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Reclassification - Winners and Losers


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Reclassification - Winners and Losers
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Winners
1. Delta
Delta was the top program in the Hoosier Heritage a decade ago and then New Pal and Mt Vernon came along and reestablished the power order in the conference. Greenfield Central is now knocking on the door and wants in on the party. Delta's drop from 4A to 3A comes at the right time as Coach Chris Overholt has a load of quality talent returning this season.
2. The Duneland Conference
The DAC has been chasing The MIC and The HCC for years, but that chase is now over as the Duneland becomes one of the premiere 5A conferences in the state as Merrillville, Valpo and Chesterton move down (likely permanently)and join LaPorte and Michigan City in 5A. Hopefully its not too late for Merrillville as the Pirates have been loaded for the past several years and have been a regular semi state contender in 6A. The Pirates are the most menacing of all the new 5A entrants.
3. Lafayette Harrison
Cathedral's Success Factor jump into 6A makes Harrison the state's largest 5A school, and Coach Terry Peebles has a program that is on the brink of competing at the statewide level. The Raiders will be big and aggressive as they look to take the next step up the competitive ladder this fall.
4. Muncie Central
Muncie made one of the states very best offseason coaching hires, bringing in Centerville's Kyle Padgett. The Bearcats are the state's 4th largest 4A school and Padgett will get the most out of that talent pool. Look for immediate improvement at MC this fall.
5. Kokomo
Another North Central Conference school is a big winner in the reclassification, as Kokomo drops to 4A and becomes the state's largest school in that classification. Austin Colby has the program in overdrive and the WildKats immediately become a state championship contender in their new home.
6. Griffith
The Griffith program has struggled since Russ Radtke left town, and with the city's population plummeting, a reclass to 3A is just what the doctor ordered for the Panther football program. Now its up to Coach Rob Robinson to get his numbers back up to where his team can be a threat is the GSSC.
Losers
1. Edgewood
The Mustangs are struggling in an ever improving WIC, and 2nd year Head Coach Caleb True has his work cut out for him as increasing enrollment has pushed his program up to 4A. Timing could be better for Edgewood but True will have to make the best of a challenging situation for his program.
2. Ft Wayne Northrup
Northrup missed the 6A/5A cutoff by one student , and got bumped up to 6A, where the program does not belong. Is Northrup doing anything different to justify its place in the states largest classification? The program has been mediocre for years, despite lots of talent in the halls. Will be interesting to see if the Bruins rise to the challenge.
3. Jeffersonville
Jeff is a small 6A school, so like many before them, they are just waiting to fall to 5A as other Indy metro schools grow and pass them in enrollment.
4. Lake Station
The Eagles are struggling to keep their competitive heads above water, and a bump up to 2A is the last thing they need at this time.
5. Pioneer
The Panthers drop to 1A after a few SF seasons in 2A. This is a highly successful and competitive program that probably doesn't need or want the demotion.
6. Portage
Portage is losing enrollment at one of the highest rates in the state. The school has lost over 15% of its enrollment over the past 6 years and plays well below its 6A classification. It might take another 10 years of enrollment decline before PHS drops to 5A. It will be a long and difficult decade for the football program until that happens.
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12 minutes ago, HHF said:
Reclassification - Winners and Losers
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Winners

 

3. Lafayette Harrison
Cathedral's Success Factor jump into 6A makes Harrison the state's largest 5A school, and Coach Terry Peebles has a program that is on the brink of competing at the statewide level. The Raiders will be big and aggressive as they look to take the next step up the competitive ladder this fall.

Kind of a wash for Harrison given that the reclassification gods saw fit to place 6A Zionsville in 5A and directly in Harrison's path as Zionsville terminated Harrison's season two years in a row en route to a pair of LOS showings in 5A.

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1 minute ago, foxbat said:

Kind of a wash for Harrison given that the reclassification gods saw fit to place 6A Zionsville in 5A and directly in Harrison's path as Zionsville terminated Harrison's season two years in a row en route to a pair of LOS showings in 5A.

The Raiders are climbing the mountain and building, one step and one brick at a time.  They are closing the gap.  This is a powerful, physical football team that needs some high level skill to get over the top.  

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21 minutes ago, HHF said:
Reclassification - Winners and Losers
*****************************************
 
5. Pioneer
The Panthers drop to 1A after a few SF seasons in 2A. This is a highly successful and competitive program that probably doesn't need or want the demotion.
 

If Pioneer doesn't/didn't want to go back down to 1A, couldn't they have requested to stay in 2A?  

I agree with what you wrote.  If I were them, I'd look forward to the challenge of winning it all in 2A.  But some believe the only thing that matters is winning the ring and would rather take a 80% chance of winning something less than a 20% chance at winning something more.  I admire the way Pioneer handled their years in 2A as they competed and I didn't read much whining about it on here like you do from another public school that has recently had to play up a class.  

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I've posed this question elsewhere, but is Pioneer really even in 1A? They won a regional in 2020 which would keep us in 2A unless I missed a different rule posting than what was originally released. 

Between 1A and 2A just line us up and we'll play whoever. Our biggest issue at the 2A level is simply depth. Big difference going against teams with 40-60 kids on the roster compared to us only having 20-30 kids JV-Varsity.

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32 minutes ago, Footballking16 said:

Chatard back to 3A is definitely a winner after only one year in 4A.

Norwell stays 3A and avoids a possible Kokomo sectional but still has to deal with sectional 28 coming North and now Delta?  Am calling it a wash.

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1 minute ago, FarmerFran said:

I've posed this question elsewhere, but is Pioneer really even in 1A? They won a regional in 2020 which would keep us in 2A unless I missed a different rule posting than what was originally released. 

Between 1A and 2A just line us up and we'll play whoever. Our biggest issue at the 2A level is simply depth. Big difference going against teams with 40-60 kids on the roster compared to us only having 20-30 kids JV-Varsity.

How many 2A schools have 40-60 kids on roster?  Cmon now.

2 minutes ago, Purdue Pete said:

Norwell stays 3A and avoids a possible Kokomo sectional but still has to deal with sectional 28 coming North and now Delta?  Am calling it a wash.

Delta feels heavy in 3A.  They could be dangerous

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6 minutes ago, HHF said:

How many 2A schools have 40-60 kids on roster?  Cmon now.

Delta feels heavy in 3A.  They could be dangerous

The ones that come to mind from 2020 were Luers and Andrean. Makes a big difference when you have 15 kids playing nearly every snap for all three phases and you see Luers swapping out~7-8 kids as they go from offense to defense in semi state.

 

 

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24 minutes ago, FarmerFran said:

The ones that come to mind from 2020 were Luers and Andrean. Makes a big difference when you have 15 kids playing nearly every snap for all three phases and you see Luers swapping out~7-8 kids as they go from offense to defense in semi state.

 

 

I was referring to public schools only.  Should have made that clear.  Privates operate under a different set of rules and assumptions.

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8 hours ago, HHF said:
Winners
3. Lafayette Harrison
Cathedral's Success Factor jump into 6A makes Harrison the state's largest 5A school, and Coach Terry Peebles has a program that is on the brink of competing at the statewide level. The Raiders will be big and aggressive as they look to take the next step up the competitive ladder this fall.

Harrison is definitely a winner if they end up going south for the state tournament like I’m anticipating. If so, the road to state is much easier than having to get there from the north. 

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15 hours ago, HHF said:
Reclassification - Winners and Losers
*****************************************
 
2. Ft Wayne Northrup
Northrup missed the 6A/5A cutoff by one student , and got bumped up to 6A, where the program does not belong. Is Northrup doing anything different to justify its place in the states largest classification? The program has been mediocre for years, despite lots of talent in the halls. Will be interesting to see if the Bruins rise to the challenge.
 

Guys like Eric Moore are obsessed with what they do for a living. If you're not, then you'll get beat by someone who is. I don't have an inside track on Northrop, so I have no idea what is going on over there. But clearly other programs are doing some things that they are not. Talent in the halls? That's an understatement. They've been a track power for decades, but for whatever reason that doesn't translate to the football field. They also have one of the better football stadiums throughout the entire state. 

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17 hours ago, HHF said:
5. Kokomo
Another North Central Conference school is a big winner in the reclassification, as Kokomo drops to 4A and becomes the state's largest school in that classification. Austin Colby has the program in overdrive and the WildKats immediately become a state championship contender in their new home.
 

Go Wildkats.  Another deep 4A tourney run or a state championship could be a welcome shot in the arm for for the citizens of Kokomo,  a city that is rapidly becoming a drug-infested hellhole.

 

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3 minutes ago, Muda69 said:

Go Wildkats.  Another deep 4A tourney run or a state championship could be a welcome shot in the arm for for the citizens of Kokomo,  a city that is rapidly becoming a drug-infested hellhole.

 

Tell us how you really feel about Kokomo Muda.  LOL

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Just now, HHF said:

Tell us how you really feel about Kokomo Muda.  LOL

Easily.  I have a number of in-laws that were born, raised, and still live there.  Visited it often as youth, and still go there from time to time.  As the automotive industry waxes and wanes so does the city.  And the jobs that industry provides Kokomo are nothing what they were 30-40 years ago.  

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18 hours ago, HHF said:

The Raiders are climbing the mountain and building, one step and one brick at a time.  They are closing the gap.  This is a powerful, physical football team that needs some high level skill to get over the top.  

Can they compete with the duneland though? With the way merrillville has dominated LJ? 

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1 minute ago, Piratefan101 said:

Can they compete with the duneland though? With the way merrillville has dominated LJ? 

Depends on how many OMG! Athletes they can get to transfer from the likes of McCutcheon or Lafayette Jefferson.  I'm sure Mr. Peebles would also love some of that sweet talent on the West Side River Rats squad but that is much tougher nut to to crack and a lot more bit-o-honey to pony up.

 

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4 minutes ago, Piratefan101 said:

Can they compete with the duneland though? With the way merrillville has dominated LJ? 

Good point.  LJ has not been able to contain MVs top skill athletes.  LH is a different team, built more on power and strength than finesse and speed.  The Pirates lose some top skill talent, which will bring them back to the pack somewhat.  

2 minutes ago, Muda69 said:

Depends on how many OMG! Athletes they can get to transfer from the likes of McCutcheon or Lafayette Jefferson.  I'm sure Mr. Peebles would also love some of that sweet talent on the West Side River Rats squad but that is much tougher nut to to crack and a lot more bit-o-honey to pony up.

 

McCutcheon has new leadership and great fan and community support.  I expect to see them improve significantly over the next few years.  

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1 minute ago, HHF said:

Good point.  LJ has not been able to contain MVs top skill athletes.  LH is a different team, built more on power and strength than finesse and speed.  The Pirates lose some top skill talent, which will bring them back to the pack somewhat.  

Honestly no merrillville actually gained more skill position. The line play on both sides will be a question but there were a lot of kids from surrounding schools that transferred into merrillville on spring break. 
 

Transfers confirmed

LB from portage that has D1 offers

RB from Joliet catholic that has D1 offers

WR from Valpo that is 6’5 good speed (2nd year of playing football) 

the entire secondary is back. And so is offense (minus QB) which the QB was splitting time with his back up all year and they had same stats till backup went down with torn ACL.backup is mobile. 
 

aanotjer WR from Andrean that is over in summer. 

and we may even have a brother combination coming down from Andrean because big man was told that he needed to play stiffer competition instead of 2A ball… 

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3 minutes ago, Piratefan101 said:

Honestly no merrillville actually gained more skill position. The line play on both sides will be a question but there were a lot of kids from surrounding schools that transferred into merrillville on spring break. 
 

Transfers confirmed

LB from portage that has D1 offers

RB from Joliet catholic that has D1 offers

WR from Valpo that is 6’5 good speed (2nd year of playing football) 

the entire secondary is back. And so is offense (minus QB) which the QB was splitting time with his back up all year and they had same stats till backup went down with torn ACL.backup is mobile. 
 

aanotjer WR from Andrean that is over in summer. 

and we may even have a brother combination coming down from Andrean because big man was told that he needed to play stiffer competition instead of 2A ball… 

Big hole to fill at RB.  Huge hole to fill on defensive line.  Those were two of the very best players the program has ever produced.  And the QB was highly productive.  Marshall is a great player but he will need help.The new blood will take some time to mesh with the other players.  

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58 minutes ago, HHF said:

Big hole to fill at RB.  Huge hole to fill on defensive line.  Those were two of the very best players the program has ever produced.  And the QB was highly productive.  Marshall is a great player but he will need help.The new blood will take some time to mesh with the other players.  

Phillip roche will be the RB that’s what he played growing up. He was a RB for us untill last year when he moved to safety. Marshall and roche will be both ways. The line is the only hole we have. Roche was the RB before logan came in and Logan was a power runner which fit our like better. Roche is a versatile speed back. Had major D1 offers for defense and a couple smaller for RB

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Biggest winner is the DAC imo. With the way sectionals will likely be paired, only Mishawaka, Snider or Dwenger stand in their way of a trip to LOS every year. And with Cathedral in 6A this cycle there’s a realistic shot at a Duneland team bringing home some blue rings in the next two years. 

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3 minutes ago, scarab527 said:

Biggest winner is the DAC imo. With the way sectionals will likely be paired, only Mishawaka, Snider or Dwenger stand in their way of a trip to LOS every year. And with Cathedral in 6A this cycle there’s a realistic shot at a Duneland team bringing home some blue rings in the next two years. 

Probably feels good for The DAC to leave The MIC and The HCC in the rear view mirror.  LC and CP will get their shots if they can get their acts together.  Portage is toast.  Stuck in the middle.  Too big for 5A.  Too small for 6A.

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5 minutes ago, scarab527 said:

Biggest winner is the DAC imo. With the way sectionals will likely be paired, only Mishawaka, Snider or Dwenger stand in their way of a trip to LOS every year. And with Cathedral in 6A this cycle there’s a realistic shot at a Duneland team bringing home some blue rings in the next two years. 

Youve also got Morton, Hammond Central and Munster to the west, all in 5A.  Morton and Central are both going to improve as they get thru the consolidation.  Munster is on the way back - still a long way to go.  I think Central is going to be a threat in 5 years. That new state of the art school is going to draw kids from just across the state line in Illinois.  

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11 minutes ago, HHF said:

Youve also got Morton, Hammond Central and Munster to the west, all in 5A.  Morton and Central are both going to improve as they get thru the consolidation.  Munster is on the way back - still a long way to go.  I think Central is going to be a threat in 5 years. That new state of the art school is going to draw kids from just across the state line in Illinois.  

I was impressed with Central when they came to play Harrison this past year.  The stepped in at the last minute to replace a team that had to pull out due to COVID issues.  They got to the field kind of later than usual due to issues on 65, but quickly warmed up and stepped in to the game.  The kids were scrappy and never quit.  Even pulled out a trick play toward the end of the game that was successful.  Never gave up.  They were a little short on numbers and depth, so I hope they are able to build that up.  The Harrison fans definitely appreciated HC stepping in and also their heart/attitude.

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