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Posted by: Southsider2k12 Jul 10 2012, 12:07 PM

Of course the first post of the season is a sad one. Jr WR Donnie Wilson is going to miss a big chunk of the season with a torn up, and surgically repaired, thumb, according to his facebook page. That is too bad as he is one of the most talented kids we have coming back.

Posted by: MC Born & Raised Jul 10 2012, 01:03 PM

QUOTE(Southsider2k12 @ Jul 10 2012, 12:07 PM)

Of course the first post of the season is a sad one. Jr WR Donnie Wilson is going to miss a big chunk of the season with a torn up, and surgically repaired, thumb, according to his facebook page. That is too bad as he is one of the most talented kids we have coming back.

This is awful news. As you know, I think quite highly of Wilson's ability. The kid has a future as a WR, imo. This stinks. He's a terrific kid, too.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Jul 10 2012, 01:14 PM

QUOTE(MC Born & Raised @ Jul 10 2012, 02:03 PM)

This is awful news. As you know, I think quite highly of Wilson's ability. The kid has a future as a WR, imo. This stinks. He's a terrific kid, too.

Yeah, the two biggest things to be excited about for City this year were Java Oliver and Donnie Wilson.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Jul 10 2012, 02:40 PM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Jul 10 2012, 03:34 PM)

I wouldn't be too concerned. . . he only uses one arm to catch a pass anyway. Hopefully this wasn't that arm. Did he hurt it playing basketball(AAU) as he looked fine at practice last week.

Donnie said he hurt it playing football and that he was going to miss about half of the season.

QUOTE

iight i hope yall ready for tthis *sigh........ i broke my thumb in 2 places.... dislocated it and tore the ligaments and tendents in it...i have to have a plate in it so that means surgery so umm yup i have no pixs of it so dont asked and ummmy july is done (6 to 8 weeks)

imma miss my wolves yo.! #in so much pain.

QUOTE

Good news I will be having my surgery tomorrow.... Bad news is that i will be missing half the season :/

Posted by: MC Born & Raised Jul 10 2012, 02:50 PM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Jul 10 2012, 02:48 PM)

If he has the surgery he might as well stay out this year fully recover and get ready for basketball. Come back strong for a senior season. Always sorry to see an injury but that is part of the game. The Wolves are thin everywhere and this could be a bad omen. Two years ago they had about 20 kids hurt before the season ended. Who knows they may have a young kid who can step up and contribute. You never want to lose a returning starter so this is just one more question mark for the upcoming season. Probably a question of just as much concern would be who is going to get the ball to the receivers and will they have enough time to drop back?

I'm anxious to see Ryan Washington under center, if he gets that opportunity this season. That kid, like his brother, has a lot of physical tools. Hopefully he takes full advantage of them.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Jul 10 2012, 05:36 PM

QUOTE(MC Born & Raised @ Jul 10 2012, 03:50 PM)

--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jesse B @ Jul 10 2012, 02:48 PM)

</div><div class='quotemain'>
If he has the surgery he might as well stay out this year fully recover and get ready for basketball. Come back strong for a senior season. Always sorry to see an injury but that is part of the game. The Wolves are thin everywhere and this could be a bad omen. Two years ago they had about 20 kids hurt before the season ended. Who knows they may have a young kid who can step up and contribute. You never want to lose a returning starter so this is just one more question mark for the upcoming season. Probably a question of just as much concern would be who is going to get the ball to the receivers and will they have enough time to drop back?
I'm anxious to see Ryan Washington under center, if he gets that opportunity this season. That kid, like his brother, has a lot of physical tools. Hopefully he takes full advantage of them.

Ryan is pretty raw. He is going to be a bit of a project IMO. He has some physical tools for sure, and I sure would feel better if he was 6'3" like Rodney.

Posted by: taxthedeer Jul 10 2012, 07:07 PM

I want to wish a speedy recovery to Mr. Donnie Wilson. His health and well being is first and foremost.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Jul 11 2012, 10:13 AM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Jul 11 2012, 10:54 AM)

I agree. Rest up, rehabilitate, do your physical therapy when you are cleared and get ready for basketball this winter. You don't want to rush a thumb, wrist, hand injury if you are a receiver. It would be similar to a pitcher/QB with an elbow or shoulder injury coming back too soon.

yep. Resist the urge to get back on the field too soon, and to do permanent damage.

Posted by: MC Born & Raised Jul 11 2012, 12:44 PM

QUOTE(Southsider2k12 @ Jul 11 2012, 10:13 AM)

--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jesse B @ Jul 11 2012, 10:54 AM)

</div><div class='quotemain'>
I agree. Rest up, rehabilitate, do your physical therapy when you are cleared and get ready for basketball this winter. You don't want to rush a thumb, wrist, hand injury if you are a receiver. It would be similar to a pitcher/QB with an elbow or shoulder injury coming back too soon.
yep. Resist the urge to get back on the field too soon, and to do permanent damage.

There's no reason to sit out just because. If he's cleared by doctors he should get on the field. But only when he's cleared by his doctor.

In my opinion, this kid's future is in football — or at least he has a better shot at a good scholarship in football than in basketball — and the junior year is HUGE for recruiting purposes. I'm sure he, his parents and coaches are well aware of that. Not that they'll push him back too fast, but scouts are going to want to see something on tape if at all possible from the junior year.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Jul 12 2012, 08:48 AM

QUOTE(MC Born & Raised @ Jul 11 2012, 01:44 PM)

There's no reason to sit out just because. If he's cleared by doctors he should get on the field. But only when he's cleared by his doctor.

In my opinion, this kid's future is in football — or at least he has a better shot at a good scholarship in football than in basketball — and the junior year is HUGE for recruiting purposes. I'm sure he, his parents and coaches are well aware of that. Not that they'll push him back too fast, but scouts are going to want to see something on tape if at all possible from the junior year.

The City training staff has always struck me as fairly conservative. I can't ever recall them sending a player back out there too early. Which when you are dealing with kids this age, who will probably never play again after high school, is the right thing to do.

I do agree that Wilson's future is on the gridiron. Unless he finds an outside shot, or some handles, he is a back of the bench HS basketball player.

Posted by: taxthedeer Jul 12 2012, 02:20 PM

Just a reminder that Giorgio Karallas will be among the competitors tomorrow evening at the Grange Insurance North-South All-Star Classic at North Central High School in Indianapolis. Taylor James from La Porte will also be playing. The game can be seen online at www.broadcastsport.net

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Jul 12 2012, 02:21 PM

Good luck to Giorgio. City is going to miss that kid this year.

Posted by: taxthedeer Jul 17 2012, 08:09 PM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Jul 17 2012, 08:44 PM)

I read where Giorgio was absent from the North-South All Star game along with 3 or 4 other North players. Too bad. I also heard the Wolves had a scrimmage against Homewood-Floosmor today. Did anyone go and how did they look?

Many of them were already at college.

Posted by: taxthedeer Jul 20 2012, 05:40 PM

Picked up my copy of the 2012 Indiana Football Digest at Reader's World inside the Marquette Dungeon this afternoon. One thing I noticed is coach Jeff Karras will not be returning to the Wolves sideline this season after his much ballyhooed departure from South Central to come here last season.

Here's Paul R. Condry's profile of the 2012 Michigan City Wolves:

Head Coach:

Michael Karpinski
4th Season
Overall Record 8-22 (.266)
Record at MCHS: 1-9 (.100)
High School: Hastings (MI) (1987)
College: Hillsdale (1991)

Coaching Staff: Scott Ormsley (DC), Doug Robertson, Ron Gaston, Willie Henderson, Nick Stimac, Mike Walker, Tim Gault, Bill Karpinski

2012 Schedule:

8/17 GARY ROOSEVELT
8/24 at South Bend Washington
8/31 at Chesterton
9/7 VALPARAISO
9/14 at Merrillville
9/21 LAKE CENTRAL
9/28 at Portage
10/5 LA PORTE
10/12 CROWN POINT

2011 Results

Gary Roosevelt W, 46-0
South Bend Washington L, 40-21
Chesterton L, 48-14
at Valparaiso L, 38-21
Merrillville L, 38-0
at Lake Central L, 35-9
Portage L, 12-7
at La Porte L, 28-14
at Crown Point L, 24-7
SECTIONAL
Chesterton L, 28-7

Impact Players
Name, HT, WT, Class, Position
Ryan Washington 6-0, 180, So., QB
Anthony Lemon 6-0, 170, Jr. QB/DB
Ryan Jones 5-9, 170, Jr., RB
Marcus Horton Jr. 5-6, 155, Jr., RB
Cameron McFarrin 5-6, 155 Sr., RB
Donovan Wilson, 6-3, 185, Jr., WR
Scott Kaletha, 6-1, 175, Jr., WR
Joe Kosakowski, 6-3, 185, Sr., WR
Marquis Martin, 5-11, 165, Sr., WR
Marcus Swartzlander, 200, Sr., TE
Scott Paull, 6-1, 225, Jr., OL
Alante Nichols, 5-11, 265, Sr., OL
Hunter Worblewski, 6-4, 270, So., OL
Lu Wang, 6-1, 230, Sr. OL/LS
Jacob Kubath, 6-2, 255, Jr. OL
Ryan Venters, 6-3, 290, So, OL
JaVarrie Oliver, 6-3, 230, Jr., DL
James Washington, 5-10, 225, Sr. DL
Daniel Lemon, 6-2, 240, Sr., DL/P
Michael Simmons, 5-11, 270, Sr., DL
C.J. Sanders, 5-10, 205, Sr., LB
Erik Rose, 6-2, 215, Sr., LB
Joe Fox, 5-9, 200, Sr., LB
Jacob Hauskins, 5-10, 165, Sr., DB
Zakery Chappell, 5-11, 170, Sr., DB
Erik Stevenson, 6-1, 170, Jr. K

Key Losses

Name Pos College
Giorgio Karallas LB St. Joseph's
Trent Ormsby, DL Marian
Kevin Kreigbaum OL Benedictine
Josh Gondeck TE Marian
Anthony Catchings III RB/LB
Marcellus Willis DB Indianapolis
Joel Hirsch QB

Tournament History
Sectional: None
Regional: None
Semistate: None
State: None

Michigan City had their third different head coach in 2011 as Michael Karpinski took over the Wolves program. Unfortunately for the Wolves, it was a rough start under Karpinski as they struggled through a 1-9 season, with their lone victory a 46-0 decision over Gary Roosevelt in the season opener. The stability of having the same coach for the second straight season should help the Wolves be a much better team this year, and having 15 returning starters back under his system can only benefit the Michigan City team in 2012 as well.

Sophomore Ryan Washington got a few starts last year, and returns as the Wolves' quarterback this year. Junior Ryan Jones appears to have secured the starting running back position for Michigan City this season.. Two of the team's top athletes return at wide receiver in juniors Scott Kaletha (6'1, 175) and Donovan Wilson (6'3 ,185). The Wolves have three starters back along the offensive line from last year as tackle Jacob Kubath (6'2, 265) returns for his junior year and is joined by returning senior guards Alante Nichols (5'11, 265) and Lu Wang (6'1, 230). Junior Scott Paull steps in to replace All-Duneland performer Kevin Kreighbaum at center for the Wolves this season.

Nine starters are back defensivly for Coach Karpinski's 3-5 scheme this season. The defensive line should be solid as junior Javarrie Oliver and senior James Washington return at the end spots, while senior Daniel Lemon is back at the nose tackle spot. All-State linebacker Giorgio Karallas has moved to St. Joseph's College; however, seniors Erik Rose and C.J. Sanders return at linebacker this season for Michigan City, while in the secondary, seniors Jacob Hauskins and Zach Chappell return, as does junior Anthony Lemon. Daniel Lemon will also handle the punting duties for the Wolves while junior Erik Stevenson returns as the placekicker.

Coach Karpinski has a solid group of juniors and seniors and says his team is very coachable and understands the team concept very well. Combine that with an unbeaten freshman class, and things could be looking up for the Wolves in the future. "If we can continue to play at a high level for four quarters, and not just in spurts, we'll be successful," he says of this year's team. "I'm excited about our skill players, and if they can make plays, and our young offensive line can come together, we'll be ok."

Posted by: taxthedeer Jul 30 2012, 03:43 AM

The August issue of MAB monthly has the 2012 Region Football Preview including a feature article entitled "Fun Facts About Michigan City Football" by yours truly.

http://midamericabroadcasting.com/files/August2012_MAB_Monthly.pdf

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Jul 31 2012, 08:43 AM

Well Donnie Wilson will be out the first half of the season due to thumb surgery. Let's hope we have other skill players ready to step in. A lot of this season will rest of the arm and legs of Ryan Washington.

Posted by: MSFOOTBALL Aug 1 2012, 07:30 AM

[font=Times New Roman][size=4]

QUOTE(taxthedeer @ Jul 20 2012, 05:40 PM)

Picked up my copy of the 2012 Indiana Football Digest at Reader's World inside the Marquette Dungeon this afternoon. One thing I noticed is coach Jeff Karras will not be returning to the Wolves sideline this season after his much ballyhooed departure from South Central to come here last season.

Here's Paul R. Condry's profile of the 2012 Michigan City Wolves:

Head Coach:

Michael Karpinski
4th Season
Overall Record 8-22 (.266)
Record at MCHS: 1-9 (.100)
High School: Hastings (MI) (1987)
College: Hillsdale (1991)

Coaching Staff: Scott Ormsley (DC), Doug Robertson, Ron Gaston, Willie Henderson, Nick Stimac, Mike Walker, Tim Gault, Bill Karpinski

2012 Schedule:

8/17 GARY ROOSEVELT
8/24 at South Bend Washington
8/31 at Chesterton
9/7 VALPARAISO
9/14 at Merrillville
9/21 LAKE CENTRAL
9/28 at Portage
10/5 LA PORTE
10/12 CROWN POINT

2011 Results

Gary Roosevelt W, 46-0
South Bend Washington L, 40-21
Chesterton L, 48-14
at Valparaiso L, 38-21
Merrillville L, 38-0
at Lake Central L, 35-9
Portage L, 12-7
at La Porte L, 28-14
at Crown Point L, 24-7
SECTIONAL
Chesterton L, 28-7

Impact Players
Name, HT, WT, Class, Position
Ryan Washington 6-0, 180, So., QB
Anthony Lemon 6-0, 170, Jr. QB/DB
Ryan Jones 5-9, 170, Jr., RB
Marcus Horton Jr. 5-6, 155, Jr., RB
Cameron McFarrin 5-6, 155 Sr., RB
Donovan Wilson, 6-3, 185, Jr., WR
Scott Kaletha, 6-1, 175, Jr., WR
Joe Kosakowski, 6-3, 185, Sr., WR
Marquis Martin, 5-11, 165, Sr., WR
Marcus Swartzlander, 200, Sr., TE
Scott Paull, 6-1, 225, Jr., OL
Alante Nichols, 5-11, 265, Sr., OL
Hunter Worblewski, 6-4, 270, So., OL
Lu Wang, 6-1, 230, Sr. OL/LS
Jacob Kubath, 6-2, 255, Jr. OL
Ryan Venters, 6-3, 290, So, OL
JaVarrie Oliver, 6-3, 230, Jr., DL
James Washington, 5-10, 225, Sr. DL
Daniel Lemon, 6-2, 240, Sr., DL/P
Michael Simmons, 5-11, 270, Sr., DL
C.J. Sanders, 5-10, 205, Sr., LB
Erik Rose, 6-2, 215, Sr., LB
Joe Fox, 5-9, 200, Sr., LB
Jacob Hauskins, 5-10, 165, Sr., DB
Zakery Chappell, 5-11, 170, Sr., DB
Erik Stevenson, 6-1, 170, Jr. K

Key Losses

Name Pos College
Giorgio Karallas LB St. Joseph's
Trent Ormsby, DL Marian
Kevin Kreigbaum OL Benedictine
Josh Gondeck TE Marian
Anthony Catchings III RB/LB
Marcellus Willis DB Indianapolis
Joel Hirsch QB

Tournament History
Sectional: None
Regional: None
Semistate: None
State: None

Michigan City had their third different head coach in 2011 as Michael Karpinski took over the Wolves program. Unfortunately for the Wolves, it was a rough start under Karpinski as they struggled through a 1-9 season, with their lone victory a 46-0 decision over Gary Roosevelt in the season opener. The stability of having the same coach for the second straight season should help the Wolves be a much better team this year, and having 15 returning starters back under his system can only benefit the Michigan City team in 2012 as well.

Sophomore Ryan Washington got a few starts last year, and returns as the Wolves' quarterback this year. Junior Ryan Jones appears to have secured the starting running back position for Michigan City this season.. Two of the team's top athletes return at wide receiver in juniors Scott Kaletha (6'1, 175) and Donovan Wilson (6'3 ,185). The Wolves have three starters back along the offensive line from last year as tackle Jacob Kubath (6'2, 265) returns for his junior year and is joined by returning senior guards Alante Nichols (5'11, 265) and Lu Wang (6'1, 230). Junior Scott Paull steps in to replace All-Duneland performer Kevin Kreighbaum at center for the Wolves this season.

Nine starters are back defensivly for Coach Karpinski's 3-5 scheme this season. The defensive line should be solid as junior Javarrie Oliver and senior James Washington return at the end spots, while senior Daniel Lemon is back at the nose tackle spot. All-State linebacker Giorgio Karallas has moved to St. Joseph's College; however, seniors Erik Rose and C.J. Sanders return at linebacker this season for Michigan City, while in the secondary, seniors Jacob Hauskins and Zach Chappell return, as does junior Anthony Lemon. Daniel Lemon will also handle the punting duties for the Wolves while junior Erik Stevenson returns as the placekicker.

Coach Karpinski has a solid group of juniors and seniors and says his team is very coachable and understands the team concept very well. Combine that with an unbeaten freshman class, and things could be looking up for the Wolves in the future. "If we can continue to play at a high level for four quarters, and not just in spurts, we'll be successful," he says of this year's team. "I'm excited about our skill players, and if they can make plays, and our young offensive line can come together, we'll be ok."

Posted by: MSFOOTBALL Aug 1 2012, 08:10 AM

Yes we will miss Donnie but unfortunately injuries do happen. He is still part of our team and we look forward to when he is healed. I need to get down and pick up my copy of this magazine, thank you for posting it. Incase everyone has forgotten--our Wolves JV team went 6-3 last year. They are very proud of this and plan on doing the same this year. Yes there is work to be done but this is the first year we have had depth in the line and not just a couple key players. It is more important to have a team that plays well together because they are equal than to have one stand out. The bottom line is---no matter how well prepared your team is there will be hurdles to jump. The important part is to get the kids willing to go the highest they can, all game and all season. Hope to see everyone at Friday nights scrimmage and there will be Wolves glasses, stadium blankets and lunch coolers for sale that evening. We need to get this town fired up and get the adrenaline going. GO WOLVES !!!

Posted by: MSFOOTBALL Aug 1 2012, 08:16 AM

QUOTE(MSFOOTBALL @ Aug 1 2012, 07:30 AM)

[font=Times New Roman][size=4]

[size=6]
Thank you for posting. We are very excited to see this season and hope that everyone comes out to the games on Friday nights or JV on Saturday mornings to support this great group of young men.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Aug 1 2012, 08:23 AM

QUOTE(MSFOOTBALL @ Aug 1 2012, 09:10 AM)

Yes we will miss Donnie but unfortunately injuries do happen. He is still part of our team and we look forward to when he is healed. I need to get down and pick up my copy of this magazine, thank you for posting it. Incase everyone has forgotten--our Wolves JV team went 6-3 last year. They are very proud of this and plan on doing the same this year. Yes there is work to be done but this is the first year we have had depth in the line and not just a couple key players. It is more important to have a team that plays well together because they are equal than to have one stand out. The bottom line is---no matter how well prepared your team is there will be hurdles to jump. The important part is to get the kids willing to go the highest they can, all game and all season. Hope to see everyone at Friday nights scrimmage and there will be Wolves glasses, stadium blankets and lunch coolers for sale that evening. We need to get this town fired up and get the adrenaline going. GO WOLVES !!!

I will say one thing, for a 1-9 they played harder than any City team I have seen in a long time. It was really telling when one of the opposing coaches asked to address our huddle last year ( I want to say it was Chesterton) and talked about how hard the kids played, and how gutsy they were.

I am looking forward to the season. Hopefully the lines hold up, and allow the skill players to showcase those talents.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Aug 1 2012, 08:25 AM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Jul 31 2012, 11:17 AM)

I am not too concerned about his arm and legs but his decision making(His brother had talent too but failed to live up to it). Talent only gets you so far, you need to have the drive and not always be given things. In his defense he or many of the back ups didn't get much playing time last season. You have maybe two or three starters coming back on both sides of the ball from a 1-9 team. Not good.

Rodney was on a great arc up, but the coaching change just killed him. He really was responding in the system Buz had, but more than that, I think Buz looked to utilize his skill set better. I never saw that during Rodney's senior year. I think if the coaching staff had remained the same, Washington would be playing on a division 1 football team somewhere.

Posted by: taxthedeer Aug 1 2012, 08:28 AM

QUOTE(MSFOOTBALL @ Aug 1 2012, 09:16 AM)

[size=6]
Thank you for posting. We are very excited to see this season and hope that everyone comes out to the games on Friday nights or JV on Saturday mornings to support this great group of young men.

When you get your magazine make sure you turn it to the very last page and read Paul Condry's editorial entitled, "Are You Really In It For the Kids?" It was very well written. I especially liked the paragraph where he mentions how some of our football programs are going through three and sometimes four coaching regimes during a student athletes four year cycle of high school and if a kid can survive that type of dynamic that will be more than ready to handle any type of situation that the real working world throws at them when the time comes.

Posted by: MSFOOTBALL Aug 1 2012, 08:32 AM

QUOTE(Southsider2k12 @ Aug 1 2012, 08:25 AM)

--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jesse B @ Jul 31 2012, 11:17 AM)

</div><div class='quotemain'>
I am not too concerned about his arm and legs but his decision making(His brother had talent too but failed to live up to it). Talent only gets you so far, you need to have the drive and not always be given things. In his defense he or many of the back ups didn't get much playing time last season. You have maybe two or three starters coming back on both sides of the ball from a 1-9 team. Not good.
Rodney was on a great arc up, but the coaching change just killed him. He really was responding in the system Buz had, but more than that, I think Buz looked to utilize his skill set better. I never saw that during Rodney's senior year. I think if the coaching staff had remained the same, Washington would be playing on a division 1 football team somewhere.

The problem that plagued Rodney his senior year was that he didn't have the coverage from the line. A QB is only as good as his line allows him to be. I have heard rumors that he isn't playing football at all anymore in college.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Aug 1 2012, 08:40 AM

QUOTE(MSFOOTBALL @ Aug 1 2012, 09:32 AM)

The problem that plagued Rodney his senior year was that he didn't have the coverage from the line. A QB is only as good as his line allows him to be. I have heard rumors that he isn't playing football at all anymore in college.

Yeah, the line has always been issue number one for City. It seems like we are always 20-30 pounds smaller than everyone else's line. If we get good line play, we usually have a pretty good season.

It really would be too bad if Washington wasn't playing anymore.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Aug 1 2012, 09:31 AM

I had no idea that Washington skipped summer workouts. Well that explains a lot of why the team never seemed on the same page that season.

Posted by: Grammy515 Aug 2 2012, 09:20 AM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Aug 2 2012, 08:00 AM)

He didn't miss them all but he missed too many to be a "leader".

I didn't realize there was a BROWN team...What could you possibly mean by that?

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Aug 2 2012, 01:50 PM

QUOTE(Grammy515 @ Aug 2 2012, 10:20 AM)

--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jesse B @ Aug 2 2012, 08:00 AM)

</div><div class='quotemain'>
He didn't miss them all but he missed too many to be a "leader".
I didn't realize there was a BROWN team...What could you possibly mean by that?

Wait. Are you saying what I think you are saying?

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Aug 2 2012, 02:04 PM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Aug 2 2012, 02:55 PM)

The ex-strength and conditioning coach for Buzea and Schreiber would have to clarify what the brown team was.

I'm just saying that if I understand the context correctly, that is an incredibly serious accusation. Like libelous territory.

Posted by: Ang Aug 3 2012, 08:24 AM

I highly doubt the term "brown team" has racial connotations.

Posted by: Grammy515 Aug 3 2012, 08:51 AM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Aug 2 2012, 03:49 PM)

I think you are taking brown to mean something else which is not what you think but Cates and Schreiber would have to speak to that.

If Cates or Schreiber made the post, we could ask them to clarify "brown team" but since you made the post, I'd like to hear your explanation of "brown team"

Posted by: Grammy515 Aug 3 2012, 08:52 AM

QUOTE(Ang @ Aug 3 2012, 09:24 AM)

I highly doubt the term "brown team" has racial connotations.

I'm not so certain it doesn't....maybe if he would clarify, we'd all be in the know....

Posted by: Ang Aug 3 2012, 10:19 AM

Why would you think it's about race? Because of the use of the word brown? What if it was the "green" team? Would that have racial connotations toward the Irish?

Posted by: Grammy515 Aug 3 2012, 12:16 PM

QUOTE(Ang @ Aug 3 2012, 11:19 AM)

Why would you think it's about race? Because of the use of the word brown? What if it was the "green" team? Would that have racial connotations toward the Irish?

I read his post....re-read his post...thought about it....and that's the conclusion i came up with. I asked him to clarify because maybe I misunderstood his point. He chose to pass the buck....obvilously someone thought the same thing or they wouldn't have brought up being liable....
If he had used green, yellow, orange or any other color not associated with MCHS...I would have asked the same question.

Posted by: Red Devil Aug 3 2012, 12:23 PM

Most teams during the summer conditoning period break up into groups that is lead by a captain and compete against each other. These teams either have a color or name added to the group. They also may have to wear shirts matching there team color as a team building exercise. Example the orange team vs the red team. The winners usually get some type of awards-like the first pick of equipment or less sprints etc... I believe the brown team reference was with this in mind.

Posted by: Ang Aug 3 2012, 12:26 PM

Personally, I think he was just repeating a label someone else gave and that's why he said that person would have to clarify. I don't think Jesse is being racist. And frankly, it's attitudes like that that keep racial tension alive in this community. Brown could have been chosen as the color to denote the team because the color brown is quiet and mundane. Maybe those players aren't the best, or they are not consistent, so they are labeled as brown. If they are great players with a lot to offer, then they could be labled red or yellow.
Not everything that is said or done is about race. It's time people stop thinking that way. I know there is racism, I have been a victim of it myself, but to look for it around every corner is what helps to keep it alive.

Posted by: MC Born & Raised Aug 3 2012, 12:30 PM

QUOTE(MSFOOTBALL @ Aug 1 2012, 08:32 AM)

The problem that plagued Rodney his senior year was that he didn't have the coverage from the line. A QB is only as good as his line allows him to be. I have heard rumors that he isn't playing football at all anymore in college.

That was a factor, but shoehorning him into an option offense was the dumbest thing imaginable. It was a disaster from the start. It's like having a Ferrari but never driving it more than 20 mph. Too bad, too, because it destroyed what could have been a very good football career.

Posted by: Red Devil Aug 3 2012, 12:32 PM

QUOTE(MC Born & Raised @ Aug 3 2012, 01:30 PM)

That was a factor, but shoehorning him into an option offense was the dumbest thing imaginable. It was a disaster from the start. It's like having a Ferrari but never driving it more than 20 mph. Too bad, too, because it destroyed what could have been a very good football career.

Ya, the offense was bad. From what I remember from the playoff game was that he had a few fumbles too!

Posted by: MC Born & Raised Aug 3 2012, 12:39 PM

QUOTE(Red Devil @ Aug 3 2012, 12:32 PM)

Ya, the offense was bad. From what I remember from the playoff game was that he had a few fumbles too!

By then, his confidence was completely destroyed. That season has never sat well with me at all. You have a first-year coach, but one who was on the staff they year before and saw what Rodney was capable of, yet still completely altered the offense to fit the coach's strengths. That's why I've always admired John Snyder in Chesterton. He'll tailor his offense to the talent he has, not make them adapt to him.

Posted by: Ang Aug 3 2012, 12:44 PM

QUOTE(Red Devil @ Aug 3 2012, 01:23 PM)

Most teams during the summer conditoning period break up into groups that is lead by a captain and compete against each other. These teams either have a color or name added to the group. They also may have to wear shirts matching there team color as a team building exercise. Example the orange team vs the red team. The winners usually get some type of awards-like the first pick of equipment or less sprints etc... I believe the brown team reference was with this in mind.

Welcome to the board!

Posted by: Grammy515 Aug 3 2012, 12:54 PM

QUOTE(Ang @ Aug 3 2012, 01:26 PM)

Personally, I think he was just repeating a label someone else gave and that's why he said that person would have to clarify. I don't think Jesse is being racist. And frankly, it's attitudes like that that keep racial tension alive in this community. Brown could have been chosen as the color to denote the team because the color brown is quiet and mundane. Maybe those players aren't the best, or they are not consistent, so they are labeled as brown. If they are great players with a lot to offer, then they could be labled red or yellow.
Not everything that is said or done is about race. It's time people stop thinking that way. I know there is racism, I have been a victim of it myself, but to look for it around every corner is what helps to keep it alive.

I never referred to anyone as being a racist. I simply asked a question. Please don't judge me because i asked him what did he mean by Brown Team. You didn't even have to respond to the question...it was for him to answer. He didn't which left the door open...as I said I was not the only person to wonder what he meant. I'm sorry you've been a victim of racism...I'm probably one of the least offendable people you would ever meet but when people make statements or posts that I may not understand, I question them...if that's seeing racism around every corner then you must be on a short block.

Posted by: Grammy515 Aug 3 2012, 12:57 PM

QUOTE(Red Devil @ Aug 3 2012, 01:23 PM)

Most teams during the summer conditoning period break up into groups that is lead by a captain and compete against each other. These teams either have a color or name added to the group. They also may have to wear shirts matching there team color as a team building exercise. Example the orange team vs the red team. The winners usually get some type of awards-like the first pick of equipment or less sprints etc... I believe the brown team reference was with this in mind.

Thanks for the clarification....that's all I was asking for. While it wasn't my intention to ruffle anyone's feathers by asking for clarity, I'm not sorry for asking the question....

Posted by: Grammy515 Aug 3 2012, 01:45 PM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Aug 3 2012, 02:36 PM)

Grammy,

I think the coaches had 4 or 5 color rankings for their kids group's with respect to attendance during summer workouts, not based on race. A senior was in charge of a particular group of teammates. Navy, Grey, the poorest attended group fell into the brown category. Quite possibly brown was a reference to a piece of waste, i don't know? Maybe it was just that the lowest ranked team. The group consisted of kids who couldn't show up fro running at Mount Baldy, late to get on the bus for 7 on 7 drills, etc. The whole team would have to run for the QB's failure to show up. That is a problem brought on by the player but not correctly addressed by the coach. You can't expect underclassmen to police the senior leader.

thanks...cuz I truly didn't know what you meant....appreciate the explanation...

Posted by: Red Devil Aug 4 2012, 03:00 PM

How did the scrimmage look yesterday? I missed it.

Posted by: taxthedeer Aug 5 2012, 12:27 AM

QUOTE(Red Devil @ Aug 4 2012, 04:00 PM)

How did the scrimmage look yesterday? I missed it.

Didn't go either, too hot and had to work.

Posted by: MC Born & Raised Aug 5 2012, 05:10 PM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Aug 5 2012, 10:42 AM)

The paper says they were better organized than last year. Still a work in progress but things are hopefully getting better. It may not be reflected in win-loss record but better than 2010. Young team according to the N-D. I am not sure if that means they are playing a lot of sophomores and juniors or little varsity experience. The picture will get a little clearer after next week's scrimmage against New Prairie.

A little of both on the "young" thing. Sophomore QB, obviously, lost some good senior leaders from last year, but it's not atypical, necessarily. Still, I don't know that there will be a ton of seniors in key positions. Way too early to know anything of value, though.We'll know more on Aug. 25 after the South Bend Washington game.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Aug 8 2012, 09:59 AM

City scrimmages at New Prairie this Friday, and then opens August 17th with the newly Karros led Gary Roosevelt Panthers.

Posted by: MSFOOTBALL Aug 10 2012, 07:06 AM

QUOTE(Southsider2k12 @ Aug 8 2012, 09:59 AM)

City scrimmages at New Prairie this Friday, and then opens August 17th with the newly Karros led Gary Roosevelt Panthers.

I heard that the scrimmage starts at 6:00 pm at New Prairie. Hope to see some City support out there because even though it is a scrimmage the kids are fired up and wanting to get this season rolling. I have heard they are as excited about this season with their new coach as we are going into our second year with Coach Karpinski. Good luck to both teams and may you have a safe season. GO WOLVES !!!

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Aug 10 2012, 07:11 AM

QUOTE(MSFOOTBALL @ Aug 10 2012, 08:06 AM)

I heard that the scrimmage starts at 6:00 pm at New Prairie. Hope to see some City support out there because even though it is a scrimmage the kids are fired up and wanting to get this season rolling. I have heard they are as excited about this season with their new coach as we are going into our second year with Coach Karpinski. Good luck to both teams and may you have a safe season. GO WOLVES !!!

Any idea if that is 6 our time or their time? I made that mistake before, I can't remember which way it was.

Posted by: MSFOOTBALL Aug 10 2012, 07:14 AM

QUOTE(Southsider2k12 @ Aug 10 2012, 07:11 AM)

Any idea if that is 6 our time or their time? I made that mistake before, I can't remember which way it was.

I was told that was 6 our time.

Posted by: Red Devil Aug 11 2012, 08:43 AM

QUOTE(MSFOOTBALL @ Aug 10 2012, 08:14 AM)

I was told that was 6 our time.

Well, I went to the scrimmage and it looks like we have some work to do. NP ran right up the gut on us with ease. Also looks like we may need some help running the ball on Offense. Hopefully, this improves or it will be another long year in the Duneland.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Aug 13 2012, 06:50 AM

QUOTE(Red Devil @ Aug 11 2012, 09:43 AM)

Well, I went to the scrimmage and it looks like we have some work to do. NP ran right up the gut on us with ease. Also looks like we may need some help running the ball on Offense. Hopefully, this improves or it will be another long year in the Duneland.

It is always about the lines for City. The skill players are usually there, it is the hogs up front we need most of all.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Aug 13 2012, 09:09 AM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Aug 13 2012, 10:04 AM)

It is a team game. The line doesn't throw interceptions and drop passes. The line can't help it if a back wants to break it outside on every play instead of turning it up and getting positive yards either. On Defense, you need you LB'ers and DB's to make stops too. You can't expect your three downlinemen to get double teamed and make the tackle as well. That is why you have eight other defenders who have to do their jobs too.

I get that, but it always seems like we are 20-30 pounds smaller than the other DAC lines, and struggle at protecting the QB on drop backs, as well as getting consistent penetration and first level stops on defense.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Aug 13 2012, 10:19 AM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Aug 13 2012, 10:54 AM)

It could be your scheme on Defense as it is tough to defend an option team with 3 down lineman, but the OL last year had to average about 275 lbs. You had senior guys last year that were big/heavy(Fanson, Haro, Keighbaum, Falls-Foster, Kintigh). Is there an Adam Harmon or Ryan Fics on this team? If there is he isn't starting in the backfield currently.

It isn't just this year. It has been the story of Wolves football for a long time.

Posted by: MC Born & Raised Aug 14 2012, 11:00 PM

QUOTE(Southsider2k12 @ Aug 13 2012, 10:09 AM)

--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jesse B @ Aug 13 2012, 10:04 AM)

</div><div class='quotemain'>
It is a team game. The line doesn't throw interceptions and drop passes. The line can't help it if a back wants to break it outside on every play instead of turning it up and getting positive yards either. On Defense, you need you LB'ers and DB's to make stops too. You can't expect your three downlinemen to get double teamed and make the tackle as well. That is why you have eight other defenders who have to do their jobs too.
I get that, but it always seems like we are 20-30 pounds smaller than the other DAC lines, and struggle at protecting the QB on drop backs, as well as getting consistent penetration and first level stops on defense.

It seems that way because that's the case. Name me ONE team that's succeeded at any level of football with a bad offensive line ... doesn't happen. Ever.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Aug 15 2012, 09:40 AM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Aug 15 2012, 08:05 AM)

Size isn't always an indication of a quality O-Line either. If that were the case we could find 300-400 pound mammoths who can't move and you could win. More times than not these are the type of players that tip over and cannot get up or are as timid as a church mouse. They need to still be able to move and use proper techniques and maintain a level of aggressiveness. Why can other DAC teams develop these awesome lines and it isn't getting done here? Bad genetics or bad instruction?

I would be willing to bet two key factors are coaching instability, and lack of a feeder system teaching the same way all of the way to the beginning football stages. For this years seniors, this will be the first time they have had the same head coach for two years in a row. It will also be their 4th straight new offensive coordinator.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Aug 15 2012, 10:04 AM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Aug 15 2012, 10:54 AM)

So are we saying that these issues only effect the lineman and not the skilled players? Wouldn't new coaches and a lack of consistentcy in the feeder program equally effect a QB & RB? I would think even more.

It does affect everyone. Look at the changes in Rodney Washington from his Jr to Sr years after the coaching and system changes. He went from potentially a borderline D1 QB to mediocre.

Posted by: backwoods Aug 15 2012, 10:14 AM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Aug 15 2012, 08:05 AM)

Size isn't always an indication of a quality O-Line either. If that were the case we could find 300-400 pound mammoths who can't move and you could win. More times than not these are the type of players that tip over and cannot get up or are as timid as a church mouse. They need to still be able to move and use proper techniques and maintain a level of aggressiveness. Why can other DAC teams develop these awesome lines and it isn't getting done here? Bad genetics or bad instruction?

Crown Point, Lake Central, Merr, Valpo and some Chesterton Kids that are True Lineman at a young age attend and play for the Crown Point Bull Dog Leauge. They are not pushed aside at a young age and told they big to play football. They are developed at a young age and have alot of the fundementals down. Most of our kids in this area that are True Lineman types only get to play when they are in 7th and 8th grade. If kids are able to play pop warner, but are too heavy for their age group, they possibly could be played up and play against kids that are 2-3 years older then them. I know some will say that isnt't a big difference but if you are looking at an 8 year old against an 11 year old, its night and day. All some see is a big kid, but he is still just an 8 year old... Different learning curve... You are correct size doesnt matter to a certain degree. kids must be able to move and step with the correct foot, staying low, using their hands, staying engaged with the person that crosses their face. I attend quite a few of the Pop Warner Practices and hear alot of "Would you just block the guy In Front of you?" Not all the time, but it is said alot. I think we need to have an O Line camp here in Michigan City. At that camp, instruction for kids as well as some of the youth coaches. It may not be the fault of the youth coaches at all. They just may not have played line before. O Line is one of the hardest things to coach and one of the most important...

I believe that everyone involved from PoP Warner to the High School is triing to do the best that they can with what they got. I have never meet a Kid or a Coach in any Sport that wanted to lose or do bad....

With that good luck to all the Kids from the youth leauge to the high school in all their games...

Posted by: MC Born & Raised Aug 15 2012, 09:44 PM

The instability affects everyone, which is why everyone from lineman to skill players has struggled ... but the lineman not understanding technique or the game in general stems from them not being able to play until they reach middle school and that program has been in the dumps until this recent resurrection attempt. Pop Warner can win as much as they want and take as many trips to Disney as they want, and that's great, but MCHS won't produce a consistent winner until the line play is addressed. Whatever the solution is, it must be pursued. These kids should have a place to play from a young age just like the so-called skilled positions. And yes, other communities succeed and have good line play even with Pop Warner programs, but they also have killer middle school programs. Hopefully this resurrection effort starts to bear some fruits. It's absolutely crucial.

Posted by: MC Born & Raised Aug 15 2012, 09:46 PM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Aug 15 2012, 08:05 AM)

Size isn't always an indication of a quality O-Line either. If that were the case we could find 300-400 pound mammoths who can't move and you could win. More times than not these are the type of players that tip over and cannot get up or are as timid as a church mouse. They need to still be able to move and use proper techniques and maintain a level of aggressiveness. Why can other DAC teams develop these awesome lines and it isn't getting done here? Bad genetics or bad instruction?

Both, probably. At the high school level, it's true that size isn't everything. But when you're small and inexperienced with poor technique, well, that's a pretty bad combination.

Posted by: Red Devil Aug 16 2012, 09:54 AM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Aug 16 2012, 09:40 AM)

Pretty fired up to get some real football action tomorrow night. If what I read in the newspaper is correct it should be an exciting year for the locals. Continuity with the coaching staff and a handful of young major college prospects spells nothing but promise for the Wolves. I am going to go out on a limb and predict at a minimum a .500 record this year and a sectional title awaits in 2013. Even with a defense that needs to step up the young Wolves should be able to out score most of their opponents this year. I read where they have been outscored in the DAC by a score of 39-9 in the last two seasons. I expect scores like 42-35 with the spread gun slinger type O. I see no reason, barring injuries, where they cannot compete and beat teams like Gary, SB Washington, Valpo, Portage, LaPorte & Crown Point. All these teams expect LaPorte has a new coach so the young Wolves definitely have an advantage there and the Slicers have no offense according to reports. The arrow is pointing up. Throw in an upset of say a Lake Central team that has to travel this year to MC and 7 wins is not out of the realm of possibilities before sectionals. Go get em Wolves!! Make MC proud and sing that fight song loud after each win!! Just envision the firetruck ride back into MC after the big victory at Lucas Oil Stadium and it will become a reality. Aim high and never settle for mediocrity or less.

Sorry to be the downer here, but I expect one win, possibly two if we get lucky. We won't be able to compete against the other teams in the Duneland. Lake Central and Chesterton should win the DAC. Next year, we will have a better sectional draw since we will remain in 5A with La Porte and Chesterton, everyone else in the DAC will be bumped up to 6A. I am predicting 2-8.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Aug 16 2012, 09:57 AM

QUOTE

(Jesse B @ Aug 16 2012, 09:40 AM)

Pretty fired up to get some real football action tomorrow night. If what I read in the newspaper is correct it should be an exciting year for the locals. Continuity with the coaching staff and a handful of young major college prospects spells nothing but promise for the Wolves. I am going to go out on a limb and predict at a minimum a .500 record this year and a sectional title awaits in 2013. Even with a defense that needs to step up the young Wolves should be able to out score most of their opponents this year. I read where they have been outscored in the DAC by a score of 39-9 in the last two seasons. I expect scores like 42-35 with the spread gun slinger type O. I see no reason, barring injuries, where they cannot compete and beat teams like Gary, SB Washington, Valpo, Portage, LaPorte & Crown Point. All these teams expect LaPorte has a new coach so the young Wolves definitely have an advantage there and the Slicers have no offense according to reports. The arrow is pointing up. Throw in an upset of say a Lake Central team that has to travel this year to MC and 7 wins is not out of the realm of possibilities before sectionals. Go get em Wolves!! Make MC proud and sing that fight song loud after each win!! Just envision the firetruck ride back into MC after the big victory at Lucas Oil Stadium and it will become a reality. Aim high and never settle for mediocrity or less.

I hope you are right!

QUOTE(Red Devil @ Aug 16 2012, 10:54 AM)

Sorry to be the downer here, but I expect one win, possibly two if we get lucky. We won't be able to compete against the other teams in the Duneland. Lake Central and Chesterton should win the DAC. Next year, we will have a better sectional draw since we will remain in 5A with La Porte and Chesterton, everyone else in the DAC will be bumped up to 6A. I am predicting 2-8.

But I suspect you will be right.

Posted by: taxthedeer Aug 16 2012, 10:47 AM

Nice hearing coach Karpinski and the four Wolves team captains on the Regional Radio Sports Network coaches kickoff show on Monday night. One of the captains was asked what the Wolves have to do to be successful in 2012 and he stated, "Were not the biggest team in the conferance but we have the biggest heart." The segment with the Michigan City Wolves starts at 2 hours and 34 minutes:

http://asoaudio.net/2012Fall/audio/WEFM_8_13_12.mp3

Posted by: MC Born & Raised Aug 16 2012, 12:06 PM

City will be in a Class 5A sectional next year with East Chicago, Munster and Chesterton.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Aug 16 2012, 12:22 PM

QUOTE(taxthedeer @ Aug 16 2012, 11:47 AM)

Nice hearing coach Karpinski and the four Wolves team captains on the Regional Radio Sports Network coaches kickoff show on Monday night. One of the captains was asked what the Wolves have to do to be successful in 2012 and he stated, "Were not the biggest team in the conferance but we have the biggest heart." The segment with the Michigan City Wolves starts at 2 hours and 34 minutes:

http://asoaudio.net/2012Fall/audio/WEFM_8_13_12.mp3

Even though that was a 1-9 team last year, I really respected what those kids did. They played their asses off on each and every snap. They never quit no matter the score or the odds. It was a great bunch of kids. I really hope that carries over to 2012.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Aug 16 2012, 12:22 PM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Aug 16 2012, 11:30 AM)

Why are you such a downer Devil? These are just 16-18 year olds and anything can happen. Stay positive!! Next Play. Also, are you so sure MC will be in 5A next season. Don't be so sure that the Supt. won't pump up the census count on kids so she can get as much state funding as possible and push MC into the 6A bracket. You know she can count every kid that has dropped out and has no intention of coming to school when the figures need to be provided to the ISHAA and MCHS will have a popluation count of near 2000 kids. That will all but insure a 6A status. I bet if truth be told MCHS is closer to be a 4A school with all the voucher kids that have moved on. How else can you have a graduating class of 250 kids yet show 1900 kids in high school?

She would also destroy her suspension rates, attendance rates, ISTEP/SAT scores, grades, graduation rates, etc. In this day and age, those numbers are almost more important.

Posted by: Red Devil Aug 16 2012, 12:55 PM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Aug 16 2012, 11:30 AM)

Why are you such a downer Devil? These are just 16-18 year olds and anything can happen. Stay positive!! Next Play. Also, are you so sure MC will be in 5A next season. Don't be so sure that the Supt. won't pump up the census count on kids so she can get as much state funding as possible and push MC into the 6A bracket. You know she can count every kid that has dropped out and has no intention of coming to school when the figures need to be provided to the ISHAA and MCHS will have a popluation count of near 2000 kids. That will all but insure a 6A status. I bet if truth be told MCHS is closer to be a 4A school with all the voucher kids that have moved on. How else can you have a graduating class of 250 kids yet show 1900 kids in high school?

If you look at the stats, we will be in 5A. The cut off was 2075 to 1575 for 5A. I don't think she would be able to add 150 kids to the current enrollment. I always hope for the best for this season. The thing people need to understand with pop warner is that most of those kids who went to Florida will be skill players in high school, all big kids are excluded from playing in pop warner due to the weight restrictions. Most of the kids playing the line in pop warner will never play the line in high school unless they gain significant weight. Most lineman don't get to play until junior high at the earliest. This is where we struggle, lack of experience in the line.

Posted by: Red Devil Aug 16 2012, 12:58 PM

QUOTE(Red Devil @ Aug 16 2012, 01:55 PM)

--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jesse B @ Aug 16 2012, 11:30 AM)

</div><div class='quotemain'>
Why are you such a downer Devil? These are just 16-18 year olds and anything can happen. Stay positive!! Next Play. Also, are you so sure MC will be in 5A next season. Don't be so sure that the Supt. won't pump up the census count on kids so she can get as much state funding as possible and push MC into the 6A bracket. You know she can count every kid that has dropped out and has no intention of coming to school when the figures need to be provided to the ISHAA and MCHS will have a popluation count of near 2000 kids. That will all but insure a 6A status. I bet if truth be told MCHS is closer to be a 4A school with all the voucher kids that have moved on. How else can you have a graduating class of 250 kids yet show 1900 kids in high school?

If you look at the stats, we will be in 5A. The cut off was 2075 to 1575 for 5A. I don't think she would be able to add 150 kids to the current enrollment. I always hope for the best for this season. The thing people need to understand with pop warner is that most of those kids who went to Florida will be skill players in high school, all big kids are excluded from playing in pop warner due to the weight restrictions. Most of the kids playing the line in pop warner will never play the line in high school unless they gain significant weight. Most lineman don't get to play until junior high at the earliest. This is where we struggle, lack of experience in the line.

The last year cut off was 2034-1575. We are ranked as the 39th biggest school in Indiana. We would have to move up 7 spots, which I hope doesn't happen.

Posted by: taxthedeer Aug 16 2012, 01:17 PM

QUOTE(MC Born & Raised @ Aug 16 2012, 01:06 PM)

City will be in a Class 5A sectional next year with East Chicago, Munster and Chesterton.

We will have a clearer picture of who will be in the new 5A sectional 9 when the Indiana Department of Education releases it's enrollment figures in January. The IHSAA will release it's sectional assignments last week in March or the first week in April.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Aug 16 2012, 02:26 PM

QUOTE(Red Devil @ Aug 16 2012, 01:58 PM)

The last year cut off was 2034-1575. We are ranked as the 39th biggest school in Indiana. We would have to move up 7 spots, which I hope doesn't happen.

I don't see that happening. The trend has been downward in enrollment, not up.

Posted by: taxthedeer Aug 16 2012, 07:16 PM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Aug 16 2012, 07:51 PM)

Prep Football report picks MC 21 Roosevelt 7. They state Coach Karras didn't get enough time to get his team together or the results could be different.

Never put any stock in what Wayne Svetanoff says about football. He's a basketball guy.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Aug 17 2012, 07:44 AM

Football kicks off at Ames Field tonight! It is also Pop Warner night.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Aug 17 2012, 09:03 AM

http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/high-school/football/scouting-the-michigan-city-wolves-football-team/article_0a636826-b328-5b56-a595-2dd45c39024f.html

QUOTE

Michigan City Wolves

Inside the Wolves

Last season: 1-9

Returning starters: 13 (7 offense, 6 defense)

Returning offensive leader

Ryan Washington, So., QB. Stats N/A.

Returning defensive leader

James Washington III, Sr., DE. Stats N/A

Everybody's All-American

Ryan Washington, So., QB. The signal caller appears to play beyond his age in his second year behind center, and he could be a problem for opposing defenses. "He's got the strongest arm of anyone I've coached, and he can make a play when there is nothing there," Michigan City coach Michael Karpinski said. "He just gives everyone else confidence."

He's got next

Java Oliver, Jr, DE. Already gaining interest from colleges, he's a physical specimen who could create havoc for opposing offensive linemen and quarterbacks. "He's got the speed to get around the corner," Karpinski said. "he also has the size and strength to take you head up and bull rush you. He has all of the tools ... I'm excited to see what he does."

The Times' breakdown

One coach's adage came to fruition last year for the Wolves, who started at least seven sophomores — plus a freshman — last season. "There's an old saying that how many sophomores you start is how many games you will lose," Karpinski said. "It rang true." But Karpinski believes things could be different this season. The coach sees strength in sophomore quarterback Ryan Washington, plus defensive linemen Java Oliver, James Washington and Danny Lemon. Wide receiver Donovan Wilson will miss at least the first three games with a dislocated thumb, but the healthy version of the 6-foot-3 wide receiver should bolster the offense. Karpinski doesn't have a record prediction, but the fact that he's the first coach in five seasons to return for a second year could help strengthen the squad. "You don't measure by wins and losses; don't get me wrong I want to win every game," he said. "I think these kids needed stability. They've gotten to know me as a head coach and as someone who cares about their successes in both the classroom and on the field."

— Jim Hunsley

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Aug 18 2012, 08:10 AM

City wins 33-0 in the opener. Its hard to take anything away from this game, but the two things I noticed were there was a lot of times the first guy didn't make the tackle, and Washington still has some work to do on his accuracy. The running game did well though, as did the return game.

Posted by: MC Born & Raised Aug 18 2012, 01:10 PM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Aug 18 2012, 12:03 PM)

My take on the game would be the O-Line made progress the the Defense had a shut out. The Defense thankfully scored and set up good field position all evening for the offense that didn't look very potent. Defense and Special teams will need to score this year every game as 200 yards of offense will not get it done. Defense may have missed tackles but they looked aggressive where the offense looked confused. It didn't show as much due to Roosevelt looking very confused. Coach Karras did look to get the most out of his 15 players and they didn't quit which is a huge positve for him. Did anyone but me notice the Wolves declined a couple of penalties that made no sense? The refs appeared lost all game too.

Yeah, the declined penalties was part of calling off the dogs a bit ... they also disabled the 25-second clock in the second half for Roosevelt's possessions ... just trying to be sportsmanlike ...

I thought Logan Kaletha and James Washington stood out ... Kaletha should be a factor in the return game all season and Washington was everywhere ... he ran hard on offense, too ... Ryan Washington, some good and some bad ... the touchdown pass to Martin was a terrific pass. But he overthrew way too many open receivers.

Posted by: taxthedeer Aug 18 2012, 01:27 PM

QUOTE(MC Born & Raised @ Aug 18 2012, 02:10 PM)

--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jesse B @ Aug 18 2012, 12:03 PM)

</div><div class='quotemain'>
My take on the game would be the O-Line made progress the the Defense had a shut out. The Defense thankfully scored and set up good field position all evening for the offense that didn't look very potent. Defense and Special teams will need to score this year every game as 200 yards of offense will not get it done. Defense may have missed tackles but they looked aggressive where the offense looked confused. It didn't show as much due to Roosevelt looking very confused. Coach Karras did look to get the most out of his 15 players and they didn't quit which is a huge positve for him. Did anyone but me notice the Wolves declined a couple of penalties that made no sense? The refs appeared lost all game too.
Yeah, the declined penalties was part of calling off the dogs a bit ... they also disabled the 25-second clock in the second half for Roosevelt's possessions ... just trying to be sportsmanlike ...

I thought Logan Kaletha and James Washington stood out ... Kaletha should be a factor in the return game all season and Washington was everywhere ... he ran hard on offense, too ... Ryan Washington, some good and some bad ... the touchdown pass to Martin was a terrific pass. But he overthrew way too many open receivers.

Is this game going to be streamed on the ALCO site. I was really disappointed to see the archived repository of Michigan City Wolves high school sporting events removed with their recent upgrade...

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Aug 18 2012, 08:02 PM

QUOTE(taxthedeer @ Aug 18 2012, 02:27 PM)

Is this game going to be streamed on the ALCO site. I was really disappointed to see the archived repository of Michigan City Wolves high school sporting events removed with their recent upgrade...

ALCO did not broadcast this one, but will do the rest of the season.

Posted by: MC Born & Raised Aug 19 2012, 04:58 PM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Aug 18 2012, 03:43 PM)

I thought Marquis Martin stepped up as WR and looked like deep threat, couuld be the best of the bunch. Marcus Horton looked good at RB and should secure the starting job and Anthony Lemon looked good on defense with a TD and an interception. The other three captains came to play too(A. Nichols, D. Lemon & E. Rose) A lot of positives but still work to do before next game. Did Java Oliver not dress last night because I don't remember seeing him or hearing his name called for making any tackles. Maybe he was an injury scratch? Extra points and FG's were surprisingly subpar last night too.

Java did play, didn't do a whole lot. Defense really held back on doing anything too tricky.

Horton looked pretty good, but I think Jones is the starter, or at least will split carries. I think he had a little knee tweak and they held him out as a precaution.

I'm with you on Martin. I noticed him a lot in both scrimmages and along with Kaletha and Wilson when he gets back, that's a nice trio of receivers.

Posted by: taxthedeer Aug 19 2012, 05:31 PM

I attended the La Porte - New Prairie game on Friday night which New Prairie won 42-14. The Slicers are almost a mirror image of City this year, a very young team trying to come together,.39 sophomores on their roster with only 3 seniors starting on offense and 4 seniors starting on defense. La Porte has a decent RB in #32 Tyler Littlejohn that they went to early and often but they have next to nothing to support him. I would not expect La Porte to be much of a factor in the DAC in 2012, perhaps if they come together as a team as the season progresses and get a favorable draw they could possibly do some dameage in 5A sectional 2 and maybe get a shot at knocking off Penn but I believe that week 8 La Porte VS. Michigan City at Ames Field could be a very winnable game for the Wolves.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Aug 20 2012, 08:36 AM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Aug 18 2012, 03:43 PM)

I thought Marquis Martin stepped up as WR and looked like deep threat, couuld be the best of the bunch. Marcus Horton looked good at RB and should secure the starting job and Anthony Lemon looked good on defense with a TD and an interception. The other three captains came to play too(A. Nichols, D. Lemon & E. Rose) A lot of positives but still work to do before next game. Did Java Oliver not dress last night because I don't remember seeing him or hearing his name called for making any tackles. Maybe he was an injury scratch? Extra points and FG's were surprisingly subpar last night too.

Yeah, definitely a lot of areas that need to be tightened up. Looking at the roster, it is a very young team, which means we should see a lot of growth over the season. It will be a tough road ahead though. There were good and bad things to take from this game.

Posted by: MSFOOTBALL Aug 21 2012, 09:02 PM

QUOTE(MC Born & Raised @ Aug 19 2012, 04:58 PM)

--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jesse B @ Aug 18 2012, 03:43 PM)

</div><div class='quotemain'>
I thought Marquis Martin stepped up as WR and looked like deep threat, couuld be the best of the bunch. Marcus Horton looked good at RB and should secure the starting job and Anthony Lemon looked good on defense with a TD and an interception. The other three captains came to play too(A. Nichols, D. Lemon & E. Rose) A lot of positives but still work to do before next game. Did Java Oliver not dress last night because I don't remember seeing him or hearing his name called for making any tackles. Maybe he was an injury scratch? Extra points and FG's were surprisingly subpar last night too.
Java did play, didn't do a whole lot. Defense really held back on doing anything too tricky.

Horton looked pretty good, but I think Jones is the starter, or at least will split carries. I think he had a little knee tweak and they held him out as a precaution.

I'm with you on Martin. I noticed him a lot in both scrimmages and along with Kaletha and Wilson when he gets back, that's a nice trio of receivers.

Java played some but Paull was his replacement on DE. At on point they were using both of them. Paull managed to put some pressure on the QB and forced a bad throw that Tony Lemon got his hands on for a big play. Tony Lemon also picked up a fumble recovery for a TD. I think Gary played their hearts out and looked much better than they have in the past. Tony Lemon I heard is still the back up QB. It appears that maybe they should give him a few plays from what I saw the other night. I know he was the JV teams QB last year that won 6 games straight until they bumped him up to Varsity. Karpinski actually does a great job at concealment. I heard the JV team lost 6-0 at Hobart in the last minute. Freshmen lost by a TD in the last second of their game against New Prairie. This Friday night will be more accurate on the prediction of the wolves sseason to come. GO WOLVES !!!

Posted by: Red Devil Aug 22 2012, 11:32 AM

QUOTE(MSFOOTBALL @ Aug 21 2012, 10:02 PM)

Java played some but Paull was his replacement on DE. At on point they were using both of them. Paull managed to put some pressure on the QB and forced a bad throw that Tony Lemon got his hands on for a big play. Tony Lemon also picked up a fumble recovery for a TD. I think Gary played their hearts out and looked much better than they have in the past. Tony Lemon I heard is still the back up QB. It appears that maybe they should give him a few plays from what I saw the other night. I know he was the JV teams QB last year that won 6 games straight until they bumped him up to Varsity. Karpinski actually does a great job at concealment. I heard the JV team lost 6-0 at Hobart in the last minute. Freshmen lost by a TD in the last second of their game against New Prairie. This Friday night will be more accurate on the prediction of the wolves sseason to come. GO WOLVES !!!

I think the defense looked good, better than against New Prairie. The offense needs some work, especially as we start to go against tougher competition. Hopefully, we can play better against SB Washington. Let's go Wolves!

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Aug 22 2012, 02:49 PM

QUOTE(Red Devil @ Aug 22 2012, 12:32 PM)

I think the defense looked good, better than against New Prairie. The offense needs some work, especially as we start to go against tougher competition. Hopefully, we can play better against SB Washington. Let's go Wolves!

Hopefully the D brings their track shoes, because this one will be a shootout.

Posted by: MC Born & Raised Aug 23 2012, 01:47 PM

QUOTE(Southsider2k12 @ Aug 22 2012, 03:49 PM)

Hopefully the D brings their track shoes, because this one will be a shootout.

better hope not ...

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Aug 24 2012, 09:03 AM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Aug 23 2012, 04:48 PM)

I agree if it is a high scoring game the Wolves will have issues. Better hope it stays in the 90's and all of SB Washington is going both ways. . .either that or a freak rain storm so they can't throw the ball.

I hope not, but that offense is tough to defend. I know the WR graduated, but the QB is still there.

Posted by: taxthedeer Aug 24 2012, 10:26 AM

Who is responsible for maintaining the team's website? Needs updated badly. With 2012 current schedule & results, 2012 roster, coaches profile and direction show the address of the High School building not Ames Field.

If I would give the team's web site a grade it would be an F.

http://mcas.schoolwires.net//site/Default.aspx?PageID=535

Posted by: Ang Aug 24 2012, 01:00 PM

The MCHS students in the web design classes are responsible to keep the school's website updated. Students are put in groups and each group is given pages to keep updated. The teacher used to be Cheryl Koepke, but since she retired, I have no idea who is teaching the class now. Otherwise I would suggest you email the teacher and have the students assigned to that page earn their grade.

Posted by: taxthedeer Aug 24 2012, 02:48 PM

QUOTE(Ang @ Aug 24 2012, 02:00 PM)

The MCHS students in the web design classes are responsible to keep the school's website updated. Students are put in groups and each group is given pages to keep updated. The teacher used to be Cheryl Koepke, but since she retired, I have no idea who is teaching the class now. Otherwise I would suggest you email the teacher and have the students assigned to that page earn their grade.

Judging by the football teams website, it's a good thing that Mr. Koepke retired.

Posted by: taxthedeer Aug 26 2012, 09:20 PM

Sounds like the offense really struggled in the Wolves first competitive contest of the season.

http://www.southbendtribune.com/sports/highschoolsports/sbt-high-school-football-morgan-powers-panthers-20120825,0,4662058.story

QUOTE

High school football: Morgan powers Panthers

By BOB WIENEKE - Follow me @bobwienekeNDI
South Bend Tribune
6:43 a.m. EDT, August 25, 2012

SOUTH BEND -- Washington High School football coach Jay Johnson can succinctly sum up what he wants his receivers to do once the ball is snapped.

"All we have to do as receivers is run good routes," said Johnson, himself a former receiver at Notre Dame, "and he'll get you the ball."

"He" is Panther quarterback Daigen Morgan, and Morgan was really good Friday night in a 33-7 rout of Michigan City at School Field.

Morgan completed 18 of 29 passes for 339 yards and four touchdowns as the Panthers improved to 1-1. The 6-foot, 190-pound Morgan also played cornerback, safety and punter.

And the one touchdown that Washington did not score through the air came courtesy of Morgan, who ran through a Michigan City defender at the goal line to cap the scoring.

"It was just at the moment. I got happy," Morgan said. "That's what happened."

What happened to Michigan City was way too much Morgan. If Morgan wasn't rolling out on designed plays, he was flashing his improv skills by eluding defenders and finding sometimes wide-open, sometimes tightly covered teammates.

"You can't cover all their receivers for 10 seconds," Michigan City coach Mike Karpinski said, "and he makes you have to do that."

Sophomore Antwon Ivery caught five passes for 137 yards and 6-foot-4 senior Jeremiah Johnson hauled in six of Morgan's throws for 116 yards and three touchdowns.

"We're at a point right now," Jay Johnson said, "where you can't key on one receiver."

The key point in the game may have come late in the first quarter. Trailing 7-0, Washington looked like it had tied the game on a long Morgan touchdown pass that was called back because of a block in the back.

Morgan later converted a key third down in the red zone, but the Panthers fumbled and Michigan City recovered inside its 10-yard line. The Wolves, however, fumbled the ball during the return and Washington recovered.

One play later, Morgan found Johnson in the corner of the end zone to tie it.

Late in the first half, Morgan threw up a long pass that two Michigan City defenders appeared to have a shot at. Neither ended up with it, though, as Jeremiah Johnson snatched it out of the air and trotted the final 40 yards to the end zone for Washington's first lead of the night.

Christian Campbell's 30-yard TD reception 1:20 before halftime made it 20-7 at the intermission, and Washington was rolling.

Morgan got hotter in the second half, completing nine of 11, and left Karpinski marveling.

"He's pretty special," Karpinski said. "I can't say enough about him. He's a heck of a football player."

At School Field

Michigan City 7 0 0 0 -- þ7
Washington 7 13 6 7 -- 33
MC -- Logan Kaletha 40 pass from Ryan Washington (Erik Stevenson kick)

W -- Jeremiah Johnson 14 pass from Daigen Morgan (Francisco Ramirez kick)

W -- Johnson 72 pass from Morgan (kick failed)

W -- Christian Campbell 30 pass from Morgan (Ramirez kick)

W -- Johnson 12 pass from Morgan (kick failed)

W -- Morgan 5 run (Ramirez kick)

MC Wash.
First downs 10 15
Yards rushing 42 42
Yards passing 105 339
Comp.-Att.-Int. 13-28-0 18-30-0
Punts-avg. 7-28 5-34
Fumbles lost 2-1 1-1
Yards penalized 7-57 4-35
Staff writer Bob Wieneke: bwieneke@sbtinfo.com 574-235-6428

Posted by: taxthedeer Aug 27 2012, 06:25 PM

http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/highschools/14127699-419/football-michigan-city-season-preview.html

QUOTE

Football: Michigan City season preview
By Tom WYatt Post-Tribune correspondent
Reprints

Coach Michael Karpinski came in last year as the third coach in three years, but he now has a year under his belt and knows his team better. The players are used to him, and he’s used to them. Karpinski has traditionally liked to run the ball and be physical, but expect the Wolves to take advantage of their athleticism at the skill positions, beginning with sophomore QB Ryan Washington, an all-around talent who should be a mainstay for the next few years. WR Donovan Wilson will miss the first few weeks with an injury. The RB situation is up in the air, but Karpinski likes that he has options in the backfield. The Wolves will be multidimensional, creating space on offense and spreading out their athletes. Another sign Karpinski is adapting to his players’ strengths is the switch to a 3-5 defense to take advantage of team speed.

Timeout Football 2012: For players and coaches, football never ends

Danny Lemon looks like any other lineman when he takes the field on both offense and defense for Michigan City. It’s when he steps back to punt on fourth down when he gets a few odd looks.

“There is a little bit of surprise that I can punt the ball,” said the 250-pound Lemon, a senior for the Wolves. “The first time in practice, I punted it 55 yards in a tight spiral. And they were all shocked I could do that.”

Lemon played soccer for 10 years before switching his focus to football. So kicking the ball comes naturally, even with a lineman’s frame.

“That just shows you how athletic he is,” Michigan City coach Michael Karpinski said. “He’s not just a punter because we don’t have anybody else. He’s a good punter.

“I’ve never had an offensive lineman or defensive lineman be our punter. I always wanted someone who was one of our skill position players, a kid I knew was used to handling the ball. I was a little reluctant to put him back there last year, but he did a great job. He’s fun to watch.”

Lemon has strong historical ties to Michigan City football. His grandfather is Ron Lemon, the former Michigan City Rogers head coach, who spent 22 years with the Raiders and was inducted into the Michigan City football Hall of Fame this summer.

“It feels great to honor his name and play out there on Friday nights,” said Danny Lemon, whose brother Anthony is a junior on the team. “He’s able to make it to most of our games.”

Karpinski has his own ties to the Lemon family and to Michigan City football. His father, Bill Karpinski, started the program at Rogers when it opened in 1971, coaching there for two years before Lemon took over. Michael Karpinski took the reins last season.

“I can kind of relate to Danny,” Michael Karpinski said. “He comes from that background where his grandpa coached and his dad played, so he was around it. He played and his brother plays. It’s very similar to what I had growing up.”

On the field, Karpinski looks to Lemon for his leadership on both sides of the ball.

Lemon is versatile enough to play any position on the line. Karpinski said he’ll play more on the defensive side of the ball than on the offensive side.

“He’s kind of a quiet leader and doesn’t say a whole lot, but he’s instrumental for us,” Karpinski said. “He’s a good athlete, and that’s what helps him so much, not to mention he’s got a great head on his shoulders.”

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Aug 31 2012, 01:24 PM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Aug 28 2012, 08:27 PM)

I am curious what you do as a coach if you have players missing practice? Don't you have to lay down the law or do you punish the "team" because of a few? Maybe they are legitimate excuses but kids missing practice due to work and then being put into the starting line up would be wrong. I am also one that believes grades come before playing. As a matter of fact the GPA for playing should be raised from 1.5 to 2.0 since grades/education are the most important aspect of high school. If you have players getting "help" after school don't you want to make sure that is what in fact they are doing and not just coming late to practice. The same can be said for players "faking" injury so they can take a day or two off of practice. I am not saying this is happening in any program currently but what should a coach do if in fact this starts to happen. Do you kick kids off? Do you bench the culprits in favor of less talented kids that show up and do their work knowing your chances of winning are diminished? You are in a catch-22 as a coach aren't you? You need the players so you can have a team to coach yet you run the risk of having the inmates run the asylum if you cave in. I guess the answer depends on the level of play, professional players can be cut and there is always someone to fill their place. Pop Warner you can kick the kid off and return the entry fee to the parents if they complain. College you can take a scholarship away but what do you do at the high school level?

By the way Madden 13 hit the stores today so we should see a lot of creative plays at the local high school and Pop Warner scene once everyone gets a chance to digest some new pass plays and blitz schemes.

I forgot to throw my answer to this. I think it is much more vital to stick to the rules on a team that doesn't have much in the way of expectations, such as City. If you are going to rebuild the right way, you want the right kids. Skip practice? Stay home, and don't play. Stand on the sideline Friday night in street clothes and watch your teammates. Do it again? Don't come back.

Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 1 2012, 04:09 PM

Wolves were outgained in rushing yards 419 to 48. Offense only generated seven first downs. Ironic that 55-0 was the exact same result of the City-Chesterton game two seasons ago.

http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/high-school/football/no-chesterton-horvath-roll-over-michigan-city/article_dfec4dd7-62bd-5c2c-a94f-4c2b4918a00e.html

QUOTE

No. 2 Chesterton, Horvath roll over Michigan City

Mike McArdle | The Times

Gallery: Michigan City at Chesterton football game
CHESTERTON | Amidst a galaxy of Chesterton stars, Jon Horvath is the latest constellation to shine.

The junior fullback rambled for 98 yards on 11 carries, scoring four touchdowns Friday as the Times No. 2 Trojans obliterated Michigan City 55-0 in the Duneland Athletic Conference opener.

"I was just wanted one (score), but I'm good with four," Horvath said. "I've played wing back all my life but coach (John Snyder) put me at fullback because he said I run really hard. We go against our defense in practice, and they're one of the best around, so I've gotten used to going against big people. That's helped as much as anything."

It took Chesterton (3-0, 1-0) a quarter to get rolling, but when it got up to speed, it was all tail lights. The Trojans erupted for 27 points in the second quarter with Horvath finding the end zone twice from a yard out and another time from 22. He added a 26-yard scoring jaunt in the third quarter.

"I'm excited for him," Snyder said. "He's got some speed and he runs really hard. He continues to get better and better. He had a great effort to get in the end zone a couple times. Those things don't happen unless our perimeter blocking is what it's been the last couple weeks."

Joe Troop went 68 yards on a pitch play in the big second stanza, which saw Chesterton score twice in a span of 1:38. After stopping M.C. on downs at the 1, it covered 99 yards on eight plays, including a 33-yard Chris Katsafaros connection with Troop on third and 9 at the 2.

"That was a huge catch," Snyder said. "He got drilled and play through it. He's a big play guy. He's got to touch the ball."

The Trojans took over at its 36 with less than a minute to go and hustled 64 yards, all but one of those in the air as Katsafaros completed 5-of-5 passes. Three of them went to Troop, who made six grabs on the night for 83 yards.

"In years past, we might've taken a knee there," Snyder said. "I said, 'If we get the ball, let's try to score.' The kids like the fact that we're aggressive. Chris is capable of doing those things. He wants to make plays."

Katsafaros and company got the rest of the night off after Chesterton quickly expanded the margin to 41 in the third. Backup QB Michael Crowley amassed 104 yards and two TDs, applying the finishing touches with a 54-yarder with a minute left. Chesterton racked up 419 yards rushing, averaging over nine yards a carry.

"We replaced our whole offensive line (this season)," Snyder said. "That was a concern coming in. They were taking stuff away inside, but every defense gives up something. It was a matter of recognizing that and adjusting."

M.C., in turn, managed just 48 yards on the ground in 30 tries. It was stopped for a loss 10 times and generated just one more first down (seven) than its number of punts.

"Any coach will tell you, 'Let's win the line of scrimmage,'" Snyder said. "Those three guys up front (Trever Walker, Ryley Harlow and Eric Madry) are strong. Their leverage is great because they stay low. They pursue the ball and let the linebackers run to the ball."

Logan Kaletha stood out for M.C. (1-2, 0-1) with seven catches for 69 yards. His 22 yards rushing (on one run) also led the Wolves. He returned a kickoff 65 yards, but A.J. Snyder blocked an Erik Stevenson field goal to keep the Wolves off the board.

"We were really worried about their size physically," Snyder said. "Credit to the defense for coming out and holding them."

Michigan City 0
(1-2, 0-1 conf)

Chesterton 55
(3-0, 1-0 conf)

1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
Michigan City 0 0 0 0 0
Chesterton 0 27 14 14 55 7:00 PM CDT, August 31, 2012
Sport Boys' Football
Level: High School - V
Box Score
Related (1)
Team Stats

Michigan City Chesterton
Score 0 55
1st Downs 8 24
Passing 1st downs 2 7
Rushing 1st downs 5 17
1st downs from Penalties 1 0
3rd down Att 0 0
3rd down Made 0 0
4th down Att 0 0
4th down Made 0 0
Total Plays 45 58
Total Yards 127 558
Passing Yards 79 139
Passing Att 10 11
Passing Comp 15 13
Rushing Yards 48 419
Rushing Attempts 30 45
Red Zone Att 0 0
Red Zone Made 0 0
Penalties Made 8 4
Penalties Yards 65 35
Turnovers 0 1
# of Fumbles 3 4
Fumbles lost 0 0
Interceptions thrown 0 1
Defensive / Special Teams TDs 0 0
Time of possession 0 0

Player Stats

Passing Stats

Michigan City Wolves
Players PASSCOMP PASSATT YDS TD INT
Ryan Washington 10 15 79 0 0
Chesterton Trojans
Players PASSCOMP PASSATT YDS TD INT
Chris Katsafaros, QB 11 13 139 1 1
Rushing Stats

Michigan City Wolves
Players ATT YDS TD LNG
Geoffrey Espich 4 14 0 9
Logan Kaletha 1 22 0 22
Marcus Horton, RB/DB 12 16 0 12
Ryan Jones III 2 -6 0 0
Ryan Washington 11 2 0 6
Chesterton Trojans
Players ATT YDS TD LNG
Avery Beeks, WB 5 46 0 13
Chris Katsafaros, QB 10 35 0 10
Cody Watson 1 3 0 3
Dax Jones 3 27 0 11
Joe Troop, WB 3 75 1 68
Jon Horvath, FB/WB 11 98 4 26
Mike Crowley 7 103 2 54
Taylor Hayman 1 4 0 4
Zach Westergren, FB 4 28 0 10
Receiving Stats

Michigan City Wolves
Players ATT YDS TD LNG TGT
Logan Kaletha 7 69 0 22 0
Marcus Horton, RB/DB 1 1 0 1 0
Marquis Martin, WR/RB/DB 2 9 0 5 0
Chesterton Trojans
Players ATT YDS TD LNG TGT
Avery Beeks, WB 2 23 0 12 0
Jacob Andrews, WR 1 11 0 11 0
Joe Troop, WB 6 83 0 33 0
Matt Holba, WR 1 11 1 11 0
Mitch Kobitz, TE 1 11 0 11 0
Interceptions Stats

Michigan City Wolves
Players INT YDS TD
Zakery Chappell 1 27 0
Chesterton Trojans
Players INT YDS TD
Defensive Stats

Michigan City Wolves
Players TK SOLO SACK TFL PD HIT TD
Chesterton Trojans
Players TK SOLO SACK TFL PD HIT TD
Luke Gibson, LB 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Dana Konchar, LB 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Kicking Stats

Michigan City Wolves
Players KICKFGMADE KICKFGATT LNG KICKXPMADE KICKXPATT PTS
Erik Stevenson, K/P 0 1 0 0 0 0
Chesterton Trojans
Players KICKFGMADE KICKFGATT LNG KICKXPMADE KICKXPATT PTS
Nate Needham 0 0 0 5 6 5
Chris Pabon 0 0 0 2 2 2
Punting Stats

Michigan City Wolves
Players ATT YDS TD sub20 LNG
Daniel Lemon 6 160 0 0 48
Chesterton Trojans
Players ATT YDS TD sub20 LNG
Michael Crowley 1 17 0 0 17
Chris Katsafaros, QB 1 28 0 0 28

Posted by: indianamaniac Sep 3 2012, 12:32 AM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Sep 2 2012, 06:48 PM)

Valpo is 1-2, City is 1-2. Both teams have lost to state ranked teams and state runner ups from last year. Give the Wolves 3 points for home field and I like the City Blue & Grey to win 24-21.

Vikings have only one legitimate big time prospect and the Wolves have more. First year coach head coach for Valpo. You gotta like the possibilities plus City has a definite speed advantage as our kids are silly fast.

And they say optimism in Michigan City is dead... God bless ya... I'll have what Jesse's having...

Posted by: Red Devil Sep 3 2012, 05:05 AM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Sep 2 2012, 06:48 PM)

Valpo is 1-2, City is 1-2. Both teams have lost to state ranked teams and state runner ups from last year. Give the Wolves 3 points for home field and I like the City Blue & Grey to win 24-21.

Vikings have only one legitimate big time prospect and the Wolves have more. First year coach head coach for Valpo. You gotta like the possibilities plus City has a definite speed advantage as our kids are silly fast.

Seriously?? What "Big Time" prospects do we have? I didn't see any against Chesterton. The Vikings two losses were against the two teams that made it to the 5A state championship game last year. They only lost by one point to last years state champion. I saw no offense what-so-ever against Chesterton. I pick we lose 49-0!

Posted by: MC Born & Raised Sep 4 2012, 01:18 AM

--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jesse B @ Sep 3 2012, 07:46 AM) </div><div class='quotemain'>
The N-D and Coach Karp say we have 4 prospects. One is hurt but will be back soon and then the offense will be firing on all cylinders. You are predicting another shut out, seriously?? I can't see Valpo's D matching up with our team speed and skill players. Go Wolves!!! Beat Valpo!!! .500 and rising after Friday!!
[/quote]

I know indianamaniac already said it, but God bless your optimism.

As far as POTENTIAL Division I prospects, I mean, I almost hate to list them because they all have a LONG, LONG, LONG way to go before D-1 program are knocking down the door, but I could see Kaletha, Donovan Wilson and Java Oliver POTENTIALLY drawing some interest at some point. Again, a lot needs to happen for that to occur, though. Too early to tell where Ryan Washington's future is just yet. At this point next year we'll have a better idea.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Sep 4 2012, 08:01 AM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Sep 2 2012, 06:48 PM)

Valpo is 1-2, City is 1-2. Both teams have lost to state ranked teams and state runner ups from last year. Give the Wolves 3 points for home field and I like the City Blue & Grey to win 24-21.

Vikings have only one legitimate big time prospect and the Wolves have more. First year coach head coach for Valpo. You gotta like the possibilities plus City has a definite speed advantage as our kids are silly fast.

Being fully honest, I don't know if we could score 24 points total in three games against Valpo, let alone one. The Wolves are so young right now. It is going to be a tough year.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Sep 4 2012, 08:48 AM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Sep 4 2012, 09:46 AM)

Young? I wasn't aware we were starting a bunch of 9th & 10th graders. That makes me feel better that things definitely will turn around next season and beyond.

Last year was a senior heavy team. This year, not so much. Almost every key player on the team is an underclassman.

Posted by: Red Devil Sep 4 2012, 11:18 AM

QUOTE(Southsider2k12 @ Sep 4 2012, 09:01 AM)

--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jesse B @ Sep 2 2012, 06:48 PM)

</div><div class='quotemain'>
Valpo is 1-2, City is 1-2. Both teams have lost to state ranked teams and state runner ups from last year. Give the Wolves 3 points for home field and I like the City Blue & Grey to win 24-21.

Vikings have only one legitimate big time prospect and the Wolves have more. First year coach head coach for Valpo. You gotta like the possibilities plus City has a definite speed advantage as our kids are silly fast.
Being fully honest, I don't know if we could score 24 points total in three games against Valpo, let alone one. The Wolves are so young right now. It is going to be a tough year.

I'm concerned we will have problems scoring 24 points the rest of the year!

Posted by: Red Devil Sep 4 2012, 11:19 AM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Sep 4 2012, 09:46 AM)

Young? I wasn't aware we were starting a bunch of 9th & 10th graders. That makes me feel better that things definitely will turn around next season and beyond.

I don't think we are starting any 9th graders, but we do have 10th and 11th graders starting this year. I think we lost over 20 seniors last year from the 1-9 team.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Sep 4 2012, 02:53 PM

QUOTE(Red Devil @ Sep 4 2012, 12:19 PM)

I don't think we are starting any 9th graders, but we do have 10th and 11th graders starting this year. I think we lost over 20 seniors last year from the 1-9 team.

And a lot them at that.

Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 4 2012, 03:38 PM

I would like to introduce a new segment here on CBTL called, "Dr. taxthedeer's free professional advise for teens and their parents."

Just picture yourself walking in the shoes of a senior on this years team that began playing varsity in 2010 and going 0-7 in the DAC for the third straight year which would mean your child would have never tasted victory going 0-21 for his entire cycle of high school.

Let's review some of the issues I have shared in the past:

I have had to witness this gut wrenching scenario repeat itself just way to many times ever since I have moved here to Michigan City. Our opponents sideline will go away happy and Michigan City's sideline will go away sad. Imagine the demoralizing anguish, torment and emotional trauma that you as a senior are going to experience when the team takes that season ending loss as you and your teammates go slowly walking off that field carrying your helmets off to the side by the face mask with your heads hung low in defeat, your shoulders slumped down, the long flushed pouting face, your bottom lip stuck out and the teardrops rolling down your cheeks. I've still for the life of me have never been able to determine who is worse, the sobbing boys or those boohooing girly girls. Further research has discovered that the girls are much more easily drawn to tears but when the boys start to cry it's much more difficult for everyone involved take.

That's one of the worse parts, everyone is going to be there to see your heatbreak unfold, your entire family, your friends, the entire student body, your teachers, your principals, your neighbors, your parents co-workers pretty much the entire community, it's going to be broadcast live on the radio and streamed live all over the world on the internet, it's going to be wriiten up in the paper the next morning, blogged about by a bunch of people all over the world wide web and might even be shown on TV. Lots of people can get really mad, especially if a few of the calls don't go our way or if there are issues with members of the coaching staff.

Now, imagine you and your teammates marching into your locker room together, stripping off your uniform, getting into your street clothes, stuffing your jersey into your gym bag and the all the seniors coming to the quick and sudden realization that you are going to have to turn your uniform and equipment in and you will never ever get to wear your uniform and equipment again to represent your school and community. It's almost like there's a funeral going on up in there. What's even worse is having to go in after it's pouring down rain in buckets the entire game. You'll feel like Eeoyre the depressed donkey from Winne The Pooh, always walking around with your head hung low having a storm cloud dangling over your head on an otherwise sunny day.

Heck here's a prime example, let's rewind to just this past last spring when the boys basketball blew a 10 point halftime lead to Merrillville in the sectional championship falling to the Pirates for the third time time in a row. I witnessed the last Wolf that left the court that so emotionally distraught that he practically had to be carried out of the Wolves Den Gymnasium and into the dressing room by one of the City assistant coaches like that big dude was an infant.

Seeing all of this is going to leave your underclassmen with the unparalleled feeling that there is no hope for the future and that they have no real sense of belonging. It's almost as if that man or woman on the opposing sideline has reached down into the deep dark depths and just squeezed the life out of that young persons delicate teenage psyche. What really becomes extremely dangerous is when that young person begins to lose faith, they'll become overcome with these irreversible racing thoughts that "Perhaps there is somebody up there that just doesn't like me anymore." That's when you lose all your self confidence and in most cases going want to quit playing football and get a summer job next season. Then from there the team emerges from the dressing room, exits the stadium and if your on the road it becomes time to hop aboard that yellow submarine and take yet another one of those long sad bus rides all the way back home to Michigan City.

Then there's the grown ups, it doesn't matter which sport it is, football, basketball or co-ed tiddleywinks. When they finally GO HOME to mama and daddy their going to head straight to their room, lay down in their bed, bury their head into their pillow, curdle up into the fetal position, salk themselves to sleep and revert back to the way you started out when they were still trapped for those nine months inside their mama's womb. When your child finally wakes up the next morning your going to have that big lug of a son or that precious baby girl daughter just moaping around the crib until prom night. Heck, your son's girlfriend is most likely going to want to break up with him the following week for a team member of the victoious school. It's nothing but a great big blow to their already low self esteem.

This whole experience is especially rough on the mama, as she was the one that had to carry around that child in her stomach for nine months, give birth to him, change all their stinky diapers, cook all their meals, shook their tired self out of bed every morning to go off to school after they partied all night because if your kid refused to go to school that you are going go to school with them, sit right down next to you all day in that classroom and hold your had all day in order for him to get that education, drove you and his teammates to and from all his practices, did all the fundraising BS and now this has finally become the fruits of her labor.

Then there is the poor hard overtime working daddy who tried the best he could do trying to coach him and raise him up right. What's really sad is if it's his child that made some type of bonehead play during the course of the game which was the primary reason for the team taking the season ending loss and they turned out to be the goat instead of the hero. There is also those select few of those daddy's that knows in the back of their mind that their son has failed them by not living up to his dreams, goals, standards and expectations that he had set forth back in his glorious Elston and Rogers heyday of the bygone eras of the 60s, 70s and 80s in which any past attempt to rekindle that gloy with his older bro has been to no avail and any future attempt to resurrect that glory with his little bro will be completely in vein and that the fruits of his loins failed to produce. Daddy would be best off if he just just go out and get himself a vasectomy.

Well, anyways I certainly hope the 2012 Michigan City Wolves never put themselves into this horrible position but in the event that they do, I hope this little bit of free professional advise helps the family cope.

In conclusion, let me ask, "IS ANYBODY HERE FROM CITY!!!"

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Sep 7 2012, 09:31 AM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Sep 7 2012, 10:28 AM)

I have no idea what to make of the ramblings above but go Wolves tonight. D need needs to get 3 and outs and the O needs to avoid them for a change. You can't win if you can't score.

The key for the D is the first guy needs to make the tackle. Their pursuit seems to be good, they just need to finish.

Sadly, I think this is going to be an ugly one. Valpo is really, really good. Probably better than Chesterton.

Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 8 2012, 11:59 AM

http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/high-school/football/vikings-overpower-wolves/article_ff201d42-fe59-5d84-9391-e886ca040c99.html

QUOTE

Vikings overpower Wolves

Valparaiso at Michigan City football game

Paul Jankowski Times Correspondent

MICHIGAN CITY | Merging Michigan City Rogers and Elston into one high school back in 1995 was supposed to create an athletic powerhouse.

Long-time Michigan City supporters longed for a winner, particularly on the gridiron after years of somewhat consistent success in basketball. Games are played at beautiful Ames Field, fan support isn't terrible - the pieces are in place.

But the Wolves have had just four winning seasons since the merger, and this year's team is on a path to follow its unsuccessful predecessors.

Valparaiso, which had outscored M.C. 599-188 while winning 16 of 18 meetings since 1995, administered a predictable 35-0 pounding Friday night in a Duneland Athletic Conference game at Ames.

It took a while for the Times No. 6 Vikings (2-2, 2-0) to get going, but it wasn't much of a surprise to Valpo coach Dave Coyle.

"This is a week you don't get much sleep, because of their speed and athletes," Coyle said. "They're doing a lot of good things."

After the Wolves (0-4, 0-2) dominated time of possession but failed to score in the first quarter, Valpo running back Andrew Kittridge dashed straight up the middle for an 85-yard touchdown run at 9:52 of the second quarter.

Valpo scored again on its next possession, putting together an 11-play, 56-yard drive. Stephen Simms finished it off with a 5-yard touchdown, and Caleb Dawson's second PAT made it 14-0 Vikes with 3:04 remaining in the half.

The scoring drive was aided by two huge mistakes by the Wolves. Defensive back Anthony Lemon dropped a sure-fire interception of David Hittinger on the first play, and later the Wolves were called for a late hit after Kittridge dropped a pass.

Simms started the second half with a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. He had to make a running catch to his right, and snaked his way through defenders down the right sideline for his second kickoff return for a TD in as many weeks.

"The ball was a little to my right, but then I just used a good block from Kittridge and my other blockers," Simms said. "They gave me the easy part, I guess."

Simms finished with 157 return yards, and also had a 40-yard reception that set up another Kittridge touchdown late in the third quarter.

After Simms' TD, Valpo defensive end Matt Ford intercepted a pass from M.C. sophomore QB Ryan Washington. The junior, making just his second start after returning from an injury, returned it 10 yards to the Wolves' 8-yard line.

"I was happy for Matt," Coyle said. "He had a setback and he's coming back from that. It's great to see a guy like that trying to score on that kind of a play."

Three plays later, Hittinger hit Mark Johnson on a 3-yard touchdown pass for a 28-0 lead.

Kittridge finished with 150 yards rushing on just 13 carries. The Vikes outgained the Wolves 319-97, and only allowed one first down after the first quarter.

"I'm very pleased with the defense tonight," Coyle said. "They did a nice job of keeping them contained."

http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/stats/099f7ad4-bb37-11e1-ab8e-0019bb2963f4.html

QUOTE

Valparaiso 35

(2-2, 2-0 conf)

Michigan City 0

(1-3, 0-2 conf)
1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
Valparaiso 0 14 21 0 35
Michigan City 0 0 0 0 0
7:00 PM CDT, September 7, 2012
Sport Boys' Football
Level: High School - V

Box Score
Scoring
Related (1)

Team Stats
Valparaiso Michigan City
Score 35 0
1st Downs 14 5
Passing 1st downs 0 0
Rushing 1st downs 13 3
1st downs from Penalties 1 2
3rd down Att 0 0
3rd down Made 0 0
4th down Att 0 0
4th down Made 0 0
Total Plays 46 37
Total Yards 319 97
Passing Yards 54 27
Passing Att 8 10
Passing Comp 4 4
Rushing Yards 265 70
Rushing Attempts 38 27
Red Zone Att 0 0
Red Zone Made 0 0
Penalties Made 7 6
Penalties Yards 55 45
Turnovers 1 1
# of Fumbles 0 1
Fumbles lost 0 0
Interceptions thrown 1 1
Defensive / Special Teams TDs 0 0
Time of possession 0 0

Player Stats
Passing Stats
Valparaiso Vikings
Players PASSCOMP PASSATT YDS TD INT
David Hittinger, QB 4 8 54 1 1
Michigan City Wolves
Players PASSCOMP PASSATT YDS TD INT
Ryan Washington 4 10 27 0 1
Rushing Stats
Valparaiso Vikings
Players ATT YDS TD LNG
Aaron Miller, RB 4 19 0 13
Adam Miller, RB 2 7 0 5
Andrew Kittridge, RB/P 13 150 2 85
Anthony Carpenter 3 20 0 11
David Hittinger, QB 2 7 0 5
JP Kunze 1 3 0 0
Mark Johnson, RB 5 28 0 12
Mike Gallinatti 2 6 0 4
Stephen Simms, RB 6 25 0 8
Michigan City Wolves
Players ATT YDS TD LNG
Ryan Jones III 15 43 0 23
Ryan Washington 12 27 0 12
Receiving Stats
Valparaiso Vikings
Players ATT YDS TD LNG TGT
Andrew Kittridge, RB/P 2 11 0 7 0
Mark Johnson, RB 1 3 1 0 0
Stephen Simms, RB 1 40 0 40 0
Michigan City Wolves
Players ATT YDS TD LNG TGT
Logan Kaletha 3 23 0 14 0
Ryan Jones III 1 4 0 4 0
Interceptions Stats
Valparaiso Vikings
Players INT YDS TD
Matthew Ford 1 8 0
Michigan City Wolves
Players INT YDS TD
Anthony Lemon 1 0 0
Kick Returns Stats
Valparaiso Vikings
Players ATT YDS LNG TD
Stephen Simms, RB 1 97 97 1

Posted by: sunny Sep 14 2012, 03:36 PM

QUOTE(MC Born & Raised @ Sep 4 2012, 01:18 AM)

--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jesse B @ Sep 3 2012, 07:46 AM)

</div><div class='quotemain'>
The N-D and Coach Karp say we have 4 prospects. One is hurt but will be back soon and then the offense will be firing on all cylinders. You are predicting another shut out, seriously?? I can't see Valpo's D matching up with our team speed and skill players. Go Wolves!!! Beat Valpo!!! .500 and rising after Friday!!
I know indianamaniac already said it, but God bless your optimism.

As far as POTENTIAL Division I prospects, I mean, I almost hate to list them because they all have a LONG, LONG, LONG way to go before D-1 program are knocking down the door, but I could see Kaletha, Donovan Wilson and Java Oliver POTENTIALLY drawing some interest at some point. Again, a lot needs to happen for that to occur, though. Too early to tell where Ryan Washington's future is just yet. At this point next year we'll have a better idea.

Are we seriously talking about having D-1 prospects??? College's don't follow teams that have 1-9 records... One prospect hasn't even taken the field yet this year. The other WR gets 3 catches for 20 yards and I can't remember what the DT did. D-1 prospects (i.e. Gehrig Deiter) get over 100+ yds a game. Or in the case of Deiter vs MC, over 300 yds. We've had standouts or "prospects" in the past such as Ryan Fics, Adam Harmon and Rodney Washington that never made it to a D-1 school. WE DON'T EVEN SCORE POINTS PEOPLE! How are they a D-1???

Posted by: Bryce Sep 15 2012, 12:03 AM

QUOTE(sunny @ Sep 14 2012, 04:36 PM)

Are we seriously talking about having D-1 prospects??? College's don't follow teams that have 1-9 records... One prospect hasn't even taken the field yet this year. The other WR gets 3 catches for 20 yards and I can't remember what the DT did. D-1 prospects (i.e. Gehrig Deiter) get over 100+ yds a game. Or in the case of Deiter vs MC, over 300 yds. We've had standouts or "prospects" in the past such as Ryan Fics, Adam Harmon and Rodney Washington that never made it to a D-1 school. WE DON'T EVEN SCORE POINTS PEOPLE! How are they a D-1???

Hmm...Kaletha was a former standout in the Pop Warner Program but I think he will go to a D-1 for Baseball.

Harmon couldn't even get into Ivy Tech due to his grades. D-1 Schools are not just about atleticism.

Posted by: MC Born & Raised Sep 15 2012, 02:34 AM

QUOTE(sunny @ Sep 14 2012, 04:36 PM)

Are we seriously talking about having D-1 prospects??? College's don't follow teams that have 1-9 records... One prospect hasn't even taken the field yet this year. The other WR gets 3 catches for 20 yards and I can't remember what the DT did. D-1 prospects (i.e. Gehrig Deiter) get over 100+ yds a game. Or in the case of Deiter vs MC, over 300 yds. We've had standouts or "prospects" in the past such as Ryan Fics, Adam Harmon and Rodney Washington that never made it to a D-1 school. WE DON'T EVEN SCORE POINTS PEOPLE! How are they a D-1???

Please read what I wrote. I didn't say they were being recruited D-1, I said A LOT HAS TO HAPPEN for them to be considered D-1, but given the right circumstances it was conceivable for those guys. I did not say at this point they were being courted seriously or otherwise by anyone. When you consider the physical tools necessary to be a D-1 prospect, they fit the bill in one way or the other.

Also, if you don't think a D-1 player can come from a team with a bad record then you're crazy. If you can play, they'll find you. Point blank. Being on a winning team might help (because you get deeper in the tournament and play more games, therefore more opportunities to get scouted), but recruiters are paid really good money to find anyone who can help their team. If you're big enough, fast enough, strong enough, a 1-9 record isn't going to deter them.

Posted by: sunny Sep 16 2012, 03:59 PM

QUOTE(Bryce @ Sep 15 2012, 12:03 AM)

Hmm...Kaletha was a former standout in the Pop Warner Program but I think he will go to a D-1 for Baseball.

Harmon couldn't even get into Ivy Tech due to his grades. D-1 Schools are not just about atleticism.

D-1 baseball programs do not generate the money that other sports such as football or basketball do. Therefore, they do not have the scholarship money to offer that these sports do. Baseball teams give % of monies available which is very limited. They also do not give full rides for baseball. Most of the D-1 teams maximum is around a 50% scholarship. So because of this limitation, colleges are very selective as to who they offer scholarships too. Last year, Kaletha had a .223 batting average. At one point in the season, he had more errors than he did hits. As a pitcher, he lost his first 6 games that he pitched before he got his first victory vs LaCrosse. Keep in mind that Lacrosse is a 2A school. He finished the season with 1 win & 7 losses. Colleges, especially D-1 schools do not offer scholarship money to a .220 hitter with a pitching record of 1-7. D-1 schools have to many high school teams to draw from, especially from teams down south. Don't know if the Harmon comment was called for. As far as kids being big enough, fast enough and strong enough, I agree to a point... But at some point, they also have to perform. Good example would be Rodney Washington and Georigio Karembellas (sp) the last couple years. Good players with D-1 bodies, neither received a D-1 scholarship...they both had the qualities mentioned above, however, their teams were absolutely terrible. My belief as stated, D-1 schools don't look at bad teams.

Posted by: MC Born & Raised Sep 16 2012, 08:05 PM

QUOTE(sunny @ Sep 16 2012, 04:59 PM)

D-1 baseball programs do not generate the money that other sports such as football or basketball do. Therefore, they do not have the scholarship money to offer that these sports do. Baseball teams give % of monies available which is very limited. They also do not give full rides for baseball. Most of the D-1 teams maximum is around a 50% scholarship. So because of this limitation, colleges are very selective as to who they offer scholarships too. Last year, Kaletha had a .223 batting average. At one point in the season, he had more errors than he did hits. As a pitcher, he lost his first 6 games that he pitched before he got his first victory vs LaCrosse. Keep in mind that Lacrosse is a 2A school. He finished the season with 1 win & 7 losses. Colleges, especially D-1 schools do not offer scholarship money to a .220 hitter with a pitching record of 1-7. D-1 schools have to many high school teams to draw from, especially from teams down south. Don't know if the Harmon comment was called for. As far as kids being big enough, fast enough and strong enough, I agree to a point... But at some point, they also have to perform. Good example would be Rodney Washington and Georigio Karembellas (sp) the last couple years. Good players with D-1 bodies, neither received a D-1 scholarship...they both had the qualities mentioned above, however, their teams were absolutely terrible. My belief as stated, D-1 schools don't look at bad teams.

Purdue's best defensive player is a guy named Kawann Short, who will likely be an NFL first rounder. He played at East Chicago, which has a terrible football program. Like I said, if you can play, they'll find you. It is perhaps more difficult to get noticed from a bad team, but to say D-1 schools don't look at bad teams isn't accurate.

I like Rodney a lot, but his senior year was terrible. Wasn't all his fault, but it is what it is. Karallas - another really good kid - was a fringe D-1 prospect and attracted some attention from a MAC school or two

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Sep 17 2012, 07:29 AM

QUOTE(MC Born & Raised @ Sep 16 2012, 09:05 PM)

Purdue's best defensive player is a guy named Kawann Short, who will likely be an NFL first rounder. He played at East Chicago, which has a terrible football program. Like I said, if you can play, they'll find you. It is perhaps more difficult to get noticed from a bad team, but to say D-1 schools don't look at bad teams isn't accurate.

I like Rodney a lot, but his senior year was terrible. Wasn't all his fault, but it is what it is. Karallas - another really good kid - was a fringe D-1 prospect and attracted some attention from a MAC school or two

Not to mention that Michigan City has a guy playing for Purdue right now in Ryan Isaac. We also put a kid into Ball State as a four year starter in basketball in Jarrod Jones.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Sep 17 2012, 09:30 AM

http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/15152189-556/merrillvilles-jake-raspopovich-outlasts-michigan-city.html

QUOTE

Merrillville’s Jake Raspopovich outlasts Michigan City

By Tom Wyatt Post-Tribune correspondent September 14, 2012 11:42PM
Updated: September 15, 2012 2:08AM

MERRILLVILLE — Jake Raspopovich just needed his defense to make a couple stops. And it finally did in the second half.

The Merrillville senior quarterback threw for three touchdowns and ran for three more as the Pirates held off Michigan City 62-41 on Friday in game filled with big plays.

With the game tied 34-34 at halftime, Merrillville (4-1, 3-0 Duneland Conference) finally pulled away in the second half and slowed the Wolves’ surprisingly potent offense.

Raspopovich finished 21-of-24 passing for 342 yards. His 9-yard touchdown pass to Brian Jenkins gave Merrillville a 41-34 an advantage early in the third quarter, a lead the Pirates held onto after seemingly solving a puzzling Michigan City (1-4, 0-3 DAC) offense.

Raspopovich’s 27-yard touchdown run on a fake field goal later in the third gave Merrillville a 48-34 lead.

Michigan City wasn’t finished, though, pulling to within 48-41 on Chris Mallon’s 1-yard touchdown run, which was set up by Donovan Wilson’s 66-yard reception. But the Pirates rattled off two straight scores to put the game away, an 8-yard TD reception by Jenkins and a 1-yard TD run by Raspopovich.

Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 17 2012, 09:42 AM

QUOTE(MC Born & Raised @ Sep 16 2012, 09:05 PM)

Purdue's best defensive player is a guy named Kawann Short, who will likely be an NFL first rounder. He played at East Chicago, which has a terrible football program. Like I said, if you can play, they'll find you. It is perhaps more difficult to get noticed from a bad team, but to say D-1 schools don't look at bad teams isn't accurate.

I like Rodney a lot, but his senior year was terrible. Wasn't all his fault, but it is what it is. Karallas - another really good kid - was a fringe D-1 prospect and attracted some attention from a MAC school or two

Current New York Jets veteren offensive guard Brandon Moore attended high school at Gary West Side. He was signed as an undrafted free agent with the Jets out of the University of Illinois in 2002, last season he played in the NFL Pro Bowl in Hawaii.

Posted by: MC Born & Raised Sep 17 2012, 04:17 PM

QUOTE(taxthedeer @ Sep 17 2012, 10:42 AM)

Current New York Jets veteren offensive guard Brandon Moore attended high school at Gary West Side. He was signed as an undrafted free agent with the Jets out of the University of Illinois in 2002, last season he played in the NFL Pro Bowl in Hawaii.

Again, if you can play, they find you.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Sep 20 2012, 08:32 AM

For those who are interested, the ALCO 97 feed from the Valpo game is on the ALCO.org website. I had trouble getting it to work in firefox. I don't know if it was just me or not, but IE worked just fine.

http://www.allcommunity.org/?page_id=629

Posted by: backwoods Sep 22 2012, 05:15 AM

All I can say is WoW!!!

Nice job kids!

Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 22 2012, 11:35 AM

Congratulations to coach Mike Karpinski on his first Duneland Conference victory.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Sep 24 2012, 09:07 AM

http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/15299052-556/michigan-city-pulls-off-duneland-surprise-over-lake-central.html

QUOTE

Michigan City pulls off Duneland surprise over Lake Central

By Will Culbertson Post-Tribune correspondent September 22, 2012 Updated: September 22, 2012 2:08AM

MICHIGAN CITY — Entering Friday night’s game at Ames Field, almost everyone expected the Wolves to get steamrolled by undefeated Lake Central.

But the home team believed anything was possible. That belief led Michigan City to a 20-16 upset of the Indians (5-1, 3,1 Duneland) by a final score of 20-16. It ended the Wolves’ 18-game losing streak to DAC opponents.

All eyes were on Lake Central running back David Yancey. Unfortunately for Yancey, the Wolves were prepared to stop the Purdue commit. Michigan City’s defense limited the tailback to 40 yards rushing and 49 yards receiving.

Wolves coach Michael Karpinski was emotional when addressing his team and the media.

“I’m proud of the kids,’ he said. “They’ve been putting in the work and they’re finally starting to reap the benefits.”

After last week’s disappointing defensive effort, the Wolves defensive line played inspired football against the conference-leading Indians.

“The defense played their butts off,” Karpinski said. “They took last week’s loss very personal, and they wanted to make up for it in front of the home crowd.”

The Wolves had all the momentum going into halftime leading 14-7 but that changed in the beginning of the second half when Yancey broke off a 45-yard touchdown after a catch and run. Then, the Wolves were flagged for a questionable pass interference penalty, which really took the crowd out of the game.

Fortunately for Michigan City, the defense and special teams came up huge in the second half.

Momentum shifted again when MC’s Marquis Martin blocked an Indians punt. Later, Wolves lineman Daniel Lemon picked off Lake Central’s Alec Olund — his second of the night — to seal the game.

Michigan City (2-4, 1-3 DAC) scored three touchdowns through the air behind the arm of quarterback Ryan Washington. Washington threw for 206 yards on 9 of 18 passing. Two of those passes went for six when Martin (164 yards) took them to the house.

Said Karpinski: “I’m going to celebrate tonight, but I’m greedy. I’ll be watching film tomorrow night and getting ready for next week.”

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Sep 24 2012, 09:09 AM

http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/high-school/football/wolves-snap--game-dac-losing-streak-upset-l-c/article_b3d0092f-9f7b-599e-8620-ec0d2b88b764.html

QUOTE

September 21, 2012 10:15 pm • Paul Trembacki Times Correspondent

MICHIGAN CITY | Aberrant penalties, interceptions and negative plays after negative plays are all typical sights at a Michigan City game in the Duneland Athletic Conference.

The home crowd at Ames Field has seen plenty of them all. Only Friday night was different from the last 17 times.

This time the Wolves were the ones dancing on the turf, shaking their rain-dampened bellies and celebrating a 20-16 win over Times No. 2 Lake Central, ending a 17-game DAC losing streak for M.C. and handing the Indians their first loss of 2012.

“It was amazing,” Michigan City defensive lineman Daniel Lemon said moments after making the game-sealing interception, his second pick of the night.

“I’m speechless right now.”

The Wolves (2-4, 1-3) had just enough big plays in their offensive arsenal to supplement a huge defensive effort by Lemon and the boys up front. L.C. star David Yancey, playing tailback, wildcat quarterback and slot receiver, was held to 94 total yards and a lost fumble on 25 touches. Forty-five of those yards came on a short pass that turned into a touchdown with 7:52 to go in the third quarter and the Indians down 14-7.

“Our front line created pressure and filled the gaps,” Lemon said. “We had to do our jobs, stay in our gaps and believe in ourselves because no one believed in us.”

L.C. place-kicker Tim Ritchie missed the PAT attempt after Yancey’s TD, but he blasted a 37-yard field goal with 1:40 left in the third to give L.C. (5-1, 3-1) a 16-14 lead.

With 7:24 left in the game M.C. sophomore quarterback Ryan Washington threw his third touchdown pass of the game, a 28-yarder to Marquis Martin. A subsequent run failed, but Lake Central went three and out on the next series and fumbled a punt snap to turn it over on downs at the 4-yard line.

L.C. stonewalled a Washington sneak attempt on fourth-and-goal at the 1, but on the ensuing drive the Indians had a false start, a huge loss on a sack and a desperation fling that ended up in Lemon’s arms with about a minute to play.

“We took a lot of momentum from (a 62-41 shootout loss to Merrillville), and the whole week we were going hard,” Lemon said. “We knew the whole week we were going to beat Lake Central.”

Lake Central didn’t help itself. The Indians had 12 penalties for 115 yards. One was an early unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for illegal equipment as several players were inadvertently wearing their wristbands the wrong way. L.C. coach Brett St. Germain received a 15-yard penalty walking off the field at halftime and demanding an answer for an earlier call.

“Anything we didn’t do, I take the blame,” St. Germain said. “We got outplayed and out-coached, and I’m not going to take any credit away from Michigan City. That was a big win for (M.C. coach Mike Karpinski).”

M.C.’s first touchdown came after L.C. had tipped the ball at the goal line, and the second Wolves score, a 75-yard Washington-to-Martin hookup, saw two L.C. defenders fall.

“That’s the way the night goes,” St. Germain said. “When you don’t do things right, sometimes the football gods make you pay.”

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Sep 25 2012, 09:44 AM

For those who did not see the game in person, ALCO-97 has the VARCOM sports feed of the Wolves game up on their website for viewing. Check it out!

http://www.allcommunity.org/?page_id=629

Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 26 2012, 09:04 AM

Congratulations to Michigan City sophomore QB Ryan Washington. He was named by Mid-America Broadcasting as their Vision Point Athelete of the week.

http://www.midamericabroadcasting.com

QUOTE

Vision Point Athlete of the Week

Michigan City's QB Ryan
Washington was 9-17 and threw for
211 yards and 3 tds in a 20-16
Upset over previously unbeaten
Lake Central. He led the Wolves to
41 points vs Merrillville the week
before also.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Sep 28 2012, 08:12 AM

The Wolves travel out to Portage tonight to try to continue the momentum of their upset of the #6 Lake Central Indians. The Portage Indians are 1-5 so far this year, and 0-4 in the DAC. The other side of the coin is Michigan City since consolidation is 1-17 against the Indians. Their only win came in 2005. Also since consolidation, City has won two DAC games in a row only six times. They have never won three DAC games in a row.

I say it is time to start making some history. LET'S GO CITY!

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Sep 28 2012, 12:01 PM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Sep 28 2012, 12:48 PM)

Congrats to him! I know he is thought of often by his coaches, teammates, local photographers and even the team Moms can't say enough about him.

I am really impressed with how much he improved his game from last year to this year. He has matured a lot. Last year he was very jittery in the pocket and ready to run on a second's notice instead of letting the play develop. Plus his accuracy this year has just been outstanding. I don't see the kid practice everyday, but it would be about impossible to improve as much as he has without a lot of hard work.

Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 28 2012, 12:11 PM

QUOTE(Southsider2k12 @ Sep 28 2012, 09:12 AM)

The Wolves travel out to Portage tonight to try to continue the momentum of their upset of the #6 Lake Central Indians. The Portage Indians are 1-5 so far this year, and 0-4 in the DAC. The other side of the coin is Michigan City since consolidation is 1-17 against the Indians. Their only win came in 2005. Also since consolidation, City has won two DAC games in a row only six times. They have never won three DAC games in a row.

I say it is time to start making some history. LET'S GO CITY!

I be heading over to Portage tonight for the game, should be a good one. Should City be victorious this will be the first time the Michigan City Wolves will win an away game at Portage.

Tonight will also be my homecoming at Portage.

Posted by: Ang Sep 28 2012, 01:25 PM

LP's Homecoming is tonight, too. They're playing Crown Point. I have a feeling they won't win seeing as how they haven't won a game yet. If they do, I'm sure it will be a big upset for CP. My daughter isn't very optimistic about it, though.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Sep 28 2012, 01:39 PM

Apparently WEFM is covering the Merrillville versus Valpo game. Um, ok. Last I knew their signal didn't reach to Valpo, let alone Lake County... And who in Michigan City wants to listen to that game, when their hometown kids are going to be on the radio down the dial?

I don't get it.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Sep 28 2012, 01:40 PM

QUOTE(Ang @ Sep 28 2012, 02:25 PM)

LP's Homecoming is tonight, too. They're playing Crown Point. I have a feeling they won't win seeing as how they haven't won a game yet. If they do, I'm sure it will be a big upset for CP. My daughter isn't very optimistic about it, though.

The Slicers sound like they are pretty bad this year.

Posted by: Ang Sep 28 2012, 01:46 PM

Well, the girl told me yesterday 4 boys got kicked off the team for drugs. Don't know how much truth there is to that, but if it IS true, no wonder they can't play this year.....

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Sep 28 2012, 01:48 PM

QUOTE(Ang @ Sep 28 2012, 02:46 PM)

Well, the girl told me yesterday 4 boys got kicked off the team for drugs. Don't know how much truth there is to that, but if it IS true, no wonder they can't play this year.....

Their biggest problem was they weren't great last year, and almost all of the team was seniors. They are super young and inexperienced this season.

Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 28 2012, 01:52 PM

QUOTE(Southsider2k12 @ Sep 28 2012, 02:48 PM)

Their biggest problem was they weren't great last year, and almost all of the team was seniors. They are super young and inexperienced this season.

La Porte has 39 sophomores on their roster and are starting at every skilled position. Charles Salary and Tyler Littlejohn look like they have the potential to mature into a couple of fine running backs but right now they are just too young.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Oct 2 2012, 12:49 PM

Happy Homecoming week! City plays LP Friday night for homecoming at 7pm. The parade kicks off around 6pm from Elston to Ames Field. Hope to see a packed house Friday night!

Posted by: Ang Oct 2 2012, 01:29 PM

LP got smoked at their Homecoming. And the way they've been playing, it looks like it just might be a win for City.

How did they do against Portage? You didn't post....

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Oct 2 2012, 01:36 PM

City should have won their game against Portage, who is way better than the Slicers... But the games are played on the field for a reason.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Oct 3 2012, 09:29 AM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Oct 3 2012, 10:11 AM)

It never helps on Friday night when the "stars" miss a practice or two during the week.

Who missed practice?

Posted by: Fancy Nancy Oct 3 2012, 11:21 AM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Oct 3 2012, 10:11 AM)

It never helps on Friday night when the "stars" miss a practice or two during the week.

I agree!

Posted by: taxthedeer Oct 7 2012, 07:22 PM

Wolves travel back to Chesterton for the first round of sectionals:

5A Sectional 1

Game 1: Valparaiso at Crown Point.
Game 2: Portage at Lake Central.
Game 3: Merrillville at Munster.
Game 4: Michigan City at Chesterton

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Oct 8 2012, 06:59 AM

Looks like the years of great draws finally caught up with City.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Oct 8 2012, 10:20 AM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Oct 8 2012, 10:04 AM)

It's too bad they couldn't take advantage of some of those draws, like Goshen, Elkhart Memorial. Now they have their work cut out for them. Good time to catch a team looking ahead. Let's hope the Wolves come ready to play the next few weeks. Does anyone know if Donnie Wilson is hurt? I don't believe he has played for a couple of weeks.

He played this week, didn't do much at all. A couple of balls were thrown his direction, with no catches.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Oct 9 2012, 02:35 PM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Oct 8 2012, 10:04 AM)

It's too bad they couldn't take advantage of some of those draws, like Goshen, Elkhart Memorial. Now they have their work cut out for them. Good time to catch a team looking ahead. Let's hope the Wolves come ready to play the next few weeks. Does anyone know if Donnie Wilson is hurt? I don't believe he has played for a couple of weeks.

2010 was the worst. They had everything in place, and then that damned swineflu took out a third of the roster, including Harmon.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Oct 12 2012, 09:57 AM

It is Senior Night tonight at Ames Field vs Crown Point. This is the last chance to see the Wolves at home for 2012.

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Oct 12 2012, 12:05 PM

QUOTE(Jesse B @ Oct 12 2012, 01:02 PM)

That is until the second week of sectionals when they get the winner of Munster/Merrillville.

I like the way you think!

Posted by: taxthedeer Oct 13 2012, 04:47 PM

http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/highschools/15720674-419/football-cp-defense-stifles-michigan-city.html

QUOTE

CP defense stifles Michigan City

By Will Culbertson Post-Tribune correspondent October 12, 2012 11:44PM

Updated: October 13, 2012 2:09AM

MICHIGAN CITY — It was senior night at Ames Field but the hometown fans left disappointed as Michigan City fell 13-3 to Crown Point.

The Bulldogs (6-3, 4-3 DAC) only scored 13 points but that was all they needed. Crown Point dominated the time of possession thanks in part to junior tailback Tristan Peterson. Peterson carried the ball 19 times for 123 yards.

“Offensively, we didn’t have our best night,” CP coach Kevin Enright said. “But Tristan ran the ball hard and I have to give credit to the (offensive) line that helped give him the holes to run through.”

The Bulldogs got on the board in the first quarter when quarterback Jake Jatis hit Tyler Smith for a 22-yard touchdown pass. Then in the fourth, the junior signal caller added some insurance when he found Zach Plesac for a 6-yard score.

“Jake’s been solid all year and he’s a student of the game,” Enright said.

Jatis flashed deadly accuracy, finishing 20-of-26 for 207 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

On offense, the Wolves were unable to capitalize on turnovers. Quarterback Ryan Washington struggled all night, finishing 2-of-16 for 40 yards and two interceptions.

It appeared the Wolves were going to explode offensively when Anthony Lemon connected with Marquis Martin on a 60-yard bomb to start the game. Michigan City (2-7, 1-6 DAC) settled for a 35-yard field goal by Erik Stevenson.

The Wolves wouldn’t score for the rest of the game.

“You know, the kids fought hard and I’m extremely proud of the defense,” said Wolves coach Michael Karpinski.

The Wolves will have to pick up their play heading into next week’s sectional matchup with Chesterton.

Said Karpinski: “No question they’re (Chesterton) good, but I think we’re a little bit of a different team since last time.”

Posted by: taxthedeer Oct 13 2012, 06:54 PM

I got a good laugh reading professor Mark Smith's game preview and history lesson of Friday nights game against Crown Point.

http://usa-365.com/week_9_2012_preview_CP_at_MC_10-11-2012.htm

QUOTE

Week 9 - Football Game of the Week Preview

Crown Point (5-3, 3-3 DAC)
at Michigan City (2-6, 1-5 DAC)

A USA-365.com Special Report by Mark Smith
10-11-2012

The Michigan City Wolves are better known for basketball and their 7,100-seat gymnasium (above). But Friday's game with CP will be played at Ames Field, 3-miles north of I-94 on US-Rt. 421. (Photo by Mark Smith)
When: 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 14, 2012
Where: Ames Field, 3 miles north of I-94 at US 421. George Ames was the mayor of Michigan City in the late 1800s and Michigan City plays football in an old renovated minor league baseball park on the west side of US 421 in town. Remember that Michigan City does NOT play varsity football at Michigan City high school. Please don't go there. It will be dark. No one will be there. You'll feel stupid.
Tickets: $6
TV/Radio/Internet: Live updates of all local scores all night on WLPR (89.1) FM. Live Internet on www.USA-365.com.

Enrollment: CP - 2,532; Michigan City - 1,909.

WEATHER: Another cold night for Crown Point far from home and there aren't many colder places in NW Indiana than the north end of Michigan City. Daytime temperatures will sit in the mid-50s, which means you'll be sitting in mid-40s conditions by the second half kickoff. No rain is predicted Thursday or Friday so another shootout is likely on the fast artificial turf. But if you aren't playing, you better bring a couple of coats or you're not going to be able to sit outside for a while. I always think that you should go and watch the hometown boys play, but if you found something else to do this Friday, I couldn't blame you.

PARKING: There's not a lot of parking here, but that's not going to be a big issue on this night. As entertaining as this game should be, I don't expect a lot of people from Crown Point to travel 45 miles to watch the Bulldogs play the last place team in the DAC. This is the final home game for Michigan City and they know it. They drew a sectional quarterfinal game at Chesterton to begin the playoffs and Chesterton is a team that defeated Michigan City 55-0 in August. So a few more Michigan City fans should come out to see if their boys can win the final game in their stadium. But everybody wants to come to the game until the temperatures drop into the 40s.

WHAT's AT STAKE: Nothing. Absolutely nothing. This is the final home game for Michigan City and a win keeps them out of last place in the DAC. Crown Point is going to finish fourth in the DAC win or lose and they're going to host Valpo in the Class 5A Sectional 1 quarterfinals on Oct. 19 win or lose. I would expect CP to get some back up players into the game on this night, even if the game stays relatively close. So if you are related to somebody who does not start, you might want to go to see your guy get it. But by Saturday morning, this game is probably going to be forgotten.

The HISTORY: Forty miles east of Chicago and 50 miles west of South Bend, Michigan City is exactly what the name suggests, a 178-year-old town on Lake Michigan that carries the Lake Michigan shoreline from Michigan into Indiana.

I did not know until this week that 'Michigan City' is named after the "Michigan Road," a US government-designed road project from the top (Lake Michigan) to the bottom (the Ohio River) of the state, planned after the Potawatomi Indians were "removed" from the land after the war of 1812.

What is now US-20 in Michigan City and US-31 through South Bend (they couldn't run any real road through the Kankakee River swamp area so the Michigan Road had to veer east through South Bend) and Plymouth sit on the old "Michigan Road" that began construction in Madison in 1830. It was never much more than a muddy path in some locations and it twisted and turned in a lot of counties but the Michigan Road is how settlers got to northern Indiana from the south in the mid-1800s.

The "Michigan Road" is called Indiana's first "superhighway" because the route was a bold idea. But it was never a solid paved road all the way. The portion of superhighway I-65 (built in the late 1950s), which runs 260 miles from Jeffersonville up to Gary is, in some respects, the modern day version of the "Michigan Road."

Major Issac Elston, who lived in Crawfordsville, bought the land that is now Michigan City sight unseen for $1.25 an acre because he saw the need for a town at the "top" of the "Michigan Road." MC was originally supposed to be a harbor town on the lake, but it originally was a stop for stagecoaches and the railroad. John Barker, a local grain shipper created a company (Haskell and Barker) that built railroad cars at a plant in Michigan City. H & B was the number one business in town for over 125 years producing almost one half million rail cars. Any good rail museum in the midwest probably has a railcar built by Haskell and Barker of Michigan City.

With beaches and dunes, Michigan City is now a very nice place to live except for one thing. It is in the heart of the "snow belt," the area where "lake effect" snow, carried by traditional northwest winter winds coming down the length of the tongue-shaped Lake Michigan, blows inland and gets in your face.

On Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15-16, 1958, the wind blew 48 inches of lake effect snow onto Michigan City, Indiana. Drifts as high as eight feet tall shut the city down and prevented rescue plows from getting into town for days. In the winter, it is not uncommon for it to be a sunny day in Crown Point while there's a blizzard in Michigan City. It's something they don't like to talk about.

The population of Michigan City has been stable or dropping in the last couple of generations. The city had 40,000 residents in 1970 and 30,000 now. But there's always been a lot of people there. Over 20,000 in 1920 and 10,000 in 1890. The South Shore rail line still runs from South Bend to downtown Chicago and has two stops in Michigan City everyday. Other than the fact that John Dillinger escaped from jail in both towns in the 1920s, Crown Point and Michigan City don't have a lot in common. CP is defined by the downtown courthouse. Michigan City's symbol is the lighthouse. You can stand on the beach in Michigan City and see the Chicago skyline.

The Issac Elston legacy exists in Michigan City high school, which consolidated from Michigan City Rogers and Michigan City Elston high schools in 1995. Elston is the original Michigan City (it's now a middle school) near the center of town. The present Michigan City high school is the old Michigan City Rogers site, opened in 1971. Michigan City, under any name, has always been a basketball school. They have the seventh largest gymnasium (capacity 7,100) in the state and they host the annual big school boys basketball regional in NW Indiana.

But MC has never been a high school football powerhouse. When Michigan City beat Lake Central this season, it broke a 17-game losing streak in conference play. MC has never won the Duneland Athletic Conference (DAC) in football and I don't see it on the horizon due to the enrollment disparity between MC (1,900) and schools like CP (2900) and Lake Central (3200). When the IHSAA goes to a 6-class playoff format in 2012, MC will probably be 5A while Crown Point moves up to Class 6A. But because of the rivalry with LaPorte (just 10 miles to the east) I would guess MC is very happy to be the eighth member of the DAC.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5A MICHIGAN CITY Wolves (2-6, 1-5 DAC)
Coach: Michael Karpinski (2nd season) 3-15

Aug. 17 (W) 33-0 Gary Roosevelt (3-5)
Aug. 24 (L) 7-33 at South Bend Washington (1-7)
Aug. 31 (L) 0-55 at Chesterton (7-1)
Sep. 7 (L) 0-35 Valparaiso (3-5)
Sep. 14 (L) 41-62 at Merrillville (7-1)
Sep. 21 (W) 20-16 Lake Central (6-2)
Sep. 28 (L) 21-24 at Portage (2-6)
Oct. 5 (L) 12-13 LaPorte (1-7)
Oct. 12 (Fri.) Crown Point (5-3)

Class 5A Sectional 1
Oct. 19 at Chesterton (7-1)

MICHIGAN CITY Update:

MICHIGAN CITY (10-12-2012) What gives you hope for the Wolves, who were 2-8 in 2011, is that they are scoring points this season. After putting only 40 points up in the first four games this fall, MC has scored 94 (23.5) against four league rivals the last four weeks. You have to have an offensive line and skill players who can score points, otherwise your defense is going to crumble no matter how good they are.

Michigan City has found a quarterback in sophomore Ryan Washington (6-0, 195) who was just 7-of-22 for 95 yards last week in the 13-12 loss to arch-rival LaPorte. Washington (71 of 163, 13 TDs) is also a rushing threat who ran 12 times for 96 yards and two TDs last week and he gives the Wolves hope they can win. Even though MC has lost three of their last four, they have been competitive in every game after being blown out three times in a row.

Senior Marquis Martin (5-11, 165) has 15 catches for 352 yards and four TDs. That 23-yards-per-catch average will get special attention Friday. In the upset for Lake Central, Washington was 9-of-18 for 206 yards and Martin caught four for 164 yards, including the winning 28-yard TD pass with 7:24 to play. In a 62-41 loss to Merrillville on Sept. 14, Washington was 13 of 41 for 227 yards and junior receiver Donovan Wilson (6-2, 180) caught six for 123 yards. Junior Logan Kaletha (6-0, 170) caught two TDs against Merrillville and he completes a frisky trio of targets for Washington.

MC isn't going to try to run the ball 50 times, but a 14-point lead is not safe against them on a dry night at home. Senior James Washington (5-10, 215) is the fullback who will get the ball when they need a yard.

Defensively MC has allowed almost 30 points a game, a statistic made even worse when you consider that they shut out Gary Roosevelt to start the season. Washington is the top linebacker. Nose guard Michael Simons (5-10, 280) will hold down the middle and end Danny Lemon (6-2, 250) will be called on to rush the passer.

Michigan City has to outscore good teams. They may be a little down in spirit after losing 13-12 last week to a big rival and 24-21 to LaPorte the week before. When they topped Lake Central, I'm sure they saw a four game season-ending win streak. But after losing to Portage (2-6) and LaPorte (1-7), spirits may be low. But this is the final home game for seniors and those boys will be up for it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CROWN POINT Bulldogs (5-3)
Coach: Kevin Enright (1st year)
Aug. 17 (W) 28-21 Lowell (5-3)
Aug. 24 (W) 37-19 at Hobart (6-2)
Aug. 31 (L) 12-40 at MERRILLVILLE (7-1)
Sep. 7 (L) 7-27 LAKE CENTRAL (6-2)
Sep. 14 (W) 41-0 PORTAGE (2-6)
Sep. 21 (W) 28-21 at VALPARAISO (3-5)
Sep. 28 (W) 35-21 at LaPORTE (1-7)
Oct. 5 (L) 21-28 CHESTERTON (7-1)
Oct. 12 at MICHIGAN CITY (2-6)

Class 5A Sectional 1
Oct. 19 (Fri.) Valparaiso (3-5)
Oct. 26 (Fri.) at LC or Portage

CROWN POINT Update:

CROWN POINT (10-5-12) Crown Point trailed most of the way in a 28-21 loss to Chesterton last week, the third time they've lost to the three top teams in the DAC. The Bulldogs got halfback Tristan Peterson back off suspension and moved slot receiver Tyler Smith (8 TDs) back to his original position. QB Jake Jatis (6-5, 215) ran for three short TDs and had one of his better games, leading a turnover-free offense.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CROWN POINT (5-3) at Michigan City (2-6)
at Ames Stadium - capacity: 5,000 in Michigan City
Sagarin Computer rankings: Crown Point by 20

MICHIGAN CITY (10-12-2012) Last week, Chesterton was favored by 13 and won by seven over CP. This week, CP is a big favorite because MC has lost to Portage (2-6) and LaPorte (1-7). It's pretty much that simple. Crown Point has not lost to a team with anything close to a losing record.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN: The trick here is to figure out what happens if both teams come out flat. MC has lost two winnable games, while CP has faced all the winning teams they're going to see.

Crown Point's going to try to keep MC's play makers on the sidelines by running the ball with halfback Tristan Peterson, slot receiver Tyler Smith and QB Jake Jatis. Peterson will score a couple of rally TDs for a 14-0 edge before MC responds with a TD pass from Ryan Washington to Logan Kaletha. The Bulldogs take a 17-7 lead at the half on a field goal from Evan Markowitz.

In the third quarter, Jatis will fire TD passes to Braxton Rice and Zach Plesac to up the lead to four TDs before Michigan City rallies. Washington will throw 35-40 times and he'll put up two more scores on TD passes. The Bulldogs will also get two interceptions, one by Tyler Smith returned for another TD.

CROWN POINT 38, Michigan City 21

Posted by: taxthedeer Oct 16 2012, 07:47 PM

Condolences to the Overman family and collegues on the passing away of coach Vic Overman's widow Suzanne.

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/10/16/obituaries/doc507ccd41393a5694527211.txt

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Oct 19 2012, 09:01 PM

City loses their sectional game to Chesterton 37-7 and their season is over.

Posted by: taxthedeer Oct 20 2012, 08:00 AM

QUOTE(Southsider2k12 @ Oct 19 2012, 10:01 PM)

City loses their sectional game to Chesterton 37-7 and their season is over.

Depending on other area schools enrollment figures, Michigan City's sectional next season should be much more winnable. Going to be interesting to see if Chesterton remains in 5A or moves up to the new 6A and if East Chicago moves up to 5A or remains in 4A.

Posted by: Ang Oct 22 2012, 08:05 AM

Does anyone know why LaPorte played at team from Ft. Wayne? Seems to be awful far away for a sectional game.

Posted by: taxthedeer Oct 22 2012, 12:49 PM

QUOTE(Ang @ Oct 22 2012, 09:05 AM)

Does anyone know why LaPorte played at team from Ft. Wayne? Seems to be awful far away for a sectional game.

La Porte plays in class 5A sectional 2. Carroll High School in Fort Wayne is one of the eight schools in that sectional along with Penn, Goshen, Elkhart Memorial, Elkhart Central, Warsaw and South Bend Adams and La Porte drew a home game Carroll Fort Wayne in the the first round when the IHSAA conducted it's random blind sectional draw a couple weeks ago.

How the IHSAA conducts a sectional draw is that they have 40 boxes (one box for each sectional of 315 ping pong balls. Each box has contains 7 or 8 ping pong (depending on how many schools are in that sectional) balls with a schools name on it, IHSAA commissioner Bobby Cox takes a box and dumps the ping pong balls into one of those lottery/bingo style fan operated air mix machines, the ping ping pong balls get mixed up, Mr. Cox stands there like he's Linda Kollmeyer drawing the Illinois lottery daily pick 3 and pick 4 game on the WGN channel 9 news, the ping pong balls pop up one by one Mr. Cox picks them off one by one and the sectional is determined in the order the ping pong balls pop up.

Most folks think the sectionals should be seeded but have various ideas and criteria on how that should be done. I believe if the IHSAA keeps the blind draw they should scrap the ping pong ball lottery system and switch to a computer grenrated randomizer.

Posted by: MC Born & Raised Oct 22 2012, 06:01 PM

QUOTE(taxthedeer @ Oct 22 2012, 01:49 PM)

La Porte plays in class 5A sectional 2. Carroll High School in Fort Wayne is one of the eight schools in that sectional along with Penn, Goshen, Elkhart Memorial, Elkhart Central, Warsaw and South Bend Adams and La Porte drew a home game Carroll Fort Wayne in the the first round when the IHSAA conducted it's random blind sectional draw a couple weeks ago.

How the IHSAA conducts a sectional draw is that they have 40 boxes (one box for each sectional of 315 ping pong balls. Each box has contains 7 or 8 ping pong (depending on how many schools are in that sectional) balls with a schools name on it, IHSAA commissioner Bobby Cox takes a box and dumps the ping pong balls into one of those lottery/bingo style fan operated air mix machines, the ping ping pong balls get mixed up, Mr. Cox stands there like he's Linda Kollmeyer drawing the Illinois lottery daily pick 3 and pick 4 game on the WGN channel 9 news, the ping pong balls pop up one by one Mr. Cox picks them off one by one and the sectional is determined in the order the ping pong balls pop up.

Most folks think the sectionals should be seeded but have various ideas and criteria on how that should be done. I believe if the IHSAA keeps the blind draw they should scrap the ping pong ball lottery system and switch to a computer grenrated randomizer.

LOL ... I can't tell if this is a legitimate answer or kinda smart-alecky (sp?)

Posted by: taxthedeer Oct 22 2012, 07:32 PM

QUOTE(MC Born & Raised @ Oct 22 2012, 07:01 PM)

LOL ... I can't tell if this is a legitimate answer or kinda smart-alecky (sp?)

Try it yourself:

Go to:

www.random.org/list

Copy and paste in the field:

Chesterton
Crown Point
Merrillville
Michigan City
Munster
Lake Central
Portage
Valparaiso

Press the Randomize button

Wala

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Nov 26 2012, 08:36 AM

http://www.laportecountylife.com/sports/high-schools/27108-wolves-represented-by-three-on-2012-all-dac-football-team

QUOTE

Written by Brett Fuller
Last Updated on 07 November 2012

The Michigan City High School football team may have finished last in the conference for the 2012 season, but that didn't stop the Wolves from being well represented on the 2012 All-Duneland Athletic Conference team.

Congratulations to Scott Kaletha, Marquis Martin, Anthony Lemon on earning All-Conference honors for the Wolves!

Printable Version of Topic

Click here to view this topic in its original format

City by the Lake.org, The Voice of Michigan City, Indiana _ City Sports _ 2012 Michigan City Wolves Football thread

Posted by: Southsider2k12 Jul 10 2012, 12:07 PM

Posted by: MC Born & Raised Jul 10 2012, 01:03 PM

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Posted by: MSFOOTBALL Aug 10 2012, 07:14 AM

Posted by: Red Devil Aug 11 2012, 08:43 AM

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