2011-2012 Official Wolves football thread |
2011-2012 Official Wolves football thread |
Jun 27 2011, 07:58 AM
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#1
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Spends WAY too much time at CBTL Group: Admin Posts: 16,460 Joined: 8-December 06 From: Michigan City, IN Member No.: 2 |
http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/613986...ick-around.html
QUOTE Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. New football coach at Michigan City. Really excited about the gig. Sees unlimited potential in the “sleeping giant.” Plans to stick around and really build something at Ames Field. Sound familiar? Craig Buzea said all that in 2007 when he stunned Portage by leaving for the downtrodden Wolves. After three years and some significant progress, he left for Homewood-Flossmoor, and the program once again was in tatters. Eric Schreiber said all that last summer when he took over for Buzea. One season and one win later, he left to take the top job at Hammond High. Enter Michael Karpinski, Michigan City’s new head coach, who was approved last week by the school board. He’s really excited about the gig. He sees unlimited potential in the “sleeping giant.” He plans to stick around and really build something at Ames Field. And he means it. Honest. “I’m excited to add some stability,” he said. “I’m not planning on going anywhere. By no means am I looking at this as a stepping stone. I’m looking to build something here. I understand people have heard that before, but you don’t understand — my wife will kill me if we move again.” Indeed, Karpinski’s no nomad. He’s no football mercenary. Heck, he only went after this job because he lost his teaching job at Franklin Central during a reduction-in-force that gutted the school district. The 43-year-old spent the last eight years coaching at Franklin Central — a former powerhouse that won four state championships between 1980 and 1990, but has fallen on hard times lately. After six years as an assistant, he was the head coach the past two years, going 7-13 with a pair of close losses in sectional openers. Before that, Karpinski coached for six years at the University of Indianapolis, where he wound up after playing cornerback at Hillsdale College. Hillsdale is about 90 miles from his hometown of Hastings, Mich., where he was a high school quarterback. Moving to Michigan City brings him much closer to home — and gives him a teaching job and an exciting opportunity. “I just feel real blessed to be right here,” he said. The Wolves can only hope he sticks around and helps the moribund program (no conference or sectional titles since Rogers and Elston were consolidated in 1995) realize the potential it briefly showed under Buzea. After just four practices, Karpinski has been particularly impressed with the enthusiasm the players have for the game, for him and for his new system. It’s easy to assume that the Wolves would be jaded and cynical while dealing with yet another new coach making the same old promises. But Karpinski was thrilled to find that they’re not like that at all. “I sure haven’t noticed it,” he said. “They sure haven’t shown it if that’s the case. They’ve been working their tails off and have done everything I’ve asked of them. I’ve come in with a lot of enthusiasm, and they seem to have responded.” Karpinski made a good impression with his first practice. Rather than the usual morning workout, he brought his team to Ames Field — probably the coolest football stadium in the region — under the lights on Monday night. And while it took more than a half hour just to teach the kids how to warm up and break the huddle — “baby steps,” Karpinski said — things quickly came together. He introduced the players to his offense — a traditional power-I. Not as complicated as Buzea’s multiple-set spread offense, not as one-dimensional as Schreiber’s option. “It’s basic football,” Karpinski said. “In today’s game, it seems like a lot of coaches try to get too cute. We’re going to come out and run the football, be physical, and we’re really going to stress blocking and tackling — shoot, that’s usually what it comes down to. We’re going to play power football, fire off the ball and really be physical out there.” Karpinski insisted he’s not daunted by the enormity of the task, trying to wake up the sleeping giant. But he’s got his work cut out for him. The football program always has taken a backseat to basketball. And the relentless losing has made it even tougher to convince kids to come out for the team. Karpinski said he’s ready for all of that. He also said he’s not intimidated by the meatgrinder that is the Duneland Conference, a brutal schedule that makes rebuilding difficult — and painful. He knows the drill; at Franklin Central, he played state powers Lawrence Central, Pike and Columbus North every year. “I just know it’s an unbelievable conference, and I’m excited,” Karpinski said. “I’m ready for the challenge.” Heard that before, too, right? Every coach has said that. But the hard truth is nobody in the 16-year history of Michigan City High School has proven to be up to that challenge. Not for any extended period of time, at least. Will Karpinski be any different? He sure seems to think so. But, of course, it’s too early for anyone to tell. He won’t really get a feel for how well his new players can handle his system until they put on the pads in August. And the Wolves won’t really get a feel for Karpinski until they sweat their way through those two-a-days. But Karpinski feels good about what he has. And while he knows these kids and this community have been burned before, he hopes the feeling is mutual. “Kids are the same all over,” he said. “I think these kids are really looking for someone to step up and lead and fight for them. And I’m that guy.” |
Sep 2 2011, 11:58 PM
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#2
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Really Comfortable Group: Members Posts: 2,006 Joined: 6-July 09 From: In Front of a computer screen Member No.: 929 |
http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/743194...higan-city.html
QUOTE Chesterton racks up yardage in win over Michigan City By Tom Wyatt Post-Tribune correspondent September 2, 2011 11:54PM Reprints Share Updated: September 2, 2011 11:54PM MICHIGAN CITY — Joe Troop was just as surprised as everybody else when the punt landed in his hands late in the second quarter on Friday. The Chesterton junior already has a reputation for being a dangerous punt returner. And Michigan City had made every effort to kick away from Troop on its first four punts. But not this time, and the Wolves paid. Troop took the punt return 67 yards for a score after darting to his left, getting a huge block that sprung him, and then cutting back across the field and sprinting to the end zone with 1:04 left in the second quarter. It sucked the life out of Michigan City and gave Chesterton a 28-point halftime cushion that turned into a 48-14 Trojans victory in a Duneland Conference opener. “We say that the offense can do what they do, and the defense can do what they do,” said Troop who returned a punt 43 yards for a TD last week against Munster. “But special teams have to step up.” Chesterton (2-1) was equally as impressive on offense and defense, compiling 435 yards of offense, including 316 on the ground. Troop set the tone early at wingback, and when the Wolves (1-2) started keying on him, QB Chris Katsafaros and wingback Adam Lara picked up the slack. Meanwhile, Chesterton fullback Zach Jenks made the most of his carries. He touched the ball four times and scored three times on runs of 18, 5 and 38 yards. Katsafaros led the way with 100 yards on the ground, and 65 came on the first two plays of the third quarter when he scored on a 41-yard TD sprint. Lara added a 22-yard touchdown run. “We know how the DAC is,” Trojans coach John Snyder said. “Things get tougher and tougher from here on out. You have to be able to play tough on tough.” Defensively, Chesterton was impressive for the second straight week. Michigan City didn’t get on the board until late in the third quarter when quarterback Joel Hirsch found Josh Gondeck in the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown pass. The Wolves added a fourth-quarter score when Hirsch sneaked in from a yard out. “We took a couple steps back this week,” Michigan City coach Michael Karpinski said. “We didn’t execute anything, really. Chesterton didn’t do anything we didn’t see on film. It just came down to execution.” |
Sep 8 2011, 09:22 PM
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#3
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Member Group: Members Posts: 63 Joined: 26-May 11 Member No.: 1,114 |
I know the JV and Freshman don't mean much but the Michigan City JV are 3-0 and Freshmen beat Chesterton tonight. The JV game at Chesterton last Saturday was very exciting--HOT one too. I have heard some wins are happening at the Middle school level as well. I wish the Varsity could get things to come together for them soon. To beat Valpo at home would be a grand victory. GO WOLVES !!! |
Sep 9 2011, 01:27 PM
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#4
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Really Comfortable Group: Members Posts: 2,006 Joined: 6-July 09 From: In Front of a computer screen Member No.: 929 |
I know the JV and Freshman don't mean much but the Michigan City JV are 3-0 and Freshmen beat Chesterton tonight. The JV game at Chesterton last Saturday was very exciting--HOT one too. I have heard some wins are happening at the Middle school level as well. I wish the Varsity could get things to come together for them soon. To beat Valpo at home would be a grand victory. GO WOLVES !!! Valpo has got to be the wost place for the team to take a loss, take it from me, I've had to witness that gut wrenching heartbreak just way too many times throughout my lifetime. The most painful part is after the team heads off the field and walks together through the stadium gate and into the parking lot and their cleats make this sound on the asphalt, it's like the team is a heard of cattle being lead to slaughter, it goes: CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK, CLICKITY CLACK.... Then after taking the march of death the team hops aboard that yellow submarine and has to take another long sad bus ride all the way back home to Michigan City. Thank goodness that unless the Wolves draw Valpo again in the sectional this will be the last time Michigan City will have to face Mark Hoffman as the Vikings head football coach because that's exactly what type of anguish that man will put you through. This has been another motivational and inspirational pep talk from taxthedeer. |
Sep 9 2011, 02:26 PM
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#5
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Member Group: Members Posts: 101 Joined: 12-September 09 Member No.: 954 |
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Sep 9 2011, 02:39 PM
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Spends WAY too much time at CBTL Group: Admin Posts: 16,460 Joined: 8-December 06 From: Michigan City, IN Member No.: 2 |
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Sep 9 2011, 03:01 PM
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#7
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Member Group: Members Posts: 101 Joined: 12-September 09 Member No.: 954 |
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Sep 9 2011, 03:52 PM
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#8
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Really Comfortable Group: Members Posts: 2,006 Joined: 6-July 09 From: In Front of a computer screen Member No.: 929 |
I assumed that, but what was the diatribe leading up to it? |
Sep 9 2011, 04:49 PM
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#9
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Member Group: Members Posts: 101 Joined: 12-September 09 Member No.: 954 |
I'm just merely sharing my life experiences in order to help our young people cope with an improbable defeat. My advice to coach Karpinski, since he seems unfamiliar with life in the Duneland conference, would be for him to instruct the team to remove their cleats before stepping out into the parking lot after it's all over. "in order to help our young people cope with an improbable defeat." eh? C'mon man! In regards to sharing your life experiences in order to help our young people, please stop. There are times when silence is the best form of support... May the Wolves win this evening, just as they did during their most recent trip to Valparaiso High School... Yes, victory isn't likely, but don't bestow defeat upon the kids before opening kickoff... |
Sep 9 2011, 09:28 PM
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#10
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Really Comfortable Group: Members Posts: 2,006 Joined: 6-July 09 From: In Front of a computer screen Member No.: 929 |
"in order to help our young people cope with an improbable defeat." eh? C'mon man! In regards to sharing your life experiences in order to help our young people, please stop. There are times when silence is the best form of support... May the Wolves win this evening, just as they did during their most recent trip to Valparaiso High School... Yes, victory isn't likely, but don't bestow defeat upon the kids before opening kickoff... For what it's worth, It should be a great homecoming game with Merrillville next week. |
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