 5A/6A circuit, so I'm not as well-versed with which conferences match up well with which styles or areas as I am with the lower classes like 1A, 2A, and, to an extent, 3A.  I'm learning.

With that said, Harrison does seem to be more competitive recently and it is my understanding that the freshman team there is the largest in school history.  Also, that 28-21 outing with Westfield was a very welcome development that seems to indicate movement in the right direction over the past few years even if it isn't a major leap yet.  Seeing where Roncalli finished this season, again, I'm encouraged by Harrison's competitive showing with them in a hard-fought 49-45 loss.

[Indiana Fan]

On 11/28/2020 at 1:34 PM, WestfieldRocks said:

Agree to a point. The schools you mentioned hung around until CG decided to destroy them. CG did this to Westfield almost from the get go. Westfield did run for 136 yards. Micha Hauser, running on a bad ankle, ran for 118 yards in only 11 carries. Did CG allow another 100 yard rusher this season? CG only gave up an average of 38 yards per game. Westfield "won" the second half 7-0. As you said, CG did not let off of the gas. They didn't pull their starters until almost the final minute of the game, after Westfield had already pulled their starters. Westfield's defense really cranked it up the second half, especially Popeye Williams, who's being recruited by many of the top D1 schools.  That pick by Kyle Pape made #1 on ESPN's Top Play Of The Day. As sort of a consolation, Westfield's Benji Welch was awarded the Mental Attitude Award. 

 

I felt cg let up some... but the rocks did settle down and play a solid second half.

[Irishman]

Saw on ESPN's Sportscenter that Pape's pick was number 5 in the top ten plays of the week. It was a great play.