NLC - 2024 Season

[Plymouthfan91]

25 minutes ago, 00NWP said:

I take nothing away from Plymouth winning the last two weeks...bravo to them...and I really do like the direction the entire program from high school to middle school is headed.  I think they have a really bright future.  With that said...If I were betting on the ponies...Warsaw is the better team...9 out of 10 times they win that game.  They shot themselves in the foot.  In regard to NW...If NW would have had a healthy quarterback or running back...they win that game.  They lost by 4...running the exact same 2 plays on repeat with a wide receiver as a quarterback...and a linebacker as a running back...NW is the better team with a healthy team.

I think you are taking away from what Plymouth has accomplished.  We beat Warsaw 1 out of 1 times.  We beat Northwood.  Making backhanded comments to make yourself feel better doesn't change any of that.  Injuries are a part of the game and to use that as an excuse for losing means you didn't prepare your team for those situations.  

[00NWP]

Completely agree...Plymouth won both of those games and should be proud of that...and I would never try to take that away from them.  As a NW fan...I remember a certian year they won State...there were those that thought they shouldn't have been there.  I was just replying to your question as to why people are counting Plymouth out.  I have no dog in the fight any longer when it comes to making myself feel better about a high school football game.  I'm just a fan of the NLC and making weekly observations / thoughts.

[00NWP]

The final week of the regular season is already here...that went fast.  Last week there were no real shockers in the NLC...I will say NW being up by 21 at one point was shocking...but Warsaw then did what Warsaw does.  Here my my thoughts on the last week's matchups before the second season.

Concord at Plymouth: Plymouth will finish the season at the least .500 this year no matter what happens the last two games.  It has been sometime and hopefully they will build on this season and it will carry over the next couple of years. Congratulations to Concord...outright NLC Champs win or lose this game.  I don't think Concord will have much trouble in this game and will win it fairly easily.  Concord 38 Plymouth 10

Goshen at NorthWood: Odd season for NW this year.  With all the injuries, the one plus side is the younger fellas are getting some varsity experience.  Last week that freshman QB that started the game held it together for a while and NW was up by 21...no one saw that coming.  But then Warsaw did Warsaw and ran all over NW scoring at will against NW's defense.  I have no idea if or when any of NW's starters will be back to playing...with that said, I think Goshen may keep it close, however, NW will win in a close one.  NW 23 Goshen 14

Mishawaka at Wawasee: Tough season for the boys by the lake. Mishawaka has looked great some weeks and then plays a headscratcher.  This game will give Mishawaka a little breather headed into the playoffs giving those with some bumps and bruises a rest Mishawaka 45 Wawasee 7

Warsaw at Northridge: Probably the best matchup of the week.  I don't understand Warsaw's defense.  We all know they are coached well and they have the size...but that side Warsaw's team is unimpressive.  If they can shore up that defense...they would be force to be dealt with.  Its been a disappointing season for NR and they will more than likely finish under .500 for the first time in a while.  With that said, I like them in this game at home.  I think their defense will play well enough to slow down Warsaw...and they will score on that Warsaw's D.  Northridge 31 Warsaw 28

 

[00NWP]

The second season starts Friday and it it kind of a repeat of the season in regard to the NLC.

Sectional 18 welcomes a couple of South Bend schools while Sectional 11 welcomes FW North.

To the NLC schools in Sectional 18, NorthWood got the best draw when it comes to playing a couple more weeks.  Even with all of their injuries, I think they play for  a sectional championship. Washington and Riley are just bad.  St. Joe is probably on the same level as NW.  The top bracket of 18 is a bit better than the bottom.  I don't see Mishawaka losing to any of those teams (sorry Northridge / Plymouth) and should make their way into the championship...where they will face NW...and they will run all over NW.  

Sectional 11 gets a bye this week, however, I feel like there will be a rematch of the in season game that Warsaw lost by 4.  If all goes as it should in that sectional...Concord will host Warsaw for the sectional championship.  While a lot of folks are picking Concord to make a run in 5a this year (rightfully so as they have a heck of a team)...I am going with Warsaw actually having the advantage playing AT Concord.  The weather will be different when that game rolls around...and playing on grass in northern Indiana weather...I think as long as Warsaw protects the ball...they win that game.

Its been an interesting year in the NLC with Plymouth showing such great improvement.  I think everyone knew they would be better...but they far exceeded my expectations.  Concord wins an outright title which is typically hard to accomplish in the NLC as the top is usually pretty even.  NW and Northridge had down years, but each team has a bright outlook as they appear to have some younger fellas getting some playing time...that should pay off next year.  Wawasee, hopefully the guys buy into that offense, as they have the athletic ability and size to complete.  The one negative is...poor Goshen...they need to do better.  They...were...awful this year and I will leave it at that.  Mishawaka and or Concord / Warsaw have the best chances of representing the NLC throughout the tourney...and I look forward to cheering whichever teams are still playing each week.

[NLCTigerFan07]

Sorry I have not been as active this season as years past. Fingers crossed Concord and NorthWood win this week to guarantee 2 NLC sectional champions. Always a shame this time of year, especially with Warsaw now in 5A, that all the conference is thrown into 2 sectionals. Back in the day when there were just 5 classes, it was nice when the NLC was spread across 3 classes, which allowed the opportunity for more sectional champions from our conference.

No surprises last week as the 4A games went as excepted. Could potentially see a few better games this week, but it would be quite the surprise to not see Warsaw, Concord, Mishawaka, and NorthWood all win, which should set up for some great sectional championship games.

[Slick John Picanos]

People seem a little too nervous about the playoffs to comment as we enter November.  Either that, or they were too busy reading the banter on the Danville controversey (which got locked just as it was getting interesting if you are into that Jerry Springer sort of thing).  I'll see if I can't bring a little spark of life to the party- even if I don't have the same resources as Diddy.  

Sectional Semi-Finals!!! With actual Fall weather!!!

Goshen @ Warsaw- Well Goshen, at least you lasted longer through the tournament than your neighbors up SR 15 in Middlebury.  Warsaw obviously preparing for a potential run in a winnable sectional for them.  

Concord @ FW Northside- Along with the Snider vs. Elkhart game, this is going to say a lot about the quality of football between the two areas.  Or maybe it won't!  Longest road trip for any of the NLC teams this week, which isn't something that teams generally love to hear.  This game will be closer than people think for longer than people think. 

Plymouth @ Mishawaka- Another game that could be an interesting matchup if Plymouth can score some points.  I'm not sure who it benefits more to play a second time in terms of seeing the uniqueness of Mishawaka's offense as an advantage for Plymouth, or for Mishawaka seeing Plymouth's defense a second time.  I'll lean to Mishawaka here with their experience. 

Northwood @ St. Joseph- I know that Northwood has been dealing with some injuries this season- at least they aren't postseason suspensions.... I do not, however, know much about the artist formerly known as the Indians but they do, in fact, come in with a winning record against a smorgasboard of different quality of opponents.  If Northwood loses, they will have a losing record for the first time in Nate Andrew's tenure.  I'll let my NLC bias convince me that Northwood wins a close one. 

Northridge and Wawasee- See link below: 

 

[NLCTigerFan07]

Always love a @Slick John Picanos sighting - glad you're still here and posting!

Excited for the two matchups this Friday night. It will be interesting to see if Warsaw's previous experience of already playing at Concord helps them. Vice versa, is there any chance that NorthWood playing at home can keep the game tighter than the regular season matchup that was AT Mishawaka.

[Bobref]

1 hour ago, NLCTigerFan07 said:

Always love a @Slick John Picanos sighting - glad you're still here and posting!

Excited for the two matchups this Friday night. It will be interesting to see if Warsaw's previous experience of already playing at Concord helps them. Vice versa, is there any chance that NorthWood playing at home can keep the game tighter than the regular season matchup that was AT Mishawaka.

Love to hear some chatter about the Mishawaka - Northwood game. I will be in the house.

[00NWP]

Warsaw at Concord:  Having seen both teams a couple of times here are my thoughts:  Concord has the size and talent to win this game (and many more), however, their offense at times looks brilliant, and at others they seem to stall out and underperform.  Warsaw...their offense just like to shoot themselves in the foot on a regular basis. Their Defense does the exact same thing. The weather looks fantastic Friday night, so I don't think it will effect either teams game plans.  If both teams play to the level that they should...I like Warsaw to win the rematch.  I am betting Warsaw cleans things up and wins this in a close game. Warsaw 31 Concord 21

Mishawaka at NorthWood: In the 1st meeting, NW made it look interesting for a couple of minutes...but then did NW stuff and got handled pretty well.  NW's defense has not show the ability to stop a misdirection offense all year.  I guess I don't understand why, when you play a team like Warsaw / Mishawaka...you don't load the box with people.  Make them beat you in the air.  This has been a question I have had for many years...call me old school...but I don't care for a 3 man defensive front...this is not college...NW does not have the kids that can play D Line in that type of scheme, nor the linebackers to fill gaps.  Load the box! Anywho...I would like to see NW compete in this game...but I could see a blow out.  Mishawaka 49 NW 17

[Crusty]

What a Cavemen comeback. I thought the game was over, the team did not.

[Bobref]

1 hour ago, Crusty said:

What a Cavemen comeback. I thought the game was over, the team did not.

One of the better high school football games I’ve seen in recent years. Both teams played very hard. It’s a shame someone had to lose.

[npcougar15]

Kind of a fun fact. Bart Curtis has coached at 4 schools Maconaquah, New Prairie, Mishawaka, and Warsaw. All 4 teams came home with a sectional championship last night. 

 

I believe it was Macanaquah's 1st sectional championship, New Prairies 10th, Mishawaka 17th, and Warsaw's 2nd. I believe Curtis has been apart of 10 of those championships. (2 at NP, 6 at Waka, and 2 at Warsaw)

[NLCTigerFan07]

On 11/9/2024 at 7:31 AM, Bobref said:

One of the better high school football games I’ve seen in recent years. Both teams played very hard. It’s a shame someone had to lose.

Sounds like the same as what happened a few miles north in Dunlap. Truly a fantastic game between Concord and Warsaw. The Minutemen have some SERIOUS athletes, and it showed. Everyone will look at the box score and say "wow - Warsaw dominated in the time of possession 40:13 to 7:47" but...

While that is technically true, the Tigers also had the ball on offense so much because Concord basically scored at will when they had the ball.

Concord 1st drive - 5 plays, throwing an INT on play #4
Concord 2nd drive - 2 plays, 79 yard TD run by Jaron Thomas (Concord led 7-0 with 6:54 left in Q1)
Concord 3rd drive - 0 plays, 93 yard TD kickoff return by Char'rese Brevard (Concord led 14-7 with 9:05 left in Q2)
Concord 4th drive - 1 play, 73 yard TD run by Char'rese Brevard (Concord led 21-10 with 2:36 left in Q2)
Concord 5th drive - 3 plays, unforced fumble on play #3 (Concord led 21-10 with 0:58 left in Q2) TURNING POINT OF THE GAME - THE MINUTEMEN COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY GONE UP 28-10 AT HALFTIME - INSTEAD WARSAW SCORES WITH 0:35 LEFT IN Q2 TO MAKE IT 21-17
Concord 6th drive - 1 play, QB kneel down before halftime (Concord led 21-17 at halftime)
Concord 7th drive - 4 plays, 3 & out then punt (Warsaw led 24-21 with 0:21 left in Q3)
Concord 8th drive - 3 plays, 54 yard TD run by Jaron Thomas (Concord led 28-24 with 9:17 left in Q4)
Concord 9th drive - 1 play, 40 yard multi-lateral, backyard desperation football play to end the game (Warsaw wins 31-28)

Again - nothing but impressed with both teams. Concord had an amazing squad this year with some serious talent. The Tigers executed Bart Ball to almost perfection with 1 fumble, a few offensive penalties, but MULTIPLE 4th down conversions to keep those long drives alive. The Minutemen needed just 1 single stop (or no turnover before halftime), and they win the game.

Highly recommend everyone watch this replay.

https://www.ihsaatv.org/?B=1543571

[Crusty]

2 still alive!!!

[NLCTigerFan07]

Never in my life did I truly think I'd see the day where the Warsaw Tigers are playing in Indianapolis on Thanksgiving weekend. What a postseason run this has been. Here's to hoping for one more victory!

Tough loss for Mishawaka, but the Cavemen can't hang their heads at all. They gave East Noble everything they could handle, and had opportunities to win that game.

A fun fact I saw somewhere on social media, so I apologize that I cannot site the correct person who identified this but the NLC is the ONLY conference in the state where ALL CURRENT MEMBERS have made a state championship appearance. Such a cool stat, and speaks to the historical depth of this conference.

[Crusty]

3 hours ago, NLCTigerFan07 said:

Never in my life did I truly think I'd see the day where the Warsaw Tigers are playing in Indianapolis on Thanksgiving weekend. What a postseason run this has been. Here's to hoping for one more victory!

Tough loss for Mishawaka, but the Cavemen can't hang their heads at all. They gave East Noble everything they could handle, and had opportunities to win that game.

A fun fact I saw somewhere on social media, so I apologize that I cannot site the correct person who identified this but the NLC is the ONLY conference in the state where ALL CURRENT MEMBERS have made a state championship appearance. Such a cool stat, and speaks to the historical depth of this conference.

I am absolutely sure that each and every Cavemen fan will be cheering for the Warsaw Tigers this weekend....

[Coach Lou]

Yes it is true now that Warsaw is in the state championship game every school in the NLC has made at least 1 trip to Indy.

The only conference who can make that claim.

Goshen has won it twice and Northwood and Plymouth once.

[00NWP]

With NorthWood's 2 year contract with Portage in week 2 done. Does anyone have any idea who NorthWood will play in Week 2?  Also, I am disappointed to see the Week 1 yearly match up with Jimtown come to an end.  I understand its been one sided for quite some time, but it was still a game both communities looked forward to...it reminded me of when Bremen was removed from NW's schedule.