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 14 2011, 01:01 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 |
I did a look back on John Harrell's site of the all-time series between the Pirates and the Wolves and came up with these fun facts.
Merrillville has a lopsided 16-2 (.889) record and have been victorious in their last 12 match-ups. That losing streak extends under five different head at Michigan City. The Pirates have outscored the Wolves a grotesque 599-159 all-time with four shutouts, Michigan City's worst of the brutal beat downs at the hands of Merrillville came with last season's 68-14 massacre @ Demaree Stadium. That followed a crushing 25-13 homecoming defeat in witnessed by just about entire community in 2009. City's 2-16 (.111) overall is 1-8 at home and 1-8 on the road against Merrillville. City's only two victories came in the consolidation year of 1995 19-13 @ Ames Field when Merrillville finished 5-5 and edged the Bucs 14-12 in 2000 @ Demaree Stadium when Merrillville finished 4-7. These two teams played each other twice in the 2005 "Ryan Fics" year with City falling both times on the road 42-7 in the regular season and 49-7 in the sectional semi-final, The homestanding Merrillville Pirates ended up losing in the semi-state 17-7 to Hamilton Southeastern that season. This season seems to be one of those uncharacteristically "down" years for the Pirates in which City might be able to pull out a low scoring affair. |
Sep 14 2011, 04:17 PM
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#3
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 303 Joined: 9-December 06 Member No.: 7 |
I did a look back on John Harrell's site of the all-time series between the Pirates and the Wolves, Merrillville has a lopsided 15-2 (.882) record and have been victorious in their last 11 match-ups under four different head coaches at Michigan City. The Pirates have outscored the Wolves a grotesque 563-159 all-time with the worst Michigan City beat down at the hands of Merrillville coming with last season's 68-14 massacre @ Demaree Stadium. City's (.118) overall is 1-7 at home and 1-8 on the road against Merrillville. City's only two victories came in the consolidation year of 1995 19-13 @ Ames Field when Merrillville finished 5-5 and edged the Bucs 14-12 in 2000 @ Demaree Stadium when Merrillville finished 4-7. These two teams played each other twice in the 2005 "Ryan Fics" year with City falling both times on the road 42-7 in the regular season and 49-7 in the sectional semi-final, Merrillville ended up losing in the semi-state 17-7 to Hamilton Southeastern that season. This season seems to be one of those uncharacteristically "down" years for the Pirates in which City might be able to pull out a low scoring affair. I agree with that last part. When I saw the Warren Central-Merrillville score, I didn't think much of it. WC is about the baddest team in all the land, after all. But the Pirates haven't played well since, either. I'm very interested to see this game Friday. Could be interesting. |
Sep 15 2011, 11:12 AM
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#4
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Member Group: Members Posts: 63 Joined: 26-May 11 Member No.: 1,114 |
I agree with that last part. When I saw the Warren Central-Merrillville score, I didn't think much of it. WC is about the baddest team in all the land, after all. But the Pirates haven't played well since, either. I'm very interested to see this game Friday. Could be interesting. Even though the outcomes of the games have not been in the Wolves favor--they have been competetive and interesting games. Last year the Freshmen beat Merrillville at home in a big upset. I am hoping that this will be the year and for homecoming it would be even more special. I know we will have another exciting game this Saturday on the road with the JV Team. They are wanting to stay undefeated and from here on out will be the true test. It would be nice to see a repeat of last year. I think Lake Central will be the most difficult team we will play this season. So on this last note for the day---GO WOLVES !!! Pull your heads up and remember there are 4 quarters---play every minute like it is the last and you are on that 1 yard line-4th down, this one will win the game !! Don't give up !! |
Sep 15 2011, 12:04 PM
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#5
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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 |
Even though the outcomes of the games have not been in the Wolves favor--they have been competetive and interesting games. Last year the Freshmen beat Merrillville at home in a big upset. I am hoping that this will be the year and for homecoming it would be even more special. I know we will have another exciting game this Saturday on the road with the JV Team. They are wanting to stay undefeated and from here on out will be the true test. It would be nice to see a repeat of last year. I think Lake Central will be the most difficult team we will play this season. So on this last note for the day---GO WOLVES !!! Pull your heads up and remember there are 4 quarters---play every minute like it is the last and you are on that 1 yard line-4th down, this one will win the game !! Don't give up !! Couldn't agree more. This team is fighting and clawing. It is also starting to clean up some of the silly mistakes they were making last year. Things like being out of position and running bad routes. Their biggest problem this year has been tackling. I can't tell you how many times they have been in the right spot, and didn't finish the play. |
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