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City by the Lake.org, The Voice of Michigan City, Indiana _ City Sports _ Michigan City Wolves Football
Posted by: taxthedeer Jul 25 2009, 02:56 PM
Pulled this image off varcomsports.com. I'd like to ask anyone who reads this thread to come out on Friday nights with your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers etc., on the home dates shown above this fall to Ames Field and support our Wolves.
I'd also kindly like to request that one of the forum admins to pin this topic.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Jul 25 2009, 09:27 PM
The thread is pinned! I can't wait for football. This is the team in City that is the most poised to make a jump in the next season.
Posted by: Ang Jul 27 2009, 10:53 AM
I also believe this will be THE year for the Wolves football program.
I will be found at Ames on Friday nights, my game coat is out and ready to go!! (You'll know it's me cause all the Athletic staff have the same coat and my name is embroidered on it! 
)
Posted by: southsider2k9 Jul 30 2009, 09:31 AM
http://www.post-trib.com/sports/hutton/1687812,hutton-0728.article
QUOTE
The one ah-ha hire on the board was supposed to be at Lew Wallace, where they were set to bring in Eric Schreiber, a hard charging assistant from Griffith with a track record as a head coach at Bishop Noll and Greensburg.
He was going to take the job as a challenge with the idea he could help young kids and build something respectable.
Contrary to a couldn't-be-more-wrong published report, Schreiber is not the coach. He's going to Michigan City to coach the offense and to teach, according to Griffith head coach Russ Radtke.
They couldn't find a teaching job for him in the building so he bolted.
He was going to take the job as a challenge with the idea he could help young kids and build something respectable.
Contrary to a couldn't-be-more-wrong published report, Schreiber is not the coach. He's going to Michigan City to coach the offense and to teach, according to Griffith head coach Russ Radtke.
They couldn't find a teaching job for him in the building so he bolted.
Posted by: taxthedeer Jul 30 2009, 11:23 AM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Jul 30 2009, 10:31 AM) 
http://www.post-trib.com/sports/hutton/1687812,hutton-0728.article
Posted by: southsider2k9 Jul 30 2009, 02:06 PM
http://indianahsfootball.homestead.com/files/logs173.htm
QUOTE
MICHIGAN CITY
WOLVES
Coach: Craig Buzea, 6-14 in 3rd year at school, 113-59 in 17th year overall
DATE OPPONENT CENTRAL TIME OA 0.0, DA 0.0
Aug. 21 Gary Roosevelt {4A} 7:00 pm
Aug. 28 South Bend Washington {4A} 7:00 pm
Sep. 4 Chesterton {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
Sep. 11 at Valparaiso {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
Sep. 18 Merrillville {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
Sep. 25 at Lake Central {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
Oct. 2 Portage {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
Oct. 9 at LaPorte {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
Oct. 16 at Crown Point {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
WOLVES
Coach: Craig Buzea, 6-14 in 3rd year at school, 113-59 in 17th year overall
DATE OPPONENT CENTRAL TIME OA 0.0, DA 0.0
Aug. 21 Gary Roosevelt {4A} 7:00 pm
Aug. 28 South Bend Washington {4A} 7:00 pm
Sep. 4 Chesterton {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
Sep. 11 at Valparaiso {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
Sep. 18 Merrillville {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
Sep. 25 at Lake Central {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
Oct. 2 Portage {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
Oct. 9 at LaPorte {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
Oct. 16 at Crown Point {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
Posted by: southsider2k9 Aug 1 2009, 09:57 AM
The announcement has been officially made, Adam Parkhouse and I will be your radio voices for Michigan City Wolves football in 2009 on WIMS radio. I can't wait!
Posted by: Ang Aug 1 2009, 09:59 AM
Are they doing the New Prairie scrimmage this year? It's not on the above schedule.
Posted by: taxthedeer Aug 7 2009, 11:23 AM
Accoridng to the schedule poster they will be schrimmaging against New Prairie, unsure of the date and time.
Here's what's going on tomorrow, sounds like something fun to do before heading to Washington Park beach for boat race trials (weather permitting):
Wolves BLUE - GRAY Game SATURDAY @ 10:00 am
The Michigan CityHigh School Football Team is inviting the public to their Pre-Season Intra squad Blue–Gray Game on Saturday August 8th, starting at 10:00 a.m. at Ames Field.
After the scrimmage, the Wolves players will meet and greet their fans on the field and will be available to sign autographs for the youngsters and take pictures with the players as well.
Free hot dogs will be available to all fans. MC Football t-shirts, visors and posters will be available to purchase
Posted by: southsider2k9 Aug 7 2009, 10:23 PM
Excellent. I am going to try to make it out there.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Aug 8 2009, 11:07 AM
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=95877&id=44763113874&saved#/album.php?aid=95877&id=44763113874&ref=mf
Here are the first pictures from the 8/8/9 intrasquad practice game for the Wolves football team, also the first sports activity on the new field turf at Ames. The turf really held up well after a night of rain. There were no slips that I saw while I was watching them. The offense looks like it is going to be opened up this year as they operated exclusively out of the shotgun during their practice. They really looked sharped as they moved the ball really well. Adam Harmon looked good at RB, as did new QB junior Rodney Washington.
Posted by: taxthedeer Aug 10 2009, 12:07 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Aug 8 2009, 12:07 PM)
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=95877&id=44763113874&saved#/album.php?aid=95877&id=44763113874&ref=mf
Here are the first pictures from the 8/8/9 intrasquad practice game for the Wolves football team, also the first sports activity on the new field turf at Ames. The turf really held up well after a night of rain. There were no slips that I saw while I was watching them. The offense looks like it is going to be opened up this year as they operated exclusively out of the shotgun during their practice. They really looked sharped as they moved the ball really well. Adam Harmon looked good at RB, as did new QB junior Rodney Washington.
ALCO interview:
http://alco.org/images/stories/videos/asdv 073009 17min.wmv
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=25058&TM=50047
Posted by: southsider2k9 Aug 13 2009, 11:31 AM
QUOTE(taxthedeer @ Aug 10 2009, 01:07 PM)
After watching the ALCO interview with coach Buzea reading Parkhouse's Home Cookin' article in the N-D, I found it interesting that coach Scheirber was brought in from Griffith to run a spread option offense. Not exactly my favorite style of football to watch, but I guess the coaching staff figures that will be their best chance of having any type of success with the players they have on this years team.
ALCO interview:
http://alco.org/images/stories/videos/asdv 073009 17min.wmv
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=25058&TM=50047
Having watched this team for a few years, this is a great move for them. To be honest, this team is small, and usually is small when compared to their DAC foes. They really have large disadvantages in the trenches because of this. They also usually get worn down as the season goes on (my theory). I think a switch to this offense will really take some pressure off of the backs and tightends and maybe save them a little more as the season goes on. It also looks like the skill personnel are a good fit as both the QB and RB (Washington and Harmon) have the skills to make it work.
As a reminder you can hear Adam and I tomorrow night on the call for the practice game against New Prairie on WIMS
Posted by: taxthedeer Aug 13 2009, 04:15 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Aug 13 2009, 12:31 PM)
Having watched this team for a few years, this is a great move for them. To be honest, this team is small, and usually is small when compared to their DAC foes. They really have large disadvantages in the trenches because of this. They also usually get worn down as the season goes on (my theory). I think a switch to this offense will really take some pressure off of the backs and tightends and maybe save them a little more as the season goes on. It also looks like the skill personnel are a good fit as both the QB and RB (Washington and Harmon) have the skills to make it work.
As a reminder you can hear Adam and I tomorrow night on the call for the practice game against New Prairie on WIMS
Wolves really arn't that "small" Buzea said in the interview that he's got one kid the weighs 305 lbs. that was named the junior all-state team and another 280 lbs Purdue recruit. I just prey that the key players avoid the dreaded injury bug.
I'm really glad to see the Wolves moved back into sectional 2, how sweet would it be to for the Wolves knock Penn out of the playoffs
.A big thumbs up to the folks at WIMS for broadcasting Wolves football over the airwaves.
Does anybody know the names, grade and position(s) of the 15 fellas featured on the schedule poster?
Everybody get out to the schrimage tommorrow night, weather is supposed to be beautiful.
Posted by: taxthedeer Aug 14 2009, 10:37 AM
Be sure to stop in across the street at Al's and pick-up a can of Spam or something.
All spectators attending the City game are asked to bring a non-perishable food item as admission to the game. All donated food will be given to the Salvation Army Food Pantry. Without the item, admission is $2.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Aug 14 2009, 03:56 PM
Last minute notice, but WIMS will NOT be broadcasting tonight. It seems NIPSCO fried their transmitter, and can't work on it until after the game is going to be over.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Aug 15 2009, 01:21 PM
I'll share my thoughts on the scrimmage later on!
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=25183
QUOTE
PRACTICE WORTH STUDYING
H.S. Football: New Prairie at Michigan City (Scrimmage)
Adam Parkhouse
Staff Writer
MICHIGAN CITY - Michigan City worked on its passing game and New Prairie worked on, well, what New Prairie does.
At the end of the day, both coaches had the same thought following Friday's scrimmage at Ames Field: Time to look at the tape.
"We're the same as we've always been," second-year New Prairie coach Marty Mosson said, his team running the option as efficiently as usual. "We'll have to look at the film before we can judge (anything)."
Michigan City coach Craig Buzea admitted his team will look nothing like the one present Friday once the season starts for real next week.
"We told our guys we'd run one running play," Buzea said. "We came out here with the idea that we'd throw the ball because we thought our passing game needed a little work."
Indeed, City was pass-heavy, quite the departure from last weekend's intra-squad scrimmage which featured a spread option attack.
"It's not gonna be our identity to throw that much," Buzea said. "But we view this as a practice."
The scrimmage was broken up into three different segments: First, each team ran 15 plays from its own 35-yard line; then each squad took 10 snaps from its opponent's 10-yard line; last, the first-teamers took 12 snaps from the opponent's 35-yard line.
Though no official score was kept, the scrimmage was essentially a stalemate with each team scoring three touchdowns.
During New Prairie's first set, City's defense stood tall and kept the Cougars out of the end zone, forcing one turnover when Phil Taylor intercepted a David Siddall pass.
When it was City's turn with the ball, it appeared the Wolves would march down the field at will. The first play was a 14-yard run from Adam Harmon. After junior quarterback Rodney Washington was tackled for a 3-yard loss, he hooked up with Harmon for a 41-yard pass and Harmon scored from 13 yards out on the next play.
But that was City's lone touchdown of the 15-play set, though the Wolves did threaten. Washington hooked up with Blake Surface for a 29-yard gain then with Harmon on the next play for 11 yards. But Trevor Woolum caught what looked to be a probable TD, only to fumble on the goalline. New Prairie recovered, and City didn't threaten again for the rest of the set.
In the goalline set, Siddall threw a pair of touchdown passes (on the fourth and ninth plays).
City answered with two touchdowns of its own, a 2-yard run from Harmon and a 19-yard strike from Washington to Tracy Rivera after consecutive big losses.
Siddall threw his third touchdown pass of the night for the run-happy Cougars on New Prairie's second play in the third set, a 35-yard strike.
"We hadn't talked much about passing," Buzea said. "So we got beat over the top a couple times."
City was held scoreless in its final set, turning the ball over on downs once.
All in all, this night was more about evaluating talent than scoreboard watching.
"Some of the guys are known," Buzea said. "We just want to put some other guys under the fire for the first time.
"The whole idea is to get it on film."
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
H.S. Football: New Prairie at Michigan City (Scrimmage)
Adam Parkhouse
Staff Writer
MICHIGAN CITY - Michigan City worked on its passing game and New Prairie worked on, well, what New Prairie does.
At the end of the day, both coaches had the same thought following Friday's scrimmage at Ames Field: Time to look at the tape.
"We're the same as we've always been," second-year New Prairie coach Marty Mosson said, his team running the option as efficiently as usual. "We'll have to look at the film before we can judge (anything)."
Michigan City coach Craig Buzea admitted his team will look nothing like the one present Friday once the season starts for real next week.
"We told our guys we'd run one running play," Buzea said. "We came out here with the idea that we'd throw the ball because we thought our passing game needed a little work."
Indeed, City was pass-heavy, quite the departure from last weekend's intra-squad scrimmage which featured a spread option attack.
"It's not gonna be our identity to throw that much," Buzea said. "But we view this as a practice."
The scrimmage was broken up into three different segments: First, each team ran 15 plays from its own 35-yard line; then each squad took 10 snaps from its opponent's 10-yard line; last, the first-teamers took 12 snaps from the opponent's 35-yard line.
Though no official score was kept, the scrimmage was essentially a stalemate with each team scoring three touchdowns.
During New Prairie's first set, City's defense stood tall and kept the Cougars out of the end zone, forcing one turnover when Phil Taylor intercepted a David Siddall pass.
When it was City's turn with the ball, it appeared the Wolves would march down the field at will. The first play was a 14-yard run from Adam Harmon. After junior quarterback Rodney Washington was tackled for a 3-yard loss, he hooked up with Harmon for a 41-yard pass and Harmon scored from 13 yards out on the next play.
But that was City's lone touchdown of the 15-play set, though the Wolves did threaten. Washington hooked up with Blake Surface for a 29-yard gain then with Harmon on the next play for 11 yards. But Trevor Woolum caught what looked to be a probable TD, only to fumble on the goalline. New Prairie recovered, and City didn't threaten again for the rest of the set.
In the goalline set, Siddall threw a pair of touchdown passes (on the fourth and ninth plays).
City answered with two touchdowns of its own, a 2-yard run from Harmon and a 19-yard strike from Washington to Tracy Rivera after consecutive big losses.
Siddall threw his third touchdown pass of the night for the run-happy Cougars on New Prairie's second play in the third set, a 35-yard strike.
"We hadn't talked much about passing," Buzea said. "So we got beat over the top a couple times."
City was held scoreless in its final set, turning the ball over on downs once.
All in all, this night was more about evaluating talent than scoreboard watching.
"Some of the guys are known," Buzea said. "We just want to put some other guys under the fire for the first time.
"The whole idea is to get it on film."
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Aug 17 2009, 01:32 PM
Well going by what I saw Friday, there is still a bit of a learning curve for the Wolves in this offense. They made a lot of big plays, but they also had a lot of plays for losses. They are going to have to eliminate the mistakes, as they won't be able to beat teams if they are 3rd and 15 on a regular basis.
The defense is a little scarier to me, as there were too many times that NP seemed to move the ball at will against us.
My prediction is that we see lots of high scoring shootouts at Ames this year.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Aug 17 2009, 10:08 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=25206
QUOTE
THE RUNDOWN - WEEK BY WEEK
Home Cookin'
Adam Parkhouse
Sports Editor, The News-Dispatch
Fans of Michigan City's football team have now gotten the opportunity for a couple looks at the 2009 squad.
What have we learned so far? Well, talk to me after Week 2.
You might be saying, "Week 2? But you've always said that the Duneland Conference opener in Week 3 is always the real, true test."
That's true, I have written that many times. But things have changed a bit. First, South Bend Washington beat City - an albeit suspension-depleted City squad - last season during Week 2.
Many of the players from that Panthers squad are back this year, and apparently some newcomers have hopped aboard, causing coach Craig Buzea to tell me Washington may be the best team on the schedule this season.
That's a good thing to me. Competition is a good thing, and you want to be prepared for the rigors of the DAC.
What about the rest of the schedule? Week 1 (Gary Roosevelt) is a throw-away game. Nothing against the Panthers players, but the program is in disarray. There were even reports as recent as within the last week that the Panthers were still looking for players.
The DAC schedule, as anyone knows, is unforgiving. Here's the breakdown (all games start at 7 p.m.):
Sept. 4: Chesterton - City took a pair of defeats at the hands of the co-DAC champion Trojans in 2008 (33-21 in the regular season and 28-19 in the sectional). The Trojans are always pretty tough, and an option-heavy attack this season could cause problems for the Wolves, who did get a look at a similar attack Friday in the scrimmage against New Prairie.
Sept. 11: at Valparaiso - The Vikings, co-DAC champs in 2008, handed the Wolves their worst loss of the season (32-14) and most agree are the favorite to repeat as conference kings this season. Valpo's had just one losing regular season since 1994.
Sept. 18: Merrillville - There are a few things guaranteed in life: Death, taxes and Merrillville football being a tough team to beat. The Pirates downed the Wolves last season on a last-second field goal (17-14) but the Wolves will look to beat the Pirates for the first time since 2000.
Sept. 25: at Lake Central - When the Indians came into the DAC in 2003, they were the doormats of the league for three seasons, going 0-21 in DAC play during that time. Since then, Lake Central has developed into a tough program capable of hanging with any opponent. City beat the Indians 10-7 last year at Ames Field.
Oct. 2: Portage - The Buzz Bowl returns to Ames as Buzea takes on his former team for the third time. The Indians beat City 27-13 in 2007 and won an overtime thriller last season 20-14, arguably City's most disappointing loss of the season. As many of the Portage players who played for Buzea during his highly successful run with the school move on, this game will take on less intensity, but that element will always be there.
Oct. 9: at La Porte - City topped its intra-county rival 34-28 in a shootout last season. The Slicers have lost quite a bit, but still have one of the best quarterbacks in the league in senior Dustin DeMuth. Of course emotions always run high in this matchup and, as the saying goes, throw the records out the window when they meet.
Oct. 16: at Crown Point - City's 7-3 win over Crown Point to end the 2008 regular season was a great win, even if the Bulldogs weren't quite to their form from the previous three seasons. Crown Point is always a difficult place to play and this remains a difficult way to end the season.
So what's my prediction? I could see anywhere from two to seven wins. I know, that's a big range.
But Weeks 2 through 5 are brutal, and it's quite conceivable City could leave that stretch 1-4. If they're 3-2 after that stretch, I think six wins is a really good possibility.
But that's life in the DAC. Every game is tough and you can take nothing for granted.
If you do, you get burned. Here's to hoping the Wolves aren't left reaching painfully for the aloe vera.
For more info on the Wolves and all the area squads, check out our football preview in Thursday's edition of The News-Dispatch.
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Home Cookin'
Adam Parkhouse
Sports Editor, The News-Dispatch
Fans of Michigan City's football team have now gotten the opportunity for a couple looks at the 2009 squad.
What have we learned so far? Well, talk to me after Week 2.
You might be saying, "Week 2? But you've always said that the Duneland Conference opener in Week 3 is always the real, true test."
That's true, I have written that many times. But things have changed a bit. First, South Bend Washington beat City - an albeit suspension-depleted City squad - last season during Week 2.
Many of the players from that Panthers squad are back this year, and apparently some newcomers have hopped aboard, causing coach Craig Buzea to tell me Washington may be the best team on the schedule this season.
That's a good thing to me. Competition is a good thing, and you want to be prepared for the rigors of the DAC.
What about the rest of the schedule? Week 1 (Gary Roosevelt) is a throw-away game. Nothing against the Panthers players, but the program is in disarray. There were even reports as recent as within the last week that the Panthers were still looking for players.
The DAC schedule, as anyone knows, is unforgiving. Here's the breakdown (all games start at 7 p.m.):
Sept. 4: Chesterton - City took a pair of defeats at the hands of the co-DAC champion Trojans in 2008 (33-21 in the regular season and 28-19 in the sectional). The Trojans are always pretty tough, and an option-heavy attack this season could cause problems for the Wolves, who did get a look at a similar attack Friday in the scrimmage against New Prairie.
Sept. 11: at Valparaiso - The Vikings, co-DAC champs in 2008, handed the Wolves their worst loss of the season (32-14) and most agree are the favorite to repeat as conference kings this season. Valpo's had just one losing regular season since 1994.
Sept. 18: Merrillville - There are a few things guaranteed in life: Death, taxes and Merrillville football being a tough team to beat. The Pirates downed the Wolves last season on a last-second field goal (17-14) but the Wolves will look to beat the Pirates for the first time since 2000.
Sept. 25: at Lake Central - When the Indians came into the DAC in 2003, they were the doormats of the league for three seasons, going 0-21 in DAC play during that time. Since then, Lake Central has developed into a tough program capable of hanging with any opponent. City beat the Indians 10-7 last year at Ames Field.
Oct. 2: Portage - The Buzz Bowl returns to Ames as Buzea takes on his former team for the third time. The Indians beat City 27-13 in 2007 and won an overtime thriller last season 20-14, arguably City's most disappointing loss of the season. As many of the Portage players who played for Buzea during his highly successful run with the school move on, this game will take on less intensity, but that element will always be there.
Oct. 9: at La Porte - City topped its intra-county rival 34-28 in a shootout last season. The Slicers have lost quite a bit, but still have one of the best quarterbacks in the league in senior Dustin DeMuth. Of course emotions always run high in this matchup and, as the saying goes, throw the records out the window when they meet.
Oct. 16: at Crown Point - City's 7-3 win over Crown Point to end the 2008 regular season was a great win, even if the Bulldogs weren't quite to their form from the previous three seasons. Crown Point is always a difficult place to play and this remains a difficult way to end the season.
So what's my prediction? I could see anywhere from two to seven wins. I know, that's a big range.
But Weeks 2 through 5 are brutal, and it's quite conceivable City could leave that stretch 1-4. If they're 3-2 after that stretch, I think six wins is a really good possibility.
But that's life in the DAC. Every game is tough and you can take nothing for granted.
If you do, you get burned. Here's to hoping the Wolves aren't left reaching painfully for the aloe vera.
For more info on the Wolves and all the area squads, check out our football preview in Thursday's edition of The News-Dispatch.
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Aug 21 2009, 01:13 PM
The regular season opener is tonight against Gary Roosevelt! God even managed to send us a little football weather for it! Enjoy, and if you are out and about stop by the press box and say hey!
Posted by: JHeath Aug 21 2009, 08:33 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Aug 21 2009, 02:13 PM)
The regular season opener is tonight against Gary Roosevelt! God even managed to send us a little football weather for it! Enjoy, and if you are out and about stop by the press box and say hey!
Didn't head out to the game tonight, but great job on the call! (I was only able to listen for a short time, but you and Adam sounded fantastic.)
Posted by: southsider2k9 Aug 21 2009, 10:05 PM
Thanks, it was a ton of fun. For those who did not hear, the Wolves kicked much butt, winning by a school record, 63-0, even with a running clock for the entire second half.
Posted by: kapkomet Aug 21 2009, 11:07 PM
Great start. Now let's hope they don't celebrate that one too much and go out and carry the momentum!
Posted by: Ang Aug 22 2009, 12:05 PM
Was planning to go to the game, but I got invited to a Sox game instead. It was Elvis Night. We had a lot of fun. The weather held out for the entire game and post-game show (an Elvis tribute concert and fireworks). It really started raining hard during the fireworks finale, though. Sox lost to the Orioles, and the 8th inning was the killer, but I just LOVE going to a White Sox game, whether they win or lose, it's always a good time.
And congrats to the Wolves for a massive victory!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Aug 22 2009, 08:35 PM
You are excused for going to a Sox game!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Aug 23 2009, 10:27 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=25358&TM=40479.2
QUOTE
City Football: Blowout Win No Big Deal, Really
Home Cookin'
Adam Parkhouse
Sports Editor, The News-Dispatch
Michigan City's football team opened the 2009 season with a bang, beating Gary Roosevelt 63-0 at Ames Field.
Pardon me for saying so, but so what?
The Wolves set consolidated school records for most points in a game and biggest margin of victory.
Who cares?
City also improved to 15-0 in season-opening games.
Eh ... not a big deal, really.
Now before you get all page-turny on me and call me names, know that I'm not the only one who holds this opinion about Friday's win.
Purdue-bound lineman Ryan Isaac said the level of domination achieved Friday was expected. According to him, Friday's game was simply "business."
City coach Craig Buzea was more happy that six different City players scored touchdowns and that everybody got a chance to play.
There's a reason why beating Roosevelt is really nothing to write home about, and it's supported by fact.
Sure, City is 15-0 all-time in season openers against Roosevelt, Elkhart Central and Chicago Leo (Ill.). But only three times has City ended its postseason with a winning record.
In fact, for me at least, the best part about Friday's win was that it's probably the last time City will ever play Roosevelt. The athletic department is efforting a new Week 1 opponent for next season and beyond, and good riddance, I say.
I don't mean to sound harsh, but as I've argued in the past, there's nothing to be gained from this game. Your star running back had just five carries and your first-year quarterback threw only five passes. And I applaud Buzea for getting those guys out of the game and spreading the wealth. But heck, the defense couldn't even run the way you'd like it to because the Wolves tend to blitz the Panthers less due to their line not being good enough to block that many people effectively. In short, you call off the dogs so someone doesn't get hurt.
The idea of playing Roosevelt in Week 1 has passed its time. When City was always expected to be bad, it was nice to get that win right away so the threat of a winless season didn't hang over you the rest of the year. In six of City's 14-plus seasons, the Wolves only won one other game. In another, Roosevelt was its only win.
But Buzea is trying to usher in a new era. An era where not only his player, but teachers, adminstrators and fans can all aim higher and expect victories against schools that field competitive teams.
It's a vision to help build the program to respectability, which frankly hasn't existed here for some time on the gridiron.
To get there, the idea of needing a team like Roosevelt on the schedule to guarantee at least one win needs to be vanquished. Just erase it from your mind.
Sure, 63-0 looks nice in the paper and it's a nice score to say to others. But, to me, there's much more to be gained from playing a competitive opponent to start the season.
The real season starts next week. South Bend Washington will bring a tough team to Ames and then play in the Duneland Conference gets underway in Week 3.
That's when the men get separated from the boys.
Good luck in Week 2, Wolves.
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Home Cookin'
Adam Parkhouse
Sports Editor, The News-Dispatch
Michigan City's football team opened the 2009 season with a bang, beating Gary Roosevelt 63-0 at Ames Field.
Pardon me for saying so, but so what?
The Wolves set consolidated school records for most points in a game and biggest margin of victory.
Who cares?
City also improved to 15-0 in season-opening games.
Eh ... not a big deal, really.
Now before you get all page-turny on me and call me names, know that I'm not the only one who holds this opinion about Friday's win.
Purdue-bound lineman Ryan Isaac said the level of domination achieved Friday was expected. According to him, Friday's game was simply "business."
City coach Craig Buzea was more happy that six different City players scored touchdowns and that everybody got a chance to play.
There's a reason why beating Roosevelt is really nothing to write home about, and it's supported by fact.
Sure, City is 15-0 all-time in season openers against Roosevelt, Elkhart Central and Chicago Leo (Ill.). But only three times has City ended its postseason with a winning record.
In fact, for me at least, the best part about Friday's win was that it's probably the last time City will ever play Roosevelt. The athletic department is efforting a new Week 1 opponent for next season and beyond, and good riddance, I say.
I don't mean to sound harsh, but as I've argued in the past, there's nothing to be gained from this game. Your star running back had just five carries and your first-year quarterback threw only five passes. And I applaud Buzea for getting those guys out of the game and spreading the wealth. But heck, the defense couldn't even run the way you'd like it to because the Wolves tend to blitz the Panthers less due to their line not being good enough to block that many people effectively. In short, you call off the dogs so someone doesn't get hurt.
The idea of playing Roosevelt in Week 1 has passed its time. When City was always expected to be bad, it was nice to get that win right away so the threat of a winless season didn't hang over you the rest of the year. In six of City's 14-plus seasons, the Wolves only won one other game. In another, Roosevelt was its only win.
But Buzea is trying to usher in a new era. An era where not only his player, but teachers, adminstrators and fans can all aim higher and expect victories against schools that field competitive teams.
It's a vision to help build the program to respectability, which frankly hasn't existed here for some time on the gridiron.
To get there, the idea of needing a team like Roosevelt on the schedule to guarantee at least one win needs to be vanquished. Just erase it from your mind.
Sure, 63-0 looks nice in the paper and it's a nice score to say to others. But, to me, there's much more to be gained from playing a competitive opponent to start the season.
The real season starts next week. South Bend Washington will bring a tough team to Ames and then play in the Duneland Conference gets underway in Week 3.
That's when the men get separated from the boys.
Good luck in Week 2, Wolves.
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Aug 23 2009, 10:32 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=25331
QUOTE
NO DOUBT ABOUT IT
Adam Parkhouse
Sports Editor, The News-Dispatch
MICHIGAN CITY - Ryan Isaac scooped up a fumble and saw nothing but brand new artificial turf between him and the end zone.
The 6-foot-5, 260-pound senior, moving nimbly for a man his size, streaked down the field and appeared headed for paydirt.
That was until he tripped over the 30-yard line, landing on the 27.
"I've never seen anything like it," Michigan City coach Craig Buzea quipped. "It looked like there was a sniper in the stands."
Isaac, good-natured about the mishap, added, "I was thinking six, but it didn't work out."
The Purdue-bound big man going down a few yards early was about the only thing that went wrong for City on opening night as the Wolves thoroughly dominated Gary Roosevelt's Panthers in a 63-0 shellacking at Ames Field.
"Execution-wise, we didn't put the ball on the ground and we didn't have any silly penalties," Buzea said.
The Wolves set records for most points scored in a game and biggest margin of victory since the consolidation. City also extended its streak of opening night wins to 15 straight games, going a perfect 15-for-15 since the consolidation. It was also the program's first shutout since a 34-0 pasting of Lake Central on Sept. 24, 2004.
"I don't take much out of that," Buzea said of the margin of victory. "But I'm happy that we got everyone in the game."
Six different Wolves found the end zone on the renovated Ames Field surface, led by senior running back Adam Harmon, who carried just five times for 76 yards but scored three touchdowns.
City (1-0) held Roosevelt (0-1) to a three-and-out on its opening possession and didn't take long to score. In fact, just two Harmon carries were necessary for City to take a 7-0 lead.
The Wolves then scored two touchdowns just 34 seconds apart. Junior quarterback Rodney Washington made the first pass of his career a good one: a 26-yard touchdown strike to Tracy Rivera. Just 34 seconds later, Harmon also scored from 26 yards to make the score 21-0 with 5:21 left in the first quarter.
City would tack on one more touchdown in the quarter, an 11-yard run from Jeremy Harris.
Early in the second quarter, Harmon scored again from 4 yards out with 10:04 left to play. That would prove to be his final carry of the night. On the extra point, the snap was bad, but Rivera, the holder, ran into the end zone for the two-point conversion, proving City could do no wrong on this night.
The Wolves added another score before halftime on an 80-yard strike from Washington to Rivera. The diminutive receiver broke a tackle and evaded another on his way to the end zone.
In his first game taking over for graduated QB Nathan Scully, Washington completed 4-of-5 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns.
"I thought he made good reads and teams will realize they need to respect his arm," Buzea said.
City should have had another score before the half after Cody Miranda scooped up a fumble and appeared to score, but officials blew the Roosevelt runner down.
City led 43-0 at the half, and the teams went to a running clock in the second half, just like in last year's 60-8 City win.
The Wolves' opening drive of the second half took up nearly the entire quarter with the clock running continually, and Kevin Kreighbaum caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Joel Hirsch.
In the fourth quarter, City added a pair of touchdowns, a 10-yard run from Rashem Bell and an 11-yard run from Anthony Catchings, both sophomores.
Buzea said, as always, the celebration will be short. The schedule only gets tougher from here with a much-improved South Bend Washington team invading Ames next week before play in the Duneland Conference gets underway in Week 3.
"We allow these guys to celebrate for 24 hours," Buzea said. "Then it's back to earth."
While happy with the win, Isaac knows what's on the road ahead.
"We work so hard in practice, this was expected," Isaac said. "It's just business."
Adam Parkhouse
Sports Editor, The News-Dispatch
MICHIGAN CITY - Ryan Isaac scooped up a fumble and saw nothing but brand new artificial turf between him and the end zone.
The 6-foot-5, 260-pound senior, moving nimbly for a man his size, streaked down the field and appeared headed for paydirt.
That was until he tripped over the 30-yard line, landing on the 27.
"I've never seen anything like it," Michigan City coach Craig Buzea quipped. "It looked like there was a sniper in the stands."
Isaac, good-natured about the mishap, added, "I was thinking six, but it didn't work out."
The Purdue-bound big man going down a few yards early was about the only thing that went wrong for City on opening night as the Wolves thoroughly dominated Gary Roosevelt's Panthers in a 63-0 shellacking at Ames Field.
"Execution-wise, we didn't put the ball on the ground and we didn't have any silly penalties," Buzea said.
The Wolves set records for most points scored in a game and biggest margin of victory since the consolidation. City also extended its streak of opening night wins to 15 straight games, going a perfect 15-for-15 since the consolidation. It was also the program's first shutout since a 34-0 pasting of Lake Central on Sept. 24, 2004.
"I don't take much out of that," Buzea said of the margin of victory. "But I'm happy that we got everyone in the game."
Six different Wolves found the end zone on the renovated Ames Field surface, led by senior running back Adam Harmon, who carried just five times for 76 yards but scored three touchdowns.
City (1-0) held Roosevelt (0-1) to a three-and-out on its opening possession and didn't take long to score. In fact, just two Harmon carries were necessary for City to take a 7-0 lead.
The Wolves then scored two touchdowns just 34 seconds apart. Junior quarterback Rodney Washington made the first pass of his career a good one: a 26-yard touchdown strike to Tracy Rivera. Just 34 seconds later, Harmon also scored from 26 yards to make the score 21-0 with 5:21 left in the first quarter.
City would tack on one more touchdown in the quarter, an 11-yard run from Jeremy Harris.
Early in the second quarter, Harmon scored again from 4 yards out with 10:04 left to play. That would prove to be his final carry of the night. On the extra point, the snap was bad, but Rivera, the holder, ran into the end zone for the two-point conversion, proving City could do no wrong on this night.
The Wolves added another score before halftime on an 80-yard strike from Washington to Rivera. The diminutive receiver broke a tackle and evaded another on his way to the end zone.
In his first game taking over for graduated QB Nathan Scully, Washington completed 4-of-5 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns.
"I thought he made good reads and teams will realize they need to respect his arm," Buzea said.
City should have had another score before the half after Cody Miranda scooped up a fumble and appeared to score, but officials blew the Roosevelt runner down.
City led 43-0 at the half, and the teams went to a running clock in the second half, just like in last year's 60-8 City win.
The Wolves' opening drive of the second half took up nearly the entire quarter with the clock running continually, and Kevin Kreighbaum caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Joel Hirsch.
In the fourth quarter, City added a pair of touchdowns, a 10-yard run from Rashem Bell and an 11-yard run from Anthony Catchings, both sophomores.
Buzea said, as always, the celebration will be short. The schedule only gets tougher from here with a much-improved South Bend Washington team invading Ames next week before play in the Duneland Conference gets underway in Week 3.
"We allow these guys to celebrate for 24 hours," Buzea said. "Then it's back to earth."
While happy with the win, Isaac knows what's on the road ahead.
"We work so hard in practice, this was expected," Isaac said. "It's just business."
Posted by: southsider2k9 Aug 28 2009, 01:06 PM
A reminder, City hosts #14 ranked SB Washington at Ames Field tonight... if you can't make it, or you would like to hear our discription as you watch, tune in to 1420 Am WIMS or stream live at WIMSradio.com to hear myself and Adam Parkhouse bring home the action.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Aug 28 2009, 01:54 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=25453
QUOTE
TIME TO GET SERIOUS
High School Football: Week 2 Preview
Adam Parkhouse and Nick Dettmann
Staff Writers
For Michigan City, the 2009 season gets real tonight when South Bend Washington invades Ames Field for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
"They can play with any team in the state," City coach Craig Buzea said. "They're so skilled ... I can't remember a more skilled team that I've coached against in 25 years."
Washington beat City 21-20 during Week 2 last season, a game in which City was without a large portion of key personnel due to disciplinary reasons.
Coming into this season, the Panthers are a much-imporved bunch from last year, but the team got some bad luck this week regarding South Bend Adams transfer student Eric Woods. The IHSAA ruled that Woods' transfer was improper, and deemed him ineligible for varsity competition this season.
As for the players that will be playing, the Panthers have also created quite a stir with an innovative offensive formation that includes two quarterbacks: Pat Borlik (right-handed) and Adams transfer Nolan Dieter (left-handed).
"I've never in my life seen anything like that," Buzea said. "We're just treating one of the backs as a running back, but it does give them a lot of different things they can do."
During a Week 1 romp of South Bend Clay (44-12), Borlik and Dieter were on the field together for every play. During that game, Nolan's younger brother Gehrig, also an Adams transfer, caught nine passes for 159 yards while Nolan rushed for two more TDs.
"(The Panthers) put you out there on islands and you have to make plays on their kids. It's really a big concern and would be for anyone trying to defend them," Buzea said. "One of the things they exposed (last year) was our lack of tackling."
Of course, City is coming off the biggest win in school history in terms of points scored and margin of victory, a 63-0 whooping of Gary Roosevelt in Week 1.
In that game, senior running back Adam Harmon had just five carries and junior quarterback Rodney Washington threw only five passes as City coaches emptied the bench with six different Wolves scoring touchdowns in the game. Expect both players' workloads to increase dramatically.
Washington, in his first major test as City's QB, will have to put up with an aggressive, blitzing defense. Buzea said his signal caller is up for the challenge.
"It's all about staying within himself and keeping himself on an even keel," Buzea said. "I call it a flatliner ... just make the right decisions."
City is a perfect 15-0 in opening week games, but since the consolidation the Wolves are 9-5 in Week 2 games. They're 1-13 in Week 3 games.
High School Football: Week 2 Preview
Adam Parkhouse and Nick Dettmann
Staff Writers
For Michigan City, the 2009 season gets real tonight when South Bend Washington invades Ames Field for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
"They can play with any team in the state," City coach Craig Buzea said. "They're so skilled ... I can't remember a more skilled team that I've coached against in 25 years."
Washington beat City 21-20 during Week 2 last season, a game in which City was without a large portion of key personnel due to disciplinary reasons.
Coming into this season, the Panthers are a much-imporved bunch from last year, but the team got some bad luck this week regarding South Bend Adams transfer student Eric Woods. The IHSAA ruled that Woods' transfer was improper, and deemed him ineligible for varsity competition this season.
As for the players that will be playing, the Panthers have also created quite a stir with an innovative offensive formation that includes two quarterbacks: Pat Borlik (right-handed) and Adams transfer Nolan Dieter (left-handed).
"I've never in my life seen anything like that," Buzea said. "We're just treating one of the backs as a running back, but it does give them a lot of different things they can do."
During a Week 1 romp of South Bend Clay (44-12), Borlik and Dieter were on the field together for every play. During that game, Nolan's younger brother Gehrig, also an Adams transfer, caught nine passes for 159 yards while Nolan rushed for two more TDs.
"(The Panthers) put you out there on islands and you have to make plays on their kids. It's really a big concern and would be for anyone trying to defend them," Buzea said. "One of the things they exposed (last year) was our lack of tackling."
Of course, City is coming off the biggest win in school history in terms of points scored and margin of victory, a 63-0 whooping of Gary Roosevelt in Week 1.
In that game, senior running back Adam Harmon had just five carries and junior quarterback Rodney Washington threw only five passes as City coaches emptied the bench with six different Wolves scoring touchdowns in the game. Expect both players' workloads to increase dramatically.
Washington, in his first major test as City's QB, will have to put up with an aggressive, blitzing defense. Buzea said his signal caller is up for the challenge.
"It's all about staying within himself and keeping himself on an even keel," Buzea said. "I call it a flatliner ... just make the right decisions."
City is a perfect 15-0 in opening week games, but since the consolidation the Wolves are 9-5 in Week 2 games. They're 1-13 in Week 3 games.
Posted by: taxthedeer Aug 28 2009, 03:19 PM
From the WNDU web site:
Last Friday, NewsCenter 16 reported that Eric Woods was ineligible for Washington’s first game against Clay for an improper transfer from Adams.
Today, a harsh penalty came down on Woods from the IHSAA.
South Bend School Corporation attorney Ed Sullivan confirmed to NewsCenter 16 that Woods, a senior, is not eligible to play varsity football for Washington at all this season.
Sullivan says in a statement that the IHSAA informed Washington High School of the decision today:
“Washington High School was informed today that the IHSAA changed Eric Woods’ eligibility status to ‘limited eligibility.’ According to the IHSAA, ‘limited eligibility’ does not include varsity football at Washington High School.”
His eligibility will allow Woods to play JV.
Woods, a running back and defensive standout, started at Adams each of the last two seasons. He transferred to Washington over the summer.
IHSAA commissioner Blake Ress says that the transfer was improperly handled. Hear more from Ress tonight on NewsCenter 16 at 11.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Aug 28 2009, 09:49 PM
Tonight was one of the top five games I have ever had the honor of being behind the mic to call. City won 13-10 over SB Washington with a last second field goal to take it. It was a great game from the first snap to the last one, complete with all k...inds of action. I can't wait to listen back to it.
Posted by: taxthedeer Aug 28 2009, 11:33 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Aug 28 2009, 10:49 PM)
Tonight was one of the top five games I have ever had the honor of being behind the mic to call. City won 13-10 over SB Washington with a last second field goal to take it. It was a great game from the first snap to the last one, complete with all k...inds of action. I can't wait to listen back to it.
You and Parkhouse make for a good broadcast team.
There were a couple of things I've never seen before tonight, 1. A double quarter back set. 2. A player being taken off the field with a police escort.
I thought the game was kind of sloppy in terms of number of penalties and 2nd half turnovers. Basically Michigan City made fewer mistakes so they were the winners. Like Adam had mentioned this was really the first competitive game played by the Wolves this season and it showed.
If I could make one request for next Friday night is for the love of pete, please turn the PA system down a little bit, I still have the sound of Kent Lange's voice ringing in my eardrums. They were probably able to hear him up in Benton Harbor.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Aug 31 2009, 11:17 AM
I can't wait to hear the replay from WIMS on this game.
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=25527&TM=39936.18
QUOTE
A Game Worth Winning
Home Cookin'
Adam Parkhouse
Sports Editor, The News-Dispatch
Now THAT'S a win.
If you're one of the Michigan City football fans who saw both the win against Gary Roosevelt and the win against South Bend Washington, now you know what I was talking about last week.
The fact that both wins hold the same value in the win column almost doesn't seem fair.
As an opponent, Washington was bigger, stronger and faster. They had legitimate play in the trenches, a few ingenious offensive formations and talent and skill coming out of the wazoo.
Not to belabor the point, but I'd take a three-point, last-second win over THAT team any time over a 63-point romp over Roosevelt.
And you know what? The mood in the locker room matched the importance of the win. Those guys were genuinely excited, thrilled even, to have pulled that game out.
They should be. It wasn't particularly pretty. At times, City looked very much like a team playing its first competitive game of the season.
On the other side, Washington didn't always look like the 14th-best team in Class 4A. They racked up 118 yards in penalties and both teams contributed to an incredible run of four turnovers in a 69-second span.
But know this: Good teams find a way to win games like that.
Coach Craig Buzea said it best: "This is one of those games that last year we wouldn't have won."
In sports, there's a philosophy that talks about the progression of programs. It's said that a team going from "Point A" to Point B" is bad team becoming good enough to win every now and again, but ultimately losing to teams they're supposed to lose to.
The hard part is going from "Point B" to "Point C". Often, that can take years. Taking that step means you're rarely the underdog in any game. It means you're the team no other team looks forward to playing.
And finally, it means you win games like this one Friday night at Ames Field.
q
Here are some other notes from early in the football season.
• For the first time since 2002, the Class 5A programs in the N-D coverage area - Michigan City, La Porte and Chesterton - are each 2-0 to start the season. In 2002, City finished 2-8, La Porte wound up 6-4 and Chesterton ended at 6-4 as well. All three teams were dumped in the first round of the sectional. City meets Chesterton to open play in the Duneland Conference next Friday at Ames.
• This is the 10th time in 15 years City has started the season 2-0. However, only once before - in 2005 - did City start 3-0. That's when the Ryan Fics-led Wolves topped Chesterton 49-35 at Ames Field. Fics, you might remember, had a historic performance, rushing 34 times for 368 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught five passes for 73 yards.
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Home Cookin'
Adam Parkhouse
Sports Editor, The News-Dispatch
Now THAT'S a win.
If you're one of the Michigan City football fans who saw both the win against Gary Roosevelt and the win against South Bend Washington, now you know what I was talking about last week.
The fact that both wins hold the same value in the win column almost doesn't seem fair.
As an opponent, Washington was bigger, stronger and faster. They had legitimate play in the trenches, a few ingenious offensive formations and talent and skill coming out of the wazoo.
Not to belabor the point, but I'd take a three-point, last-second win over THAT team any time over a 63-point romp over Roosevelt.
And you know what? The mood in the locker room matched the importance of the win. Those guys were genuinely excited, thrilled even, to have pulled that game out.
They should be. It wasn't particularly pretty. At times, City looked very much like a team playing its first competitive game of the season.
On the other side, Washington didn't always look like the 14th-best team in Class 4A. They racked up 118 yards in penalties and both teams contributed to an incredible run of four turnovers in a 69-second span.
But know this: Good teams find a way to win games like that.
Coach Craig Buzea said it best: "This is one of those games that last year we wouldn't have won."
In sports, there's a philosophy that talks about the progression of programs. It's said that a team going from "Point A" to Point B" is bad team becoming good enough to win every now and again, but ultimately losing to teams they're supposed to lose to.
The hard part is going from "Point B" to "Point C". Often, that can take years. Taking that step means you're rarely the underdog in any game. It means you're the team no other team looks forward to playing.
And finally, it means you win games like this one Friday night at Ames Field.
q
Here are some other notes from early in the football season.
• For the first time since 2002, the Class 5A programs in the N-D coverage area - Michigan City, La Porte and Chesterton - are each 2-0 to start the season. In 2002, City finished 2-8, La Porte wound up 6-4 and Chesterton ended at 6-4 as well. All three teams were dumped in the first round of the sectional. City meets Chesterton to open play in the Duneland Conference next Friday at Ames.
• This is the 10th time in 15 years City has started the season 2-0. However, only once before - in 2005 - did City start 3-0. That's when the Ryan Fics-led Wolves topped Chesterton 49-35 at Ames Field. Fics, you might remember, had a historic performance, rushing 34 times for 368 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught five passes for 73 yards.
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Aug 31 2009, 11:18 AM
QUOTE(taxthedeer @ Aug 29 2009, 12:33 AM)
You and Parkhouse make for a good broadcast team.
There were a couple of things I've never seen before tonight, 1. A double quarter back set. 2. A player being taken off the field with a police escort.
I thought the game was kind of sloppy in terms of number of penalties and 2nd half turnovers. Basically Michigan City made fewer mistakes so they were the winners. Like Adam had mentioned this was really the first competitive game played by the Wolves this season and it showed.
If I could make one request for next Friday night is for the love of pete, please turn the PA system down a little bit, I still have the sound of Kent Lange's voice ringing in my eardrums. They were probably able to hear him up in Benton Harbor.
Thanks for the complement. I actually broadcast for a few years while I was in college, and did the training of new annoucners for a few years, and I have to say, there is only one other person I had as good of chemistry with in the booth. Adam is great at what he does, which really helps.
Posted by: taxthedeer Aug 31 2009, 02:19 PM
The Wolves made this week's coaches poll!!!
INDIANA FOOTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION - CLASS 5A POLL 08/31/2009
RANK PREV RANK SCHOOL POINTS
1 1 Center Grove 100 (10)
2 4 Penn 90
3 7 Carmel 59
4 2 Ben Davis 57
5 3 Warren Central 50
6 8 Columbus East 49
7 9 Chesterton 31
8 -- Fishers 20
9 5 FW Snider 14
10 -- Zionsville 13
Others Receiving Votes
Munster - 11, LaPorte - 8, Mishawaka - 7, Pike - 6, Merrillville - 6, Homestead - 5, Michigan City - 5, Columbus North - 4, Valparaiso - 4, Bloomington North - 4, Floyd Central - 2, Westfield - 2, Hamilton Southeastern - 2, Martinsville - 1
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 2 2009, 01:45 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=25593&TM=40371.95
QUOTE
City In Latest Coaches Poll
High School Football
Michigan City's football team received five votes in the latest Indiana Football Coaches Association poll, released Monday.
Center Grove is the top-ranked team, receiving all 10 first-place votes. Penn is second, followed by Carmel, Ben Davis and Warren Central to round out the top five.
Chesterton, who the Wolves play this Friday at Ames Field, is ranked seventh in the poll, moving up from ninth after its 28-0 victory over New Prairie.
La Porte is just on the outside looking in, receiving eight votes. In all, five Duneland Conference teams received votes in the poll (Merrillville-six, Valparaiso-four).
The Wolves (2-0) host the Trojans (2-0) at 7 p.m. Friday, and La Porte (2-0) will host Valparaiso.
High School Football
Michigan City's football team received five votes in the latest Indiana Football Coaches Association poll, released Monday.
Center Grove is the top-ranked team, receiving all 10 first-place votes. Penn is second, followed by Carmel, Ben Davis and Warren Central to round out the top five.
Chesterton, who the Wolves play this Friday at Ames Field, is ranked seventh in the poll, moving up from ninth after its 28-0 victory over New Prairie.
La Porte is just on the outside looking in, receiving eight votes. In all, five Duneland Conference teams received votes in the poll (Merrillville-six, Valparaiso-four).
The Wolves (2-0) host the Trojans (2-0) at 7 p.m. Friday, and La Porte (2-0) will host Valparaiso.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 4 2009, 07:31 AM
http://www.post-trib.com/sports/1752325,tofb-gotw-0904.article
QUOTE
Wolves set to face real test
In third year, Buzea hopes MC can contend with Trojans, top DAC foes
Comments
September 4, 2009
By David Robb, Post-Tribune staff writer
Publicly, he minced words. But privately, Craig Buzea set a few goals when he took over Michigan City's downtrodden football program in 2007.
Year One, he just wanted to be competitive. The Wolves were. Despite a 2-8 record, they were in most games.
Year Two, he just wanted to be around .500. The Wolves finished 4-6, losing two games by three points or fewer and one game in overtime.
Year Three ...
"I was hoping our third year we could compete for a conference title," Buzea said.
After tonight, the Wolves will have a good idea of how they stack up in the DAC. They host Chesterton in their conference opener. The Trojans were co-DAC champs last year and are among the favorites again this season.
That's what makes tonight's matchup of two 2-0 teams even more intriguing. In many ways, it's not just an early test for the Wolves (and the Trojans, for that matter). It's a barometer of where the program is in Buzea's third year at the helm.
So far, the rebuilding has gone according to plan. Now, are the Wolves ready to take that next step? Are they ready, finally, to do more than compete? Are they ready to win?
"We feel like we're making progress," Buzea said. "I don't think there's any question about that. Whether we can hang with the big guys now remains to be seen. We're anxious to see exactly where we're at."
Chesterton coach John Snyder can vouch for that progress.
"This is the best Michigan City team I've seen," Snyder said. "They are loaded with talent. They're big, athletic and playing with a lot of confidence. City's staff has done a great job of not only teaching them the X's and O's, but also changing the mindset of what it takes to win."
With first-year starter Rodney Washington under center, MC has opened up its offense. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound junior has already connected with six different receivers for 338 yards. Multidimensional senior tailback Adam Harmon has been his top target, catching seven passes for 126 yards and a touchdown in last week's 13-10 victory over South Bend Washington.
"Their offense is difficult to defend because of how they spread you out," Snyder said. "(Washington) is going to be outstanding. He can run and throw, and that puts a lot of pressure on a defense."
Snyder has also been impressed with his junior quarterback, Jon Watson.
"I've been very pleased with his leadership on the field," he said.
With the graduation of quarterback Aaron Knight, who spearheaded the Trojans' option attack last season, Chesterton has had to distribute the wealth on offense. And that, Buzea believes, makes Chesterton more difficult to defend.
"Last year, everybody knew Knight was going to get the ball," Buzea said. "It was just a matter of stopping him. This year, they can go with the fullback, wingback and they can throw the ball. I'm very impressed with (Watson)."
Buzea also heaped praise on the Trojans' defense, which is led by Dan McCoy, his former coordinator at Portage. That defense has yet to allow a point. Of course, the Trojans have yet to face an offense as dynamic as Michigan City's.
Contact David Robb at 648-3122, drobb@post-trib.com or visit his blog at blogs.post-trib.com/robb.
In third year, Buzea hopes MC can contend with Trojans, top DAC foes
Comments
September 4, 2009
By David Robb, Post-Tribune staff writer
Publicly, he minced words. But privately, Craig Buzea set a few goals when he took over Michigan City's downtrodden football program in 2007.
Year One, he just wanted to be competitive. The Wolves were. Despite a 2-8 record, they were in most games.
Year Two, he just wanted to be around .500. The Wolves finished 4-6, losing two games by three points or fewer and one game in overtime.
Year Three ...
"I was hoping our third year we could compete for a conference title," Buzea said.
After tonight, the Wolves will have a good idea of how they stack up in the DAC. They host Chesterton in their conference opener. The Trojans were co-DAC champs last year and are among the favorites again this season.
That's what makes tonight's matchup of two 2-0 teams even more intriguing. In many ways, it's not just an early test for the Wolves (and the Trojans, for that matter). It's a barometer of where the program is in Buzea's third year at the helm.
So far, the rebuilding has gone according to plan. Now, are the Wolves ready to take that next step? Are they ready, finally, to do more than compete? Are they ready to win?
"We feel like we're making progress," Buzea said. "I don't think there's any question about that. Whether we can hang with the big guys now remains to be seen. We're anxious to see exactly where we're at."
Chesterton coach John Snyder can vouch for that progress.
"This is the best Michigan City team I've seen," Snyder said. "They are loaded with talent. They're big, athletic and playing with a lot of confidence. City's staff has done a great job of not only teaching them the X's and O's, but also changing the mindset of what it takes to win."
With first-year starter Rodney Washington under center, MC has opened up its offense. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound junior has already connected with six different receivers for 338 yards. Multidimensional senior tailback Adam Harmon has been his top target, catching seven passes for 126 yards and a touchdown in last week's 13-10 victory over South Bend Washington.
"Their offense is difficult to defend because of how they spread you out," Snyder said. "(Washington) is going to be outstanding. He can run and throw, and that puts a lot of pressure on a defense."
Snyder has also been impressed with his junior quarterback, Jon Watson.
"I've been very pleased with his leadership on the field," he said.
With the graduation of quarterback Aaron Knight, who spearheaded the Trojans' option attack last season, Chesterton has had to distribute the wealth on offense. And that, Buzea believes, makes Chesterton more difficult to defend.
"Last year, everybody knew Knight was going to get the ball," Buzea said. "It was just a matter of stopping him. This year, they can go with the fullback, wingback and they can throw the ball. I'm very impressed with (Watson)."
Buzea also heaped praise on the Trojans' defense, which is led by Dan McCoy, his former coordinator at Portage. That defense has yet to allow a point. Of course, the Trojans have yet to face an offense as dynamic as Michigan City's.
Contact David Robb at 648-3122, drobb@post-trib.com or visit his blog at blogs.post-trib.com/robb.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 4 2009, 12:44 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=25619
QUOTE
WHO CLAIMS EARLY SUPREMACY?
Football: Week 3 Preview
Adam Parkhouse and Nick Dettmann
Staff Writers
If Week 2 was a good measuring stick for Michigan City, then Week 3 is when the men started getting weeded out from the boys.
Play in the Duneland Conference opens up tonight at Ames Field when Class 5A No. 7 Chesterton invades Ames Field to take on City, who received votes in this week's coaches poll.
"That's what this week stands for. We'll see where we're at and where we have to go to get with programs that have been established for years like Chesterton," City coach Craig Buzea said. "They're the top dog and when we get done with this game we'll have an idea where we're at."
Chesterton uses an option-intensive offense, quite a departure from Week 2 against South Bend Washington and the Panthers' spread offense.
But City's defense has been on a good run so far this season and even going into the second half of last season.
"I think they played exceptional last week," Buzea said. "But it's a whole different ball game with what these guys are doing.
"I think they can keep us in most games, and that's all we hope for."
On the flip side, Chesterton's defense is a strong unit, too. Playing predominantly a 4-3 Cover 2, the Trojans pride themselves on keeping the ball in front of them and not getting beat over the top.
In fact, Chesterton's defensive coordinator, Dan McCoy, was Buzea's defensive coordinator for five years at Portage.
"They make you play left-handed, meaning they take away what you do best," Buzea said. "It's not their style to line up and come at you like Washington, but these Chesterton guys are a lot more disciplined."
Another potential big factor is special teams. Last week, City kicker Dustin Rivich booted the game-winner for City in the closing seconds, and Chesterton's kicker, Kyle Schmidt, is one of the best kickers anywhere, consistently booting the ball into - or through - the end zone for touchbacks.
"It's not only the kicking game but we have to play exceptionally well as far as special teams go," Buzea said. "Chesterton has probably the best special teams in the conference. They spend a lot of time on it, block a lot of kicks and return a lot of kicks."
Chesterton coach John Snyder voiced a similar opinion, saying it may come down to the kicking game.
"Obviously we're excited to start the Duneland," he added. "This is the biggest test of our season so far. I kind of felt Michigan City coming in was the team to beat with all the returning starters and talent they have. I see them playing with more confidence than ever before.
"... It's going to be a tough challenge for us."
Pardon the expression, but there seems to be plenty of buzz in the community about this game. Two teams getting votes in the latest polls have more attention on this game than there might have been in the past.
"I think the community is definitely starting to get behind us," Buzea said. "Hopefully it is a testament to what we're trying to do."
Adam's pick: City, 21-17
Nick's pick: Chesterton, 28-20
Football: Week 3 Preview
Adam Parkhouse and Nick Dettmann
Staff Writers
If Week 2 was a good measuring stick for Michigan City, then Week 3 is when the men started getting weeded out from the boys.
Play in the Duneland Conference opens up tonight at Ames Field when Class 5A No. 7 Chesterton invades Ames Field to take on City, who received votes in this week's coaches poll.
"That's what this week stands for. We'll see where we're at and where we have to go to get with programs that have been established for years like Chesterton," City coach Craig Buzea said. "They're the top dog and when we get done with this game we'll have an idea where we're at."
Chesterton uses an option-intensive offense, quite a departure from Week 2 against South Bend Washington and the Panthers' spread offense.
But City's defense has been on a good run so far this season and even going into the second half of last season.
"I think they played exceptional last week," Buzea said. "But it's a whole different ball game with what these guys are doing.
"I think they can keep us in most games, and that's all we hope for."
On the flip side, Chesterton's defense is a strong unit, too. Playing predominantly a 4-3 Cover 2, the Trojans pride themselves on keeping the ball in front of them and not getting beat over the top.
In fact, Chesterton's defensive coordinator, Dan McCoy, was Buzea's defensive coordinator for five years at Portage.
"They make you play left-handed, meaning they take away what you do best," Buzea said. "It's not their style to line up and come at you like Washington, but these Chesterton guys are a lot more disciplined."
Another potential big factor is special teams. Last week, City kicker Dustin Rivich booted the game-winner for City in the closing seconds, and Chesterton's kicker, Kyle Schmidt, is one of the best kickers anywhere, consistently booting the ball into - or through - the end zone for touchbacks.
"It's not only the kicking game but we have to play exceptionally well as far as special teams go," Buzea said. "Chesterton has probably the best special teams in the conference. They spend a lot of time on it, block a lot of kicks and return a lot of kicks."
Chesterton coach John Snyder voiced a similar opinion, saying it may come down to the kicking game.
"Obviously we're excited to start the Duneland," he added. "This is the biggest test of our season so far. I kind of felt Michigan City coming in was the team to beat with all the returning starters and talent they have. I see them playing with more confidence than ever before.
"... It's going to be a tough challenge for us."
Pardon the expression, but there seems to be plenty of buzz in the community about this game. Two teams getting votes in the latest polls have more attention on this game than there might have been in the past.
"I think the community is definitely starting to get behind us," Buzea said. "Hopefully it is a testament to what we're trying to do."
Adam's pick: City, 21-17
Nick's pick: Chesterton, 28-20
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 4 2009, 04:40 PM
Don't forget to listen live tonight at AM 1420 to Adam Parkhouse and I on the call from Ames... If you can't listen on your radio, hook up wimsradio.com for the live broadcast, or even a special simulcast on ALCO TV 97.
Posted by: CaddyRich Sep 4 2009, 08:26 PM
Three minutes left...all I can say is WOW! What a game. Way to go Wolves! One thing - Parky...you might not want to use the term "S.O.B." on the radio...Both you guys are great on WIMS.
Posted by: mcstumper Sep 4 2009, 08:47 PM
QUOTE(CaddyRich @ Sep 4 2009, 09:26 PM)
Three minutes left...all I can say is WOW! What a game. Way to go Wolves! One thing - Parky...you might not want to use the term "S.O.B." on the radio...Both you guys are great on WIMS.
31-21 Wolves! Great game. Great night for football. Great crowd.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 4 2009, 09:45 PM
QUOTE(CaddyRich @ Sep 4 2009, 09:26 PM)
Three minutes left...all I can say is WOW! What a game. Way to go Wolves! One thing - Parky...you might not want to use the term "S.O.B." on the radio...Both you guys are great on WIMS.
Why you son of a...
Yeah, that one was a lot of fun. What a response by the Wolves. I really believe winning that game last week gave the boys the testicular fortitude to win this one, even after being down 14 early. Great games by Harmon and Washington.
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 4 2009, 11:57 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Sep 4 2009, 10:45 PM)
Yeah, that one was a lot of fun. What a response by the Wolves. I really believe winning that game last week gave the boys the testicular fortitude to win this one, even after being down 14 early. Great games by Harmon and Washington.
Posted by: lovethiscity Sep 5 2009, 07:10 AM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Sep 4 2009, 10:45 PM)
Why you son of a...
Yeah, that one was a lot of fun. What a response by the Wolves. I really believe winning that game last week gave the boys the testicular fortitude to win this one, even after being down 14 early. Great games by Harmon and Washington.
Should you guys be giving kudos to the chearleaders? I meen that was quite a pumped up crowd. It was one of the most exciting games I have been to, High School - Pro and all in between.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 5 2009, 01:32 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=25672&TM=39682.46
QUOTE
Miscues Prove To Be More Costly To Chesterton
Michigan City 31, No. 7 Chesterton 21
Nick Dettmann
Staff Writer
MICHIGAN CITY - Plain and simple: If you turn the ball over more than your opponent, more often than not you're going to lose.
Case in point: Friday's Chesterton-Michigan City game.
Class 4A No. 7 Chesterton put the ball on the brand-spankin'-new turf at Ames Field not once, twice, three, not even four times.
Try eight. And the Trojans lost possession on four of those.
Three times when it happened was when the Trojans on the move, including once inside the 10-yard line late in the first half of a ball game tied at 14.
"At best, we should've came away with a field goal," said Trojans coach John Snyder after his team's 31-21 loss Friday. "It wasn't anything that was going (wrong) really. You just can't put the ball on the ground. That hurt us.
"... They didn't stop us. We stopped ourselves."
City (3-0, 1-0 Duneland) was also guilty of the turnover flu on a perfect late summer night for football. At the time, it hurt.
Chesterton's Dan Jensen fumbled on the Trojans' first possession, which gave City the ball in good field position - Chesterton's 31-yard line. But on the next play, Tracy Rivera coughed it up after a short completion. The Trojans' Frank Raudry recovered the ball and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown.
Then on City's next possession, Rodney Washington was picked off by Greg Nowak. Two plays later, the Trojans (2-1, 0-1) scored a touchdown to make it 14-0.
City was more protective of the ball after that, while Chesterton wasn't, and it hurt each time. Junior quarterback Jon Watson coughed it up six times himself. Cody Miranda, Tyree Wright, Blake Surface and Jeff Bibb were all beneficiaries of the Trojans' fumbles.
For the night, there were a combined seven turnovers. But it was Chesterton 4, City 3 - the only time City, or any coach for that matter, wants to be on the low end of that statistic.
Most of the time the fumbles came off early pitches on the option by Watson because of a quicker defense than what Chesterton had seen up to this point. City's pressure gave the Trojans fits all night.
"We have to think we were the cause of some of those," City coach Craig Buzea said. "... We play pretty quick. Our emphasis on defense is quickness. I think they had to make some (quick) decisions with the option.
"... Maybe we were closing a little faster than what they thought. I think that might had something to do with it. Not to downgrade anybody, but I don't think they played anybody like us."
Because of the turnovers, City controlled the possession by an almost 2:1 margin. By the end of the night, the Wolves were running basically at will against a defense that some believe is one of the best in the region, if not the best. And by game's end, the Trojans' defense had their hands on their hips gasping for air as City continued to pound the ball at them.
All because of the Wolves' defense resilience in swarming the Trojans' ball carriers and forcing turnovers.
"We've got to get better," Snyder said. "Offensively I was still pretty happy. But we were in position to put more (points) on the board. We just got to hang onto the ball.
"We were in position. We just can't turn the ball over. ... We just put the ball on the ground too many times."
Contact sports writer Nick Dettmann at ndettmann@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 447.
Michigan City 31, No. 7 Chesterton 21
Nick Dettmann
Staff Writer
MICHIGAN CITY - Plain and simple: If you turn the ball over more than your opponent, more often than not you're going to lose.
Case in point: Friday's Chesterton-Michigan City game.
Class 4A No. 7 Chesterton put the ball on the brand-spankin'-new turf at Ames Field not once, twice, three, not even four times.
Try eight. And the Trojans lost possession on four of those.
Three times when it happened was when the Trojans on the move, including once inside the 10-yard line late in the first half of a ball game tied at 14.
"At best, we should've came away with a field goal," said Trojans coach John Snyder after his team's 31-21 loss Friday. "It wasn't anything that was going (wrong) really. You just can't put the ball on the ground. That hurt us.
"... They didn't stop us. We stopped ourselves."
City (3-0, 1-0 Duneland) was also guilty of the turnover flu on a perfect late summer night for football. At the time, it hurt.
Chesterton's Dan Jensen fumbled on the Trojans' first possession, which gave City the ball in good field position - Chesterton's 31-yard line. But on the next play, Tracy Rivera coughed it up after a short completion. The Trojans' Frank Raudry recovered the ball and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown.
Then on City's next possession, Rodney Washington was picked off by Greg Nowak. Two plays later, the Trojans (2-1, 0-1) scored a touchdown to make it 14-0.
City was more protective of the ball after that, while Chesterton wasn't, and it hurt each time. Junior quarterback Jon Watson coughed it up six times himself. Cody Miranda, Tyree Wright, Blake Surface and Jeff Bibb were all beneficiaries of the Trojans' fumbles.
For the night, there were a combined seven turnovers. But it was Chesterton 4, City 3 - the only time City, or any coach for that matter, wants to be on the low end of that statistic.
Most of the time the fumbles came off early pitches on the option by Watson because of a quicker defense than what Chesterton had seen up to this point. City's pressure gave the Trojans fits all night.
"We have to think we were the cause of some of those," City coach Craig Buzea said. "... We play pretty quick. Our emphasis on defense is quickness. I think they had to make some (quick) decisions with the option.
"... Maybe we were closing a little faster than what they thought. I think that might had something to do with it. Not to downgrade anybody, but I don't think they played anybody like us."
Because of the turnovers, City controlled the possession by an almost 2:1 margin. By the end of the night, the Wolves were running basically at will against a defense that some believe is one of the best in the region, if not the best. And by game's end, the Trojans' defense had their hands on their hips gasping for air as City continued to pound the ball at them.
All because of the Wolves' defense resilience in swarming the Trojans' ball carriers and forcing turnovers.
"We've got to get better," Snyder said. "Offensively I was still pretty happy. But we were in position to put more (points) on the board. We just got to hang onto the ball.
"We were in position. We just can't turn the ball over. ... We just put the ball on the ground too many times."
Contact sports writer Nick Dettmann at ndettmann@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 447.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 5 2009, 01:34 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=25671
QUOTE
PROVING THEY BELONG
Michigan City 31, No. 7 Chesterton 21
Adam Parkhouse
Staff Writer
MICHIGAN CITY - Craig Buzea was reduced to tears in the Michigan City locker room.
This time, for City fans, coaches and players, any tears shed were tears of joy.
Michigan City, ranked No. 16 in the Class 5A coaches poll, pulled off arguably the biggest win in 15 seasons since the consolidation, coming from behind to beat No. 7 Chesterton 31-21 before a raucous, capacity crowd at Ames Field behind a career-high 246 yards rushing from senior Adam Harmon.
"I can't even explain it," said City junior quarterback Rodney Washington, who passed for 196 yards and two touchdowns. "You work so hard and then it finally pays off."
For Buzea and his program, the win - which puts City at 3-0 for just the second time since the consolidation - is the culmination of hard work by players, the coaching staff and partially the result of belief from the community.
"This is what I came here for," Buzea said, "when I left Portage, which at the time was the best team in the Duneland Conference, to the team in the cellar.
"This was my vision."
Then Buzea's thoughts turned to his late father Virgil, who passed away during the offseason.
"This is for my dad," Buzea said, fighting back tears unsuccessfully. "This is the first year he hasn't been with me. He never missed one of my games in 25 years.
"But he was with us tonight."
For some time, it didn't appear City would get its defining win.
In fact, for most of the first quarter, this game very much resembled last season's sectional loss at Chesterton, in which the Trojans opened up a big early lead the Wolves couldn't recover from.
City recovered a fumble - which would become a theme on the night for the Trojans - on Chesterton's opening drive, taking over possession after the Trojans moved down the field.
However, on the very next play, Washington completed a pass to senior Tracy Rivera, who also fumbled. Chesterton's Frank Raudry scooped it up and rumbled 35 yards to paydirt, giving Chesterton a 7-0 lead.
On the next drive, Washington had busted loose for what appeared to be a 43-yard touchdown but had it called back on a penalty. After a City punt and a subsequent Chesterton punt, Washington was intercepted by Greg Nowak at City's 43-yard line. Just a couple players later, Chesterton's Taylor Brown busted loose for a 39-yard touchdown run, and the Trojans appeared to be off and running.
"Coach just told us to keep our heads up," Harmon said. "... Don't put our heads down."
Unlike last year's sectional, City was able to stop the bleeding and get back in the game. Washington completed a 25-yard touchdown pass to wide open tight end Trevor Woolum near the end of the first quarter, and suddenly City was right back in the game.
"The biggest difference in the whole Michigan City team is they have matured," Chesterton coach John Snyder said. "In the past, they'd get down and their heads would go down."
City got the ball back after a Chesterton punt and just minutes later Washington connected with Rivera on a long pass that turned into an 88-yard touchdown, knotting the score at 14-14.
Late in the half, City appeared prepared to head to the locker room with a tie score, but a 21-yard run from Harmon and a 22-yard strike from Washington to Woolum gave City a chance at a field goal. Last week's hero, Dustin Rivich, knocked home a 37-yarder as time expired, giving City's it's first lead at 17-14.
The Wolves got the ball to start the third quarter and capitalized.
Harmon punctuated an 80-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown run, his first of the game, giving City a 24-14 lead with 24 unanswered points.
With 1:10 left in the third, Chesterton answered. The option pitch went to fullback Frank Raudry, but the burly senior pulled up and heaved the ball downfield to a wide open Andrew Bobrowski for a 27-yard touchdown, cutting the City lead to three points.
But in the fourth quarter, four years and two days after Ryan Fics led the Wolves to a win over Chesterton to improve to 3-0, Harmon took over. On that night in 2005, Fics ran for 368 yards with six touchdowns in a 49-35 City win. Harmon didn't quite reach that mark, but his impact was the same.
With 5:46 left, Harmon busted free, shedding Chesterton tacklers all the way to the end zone on a 39-yard touchdown run. Harmon was pumped up on his way back to the sideline, as was the overflow crowd.
"I have to congratulate my offensive line," Harmon said. "They did it all for me."
Harmon's score gave City a 10-point lead with 5:46 to play, making Chesterton's next possession crucial.
The Trojans went on the move, but faced a fourth-and-6 with 4:41 left. Taylor Brown fumbled and Jeff Bibb recovered for Michigan City. It was Chesterton's eighth fumble and fourth that City recovered.
"... we were in position to put more (points) on the board. We just got to hang onto the ball," Snyder said. "We were in position. We just can't turn the ball over. ... We just put the ball on the ground too many times."
City was then in a position to run out the clock, and the Wolves did just that. Lining up in a power "I" formation with two lead backs in front of Harmon, City plowed up the field and ran out the clock, setting off the celebration.
"When you have support, you feel like you have to do it," Washington said of the big crowd.
Harmon added, "This felt like a college stadium. There were so many people yelling for us."
It doesn't get any easier for the Wolves, who go on the road next week to take on Valparaiso. City's only beaten Valpo once, 35-14 at Valpo in 1999. The Vikings lead the all-time series 14-1.
"We're the hunted now, and I don't know that Michigan City's ever been in that position," Buzea said. "But I don't think we snuck up on anyone tonight. Someone let out the secret that we were pretty good."
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Michigan City 31, No. 7 Chesterton 21
Adam Parkhouse
Staff Writer
MICHIGAN CITY - Craig Buzea was reduced to tears in the Michigan City locker room.
This time, for City fans, coaches and players, any tears shed were tears of joy.
Michigan City, ranked No. 16 in the Class 5A coaches poll, pulled off arguably the biggest win in 15 seasons since the consolidation, coming from behind to beat No. 7 Chesterton 31-21 before a raucous, capacity crowd at Ames Field behind a career-high 246 yards rushing from senior Adam Harmon.
"I can't even explain it," said City junior quarterback Rodney Washington, who passed for 196 yards and two touchdowns. "You work so hard and then it finally pays off."
For Buzea and his program, the win - which puts City at 3-0 for just the second time since the consolidation - is the culmination of hard work by players, the coaching staff and partially the result of belief from the community.
"This is what I came here for," Buzea said, "when I left Portage, which at the time was the best team in the Duneland Conference, to the team in the cellar.
"This was my vision."
Then Buzea's thoughts turned to his late father Virgil, who passed away during the offseason.
"This is for my dad," Buzea said, fighting back tears unsuccessfully. "This is the first year he hasn't been with me. He never missed one of my games in 25 years.
"But he was with us tonight."
For some time, it didn't appear City would get its defining win.
In fact, for most of the first quarter, this game very much resembled last season's sectional loss at Chesterton, in which the Trojans opened up a big early lead the Wolves couldn't recover from.
City recovered a fumble - which would become a theme on the night for the Trojans - on Chesterton's opening drive, taking over possession after the Trojans moved down the field.
However, on the very next play, Washington completed a pass to senior Tracy Rivera, who also fumbled. Chesterton's Frank Raudry scooped it up and rumbled 35 yards to paydirt, giving Chesterton a 7-0 lead.
On the next drive, Washington had busted loose for what appeared to be a 43-yard touchdown but had it called back on a penalty. After a City punt and a subsequent Chesterton punt, Washington was intercepted by Greg Nowak at City's 43-yard line. Just a couple players later, Chesterton's Taylor Brown busted loose for a 39-yard touchdown run, and the Trojans appeared to be off and running.
"Coach just told us to keep our heads up," Harmon said. "... Don't put our heads down."
Unlike last year's sectional, City was able to stop the bleeding and get back in the game. Washington completed a 25-yard touchdown pass to wide open tight end Trevor Woolum near the end of the first quarter, and suddenly City was right back in the game.
"The biggest difference in the whole Michigan City team is they have matured," Chesterton coach John Snyder said. "In the past, they'd get down and their heads would go down."
City got the ball back after a Chesterton punt and just minutes later Washington connected with Rivera on a long pass that turned into an 88-yard touchdown, knotting the score at 14-14.
Late in the half, City appeared prepared to head to the locker room with a tie score, but a 21-yard run from Harmon and a 22-yard strike from Washington to Woolum gave City a chance at a field goal. Last week's hero, Dustin Rivich, knocked home a 37-yarder as time expired, giving City's it's first lead at 17-14.
The Wolves got the ball to start the third quarter and capitalized.
Harmon punctuated an 80-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown run, his first of the game, giving City a 24-14 lead with 24 unanswered points.
With 1:10 left in the third, Chesterton answered. The option pitch went to fullback Frank Raudry, but the burly senior pulled up and heaved the ball downfield to a wide open Andrew Bobrowski for a 27-yard touchdown, cutting the City lead to three points.
But in the fourth quarter, four years and two days after Ryan Fics led the Wolves to a win over Chesterton to improve to 3-0, Harmon took over. On that night in 2005, Fics ran for 368 yards with six touchdowns in a 49-35 City win. Harmon didn't quite reach that mark, but his impact was the same.
With 5:46 left, Harmon busted free, shedding Chesterton tacklers all the way to the end zone on a 39-yard touchdown run. Harmon was pumped up on his way back to the sideline, as was the overflow crowd.
"I have to congratulate my offensive line," Harmon said. "They did it all for me."
Harmon's score gave City a 10-point lead with 5:46 to play, making Chesterton's next possession crucial.
The Trojans went on the move, but faced a fourth-and-6 with 4:41 left. Taylor Brown fumbled and Jeff Bibb recovered for Michigan City. It was Chesterton's eighth fumble and fourth that City recovered.
"... we were in position to put more (points) on the board. We just got to hang onto the ball," Snyder said. "We were in position. We just can't turn the ball over. ... We just put the ball on the ground too many times."
City was then in a position to run out the clock, and the Wolves did just that. Lining up in a power "I" formation with two lead backs in front of Harmon, City plowed up the field and ran out the clock, setting off the celebration.
"When you have support, you feel like you have to do it," Washington said of the big crowd.
Harmon added, "This felt like a college stadium. There were so many people yelling for us."
It doesn't get any easier for the Wolves, who go on the road next week to take on Valparaiso. City's only beaten Valpo once, 35-14 at Valpo in 1999. The Vikings lead the all-time series 14-1.
"We're the hunted now, and I don't know that Michigan City's ever been in that position," Buzea said. "But I don't think we snuck up on anyone tonight. Someone let out the secret that we were pretty good."
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Posted by: MC Born & Raised Sep 5 2009, 01:37 PM
QUOTE(CaddyRich @ Sep 4 2009, 09:26 PM)
Three minutes left...all I can say is WOW! What a game. Way to go Wolves! One thing - Parky...you might not want to use the term "S.O.B." on the radio...Both you guys are great on WIMS.
LOL ... caught in the moment? What was the context? I remember using it but don't remember how.
Posted by: MC Born & Raised Sep 5 2009, 01:38 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Sep 5 2009, 02:34 PM)
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=25671
Sorry this was so long ... LOL. Lot to write about.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 5 2009, 01:53 PM
QUOTE(MC Born & Raised @ Sep 5 2009, 02:37 PM)
LOL ... caught in the moment? What was the context? I remember using it but don't remember how.
I can't remember who it was, but you referred to someone as "one tough SOB". I'm thinking it was either Isaac or Harmon.
Posted by: MC Born & Raised Sep 5 2009, 02:26 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Sep 5 2009, 02:53 PM)
I can't remember who it was, but you referred to someone as "one tough SOB". I'm thinking it was either Isaac or Harmon.
Yeah, maybe I'll avoid that in the future. At least I used the acronym. Coulda been worse.
Posted by: CaddyRich Sep 5 2009, 04:22 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Sep 5 2009, 02:53 PM)
I can't remember who it was, but you referred to someone as "one tough SOB". I'm thinking it was either Isaac or Harmon.
It was Frank Raudry from Chesterton.. No problem...I'm sure in the thrill of the game there were people saying the same thing.
Posted by: citycheercoach Sep 6 2009, 03:12 PM
QUOTE(lovethiscity @ Sep 5 2009, 08:10 AM)
Should you guys be giving kudos to the chearleaders? I meen that was quite a pumped up crowd. It was one of the most exciting games I have been to, High School - Pro and all in between.
[font=Arial Narrow]Thank you! Those are my girls and they work really hard! Thanks again! I think it help that it was Pop Warner night and you had all of those young football fans in the stands.
Posted by: MC Born & Raised Sep 7 2009, 11:14 AM
City's No. 8 in the latest coaches poll ... media poll due out soon.
http://ifca.zebras.net/ifca/ifcapoll.cfm
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 7 2009, 11:16 AM
MICHIGAN CITY MAKES THE TOP TEN!!!
INDIANA FOOTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION - CLASS 5A POLL 09/07/2009
RANK PREV RANK SCHOOL POINTS
1 2 Penn 96 (9)
2 3 Carmel 78
3 4 Ben Davis 65
4 5 Warren Central 64 (1)
5 6 Columbus East 58
6 1 Center Grove 34
7 8 Fishers 34
8 -- Michigan City 23
9 10 Zionsville 20
10 -- Munster 16
Others Receiving Votes
FW Snider - 11, Mishawaka - 10, Pike - 9, LaPorte - 7, Hamilton Southeastern - 6, Merrillville - 6, Columbus North - 5, Homestead - 5, Floyd Central - 3
Posted by: citycheercoach Sep 7 2009, 02:36 PM
QUOTE(MC Born & Raised @ Sep 7 2009, 12:14 PM)
City's No. 8 in the latest coaches poll ... media poll due out soon.
http://ifca.zebras.net/ifca/ifcapoll.cfm
I was just about to post this myself! This is the most exciting thing to happen to MC sports in a LONG time!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 9 2009, 09:40 AM
http://www.chestertontribune.com/Sports/chesterton_football_falls_in_dac.htm
QUOTE
By TR HARLAN
It’s hard enough to beat a really good team. It’s near impossible if you hand them the ball.
The Chesterton football team fumbled seven times, losing four, and dropped its first game of the season with a 31-21 Duneland Athletic Conference loss at Michigan City on Friday night.
“I’m actually extremely proud of our kids,” Chesterton coach John Snyder said. “I thought we played really well. It may not look that way, but we were in a position to get ahead and we just turned the ball over.
“This was as close to a playoff atmosphere as I’ve seen this early in the season.”
The Trojans took the game’s opening kickoff and moved to the Michigan City 31-yard line before a fumble by Dan Jensen was recovered by the Wolves.
One play later, City quarterback Rodney Washington hit Corban Cavanaugh in the flat and he fumbled. Chesterton’s Frank Raudry picked up the football and rumbled 35 yards for a touchdown.
On City’s second possession, Greg Nowak picked off a Washington pass and then the Trojans’ needed just two plays to push the lead to 14-0. Taylor Brown scored from 38 yards out.
City responded with a seven-play drive that covered 80 yards with the final 25 coming on a pass from Washington to Trevor Woolum down the middle of the field.
“They have great athletes and do a great job,” Snyder said. “I knew they were going to be able to move the ball and do some things that really make it tough for us.”
The Trojans were forced to punt as the second quarter got underway and it didn’t take long for the Wolves to tie the score. Washington hit Tracy Rivera with an 88-yard scoring strike that tied the game at 14.
Chesterton’s ensuing possession took them from their own 44-yard line all the way to the Michigan City 8-yard line, but quarterback Jon Watson was stripped of the football and the Wolves recovered.
“In the first half, we fumbled deep in their territory,” Snyder said. “At worst, we get a field goal and go up 17-14. Instead, it’s the other way around.”
The Wolves took their 17-14 lead on the final play of the half when Dustin Rivich hit a 36-yard field goal.
“At halftime, we look at our plays and 17 of 22 are positive plays,” Snyder said. “The negative plays were fumbles and incomplete passes. Everything we were doing was good, we just can’t put the ball on the ground.”
Michigan City came out of the locker room and immediately marched 80 yards in 11 plays that finished in Adam Harmon’s 33-yard touchdown run.
The key play in the drive was on second and 10 when the Trojans sacked Washington for a three-yard loss, but a personal foul on the tackle gave the Wolves a first down.
The Trojans fumbled again, but the defense forced a punt that led to Chesterton’s pulling within 24-21 when Frank Raudry hit Andrew Bobrowski from 26 yards away on a halfback option pass.
“Offensively, I know we only put 14 points up, but I was pretty happy,” Snyder said. “We were in position to put more points on the board, we just have to hang on to the football.”
Michigan City would add the game’s final score in the fourth quarter when Harmon pulled away from the defense for a 39-yard touchdown run. Harmon rushed for 235 yards on 25 carries, while Washington was 8-of-17 through the air for 193 yards.
“We have to get better and find a way to defense that type of offense,” Snyder said.
The Trojans return to the field on Friday night when they play host to the LaPorte Slicers. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Michigan City 31, Chesterton 21
C MC
First Downs 11 22
Net Yards Rushing 148 322
Net Yards Passing 91 193
Total Yards Gained 239 515
Passes att/comp/int 11/6/0 17/8/2
Punts/avg. 3/34.7 1/34.0
Penalties/yards 4/35 8/45
Fumbles/lost 7/4 1/1
SCORING BY QUARTERS
Chesterton 14 0 7 0 -- 21
Michigan City 7 10 7 7 -- 31
INDIVIDUAL SCORING
C -- Frank Raudry 34 fumble return (Kyle Schmidt kick)
C -- Taylor Brown 38 run (Schmidt kick)
MC -- Trevor Woolum 25 pass from Rod Washington (Dustin Rivich kick)
MC -- Tracy Rivera 88 pass from Washington (Rivich kick)
MC -- Rivich 36 FG
MC -- Adam Harmon 14 run (Rivich kick)
C -- Andrew Bobrowski 27 pass from Raudry (Schmidt kick)
MC -- Harmon 39 run (Rivich kick)
Posted 9/8/2009
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 9 2009, 09:43 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=25699&TM=40282.01
QUOTE
Who's Crazy?
Money On Tuesday
Nick Dettmann
The News-Dispatch
When Craig Buzea came to Michigan City more than three years ago, he says people called him crazy. Silly.
They questioned why he would go from the perennial power of the Duneland Conference at the time, Portage, to the laughingstock of the DAC, City. Piling up wins week after week is all fine and dandy, but what are the players and coaches really getting out of it?
Nothing.
We all know life is about its ups and downs. What do you learn from the downs to get you back up? When you're always on the up, you don't learn as much - if anything. Coaches often love a challenge. Building a program from the ground up.
That's what Buzea has now done with the Wolves in three years. He's got them from the cellar to the top of the mountain - at least for the time being.
Buzea said our town can't organize any victory parades yet. "There's a long way to go," he added. Twenty-five years of coaching have prepared him for this, and more than 15 in the Duneland Conference. He knows the DAC is as tough as they come here in Northwest Indiana, or even the state. You can be on top one week and on the bottom just as fast.
Both Buzea and Chesterton coach John Snyder said Friday the race for the DAC title will more than likely go down to the final weekend of the regular season. I bet if you ask any other coach in the DAC that same question, I guarantee you'll get the same answer.
City's victory over Class 5A No. 7 Chesterton on Friday night taught us so many things that could be used as valuable life tools.
But the one that stands out to me is: If you work hard for something, you set your heart out to accomplish it, you will achieve your goal, your dream. Give tons of credit to Buzea, his coaching staff and his players for their victory. The way Friday's game started when City fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter, Many Wolves teams of the past would've just rolled over and died. Not this bunch.
Snyder said that is a sign of maturity. Buzea agreed.
In sports, we often don't get a reminder how important it is until the full game, match or competition is fully completed. Football games don't end with five minutes and change left in the first quarter. It ends with 0:00 on the scoreboard after the fourth quarter (unless it's tied, obviously).
This comes from a group of players believing in each other. Trusting each other. Dedicating themselves to each other. That is a sign of good - great - coaching.
City came in to the year with the goal - the expectation - of competing for the DAC, and Friday was a good first step in that direction.
Winning a game like Friday night's in front of a capacity crowd where the ticket line reached the park adjacent to the stadium about a half-hour before kickoff puts City in the discussion. Winning a game like Friday night's and seeing the reaction from the coaches, players and fans was why Buzea came to City. He said so himself Friday night.
"This was my vision," he said.
Who's calling him crazy now?
Contact sports writer Nick Dettmann at ndettmann@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 447.
Money On Tuesday
Nick Dettmann
The News-Dispatch
When Craig Buzea came to Michigan City more than three years ago, he says people called him crazy. Silly.
They questioned why he would go from the perennial power of the Duneland Conference at the time, Portage, to the laughingstock of the DAC, City. Piling up wins week after week is all fine and dandy, but what are the players and coaches really getting out of it?
Nothing.
We all know life is about its ups and downs. What do you learn from the downs to get you back up? When you're always on the up, you don't learn as much - if anything. Coaches often love a challenge. Building a program from the ground up.
That's what Buzea has now done with the Wolves in three years. He's got them from the cellar to the top of the mountain - at least for the time being.
Buzea said our town can't organize any victory parades yet. "There's a long way to go," he added. Twenty-five years of coaching have prepared him for this, and more than 15 in the Duneland Conference. He knows the DAC is as tough as they come here in Northwest Indiana, or even the state. You can be on top one week and on the bottom just as fast.
Both Buzea and Chesterton coach John Snyder said Friday the race for the DAC title will more than likely go down to the final weekend of the regular season. I bet if you ask any other coach in the DAC that same question, I guarantee you'll get the same answer.
City's victory over Class 5A No. 7 Chesterton on Friday night taught us so many things that could be used as valuable life tools.
But the one that stands out to me is: If you work hard for something, you set your heart out to accomplish it, you will achieve your goal, your dream. Give tons of credit to Buzea, his coaching staff and his players for their victory. The way Friday's game started when City fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter, Many Wolves teams of the past would've just rolled over and died. Not this bunch.
Snyder said that is a sign of maturity. Buzea agreed.
In sports, we often don't get a reminder how important it is until the full game, match or competition is fully completed. Football games don't end with five minutes and change left in the first quarter. It ends with 0:00 on the scoreboard after the fourth quarter (unless it's tied, obviously).
This comes from a group of players believing in each other. Trusting each other. Dedicating themselves to each other. That is a sign of good - great - coaching.
City came in to the year with the goal - the expectation - of competing for the DAC, and Friday was a good first step in that direction.
Winning a game like Friday night's in front of a capacity crowd where the ticket line reached the park adjacent to the stadium about a half-hour before kickoff puts City in the discussion. Winning a game like Friday night's and seeing the reaction from the coaches, players and fans was why Buzea came to City. He said so himself Friday night.
"This was my vision," he said.
Who's calling him crazy now?
Contact sports writer Nick Dettmann at ndettmann@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 447.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 9 2009, 09:45 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=25685&TM=40084.13
QUOTE
Great Feelings, Rare Air
Home Cookin'
This is, indeed, rarefied air.
Only one Michigan City High School football team can lay claim to feeling what the 2009 Wolves are feeling right now.
In 2005, the Wolves were also 3-0 behind superstar running back Ryan Fics and a senior class with a tremendous will.
One person on a Michigan City message board, www.citybythelake.org, even called Friday's 31-21 win over No. 7 Chesterton the biggest win in football around here since Elston beat Penn back in 1984 on its way to a sectional championship.
I can't disagree. It was an important win for many reasons. The biggest reason? It puts City atop the Duneland Conference standings.
Remember, only one other time has City been able to say they're in first place in the conference.
For now, winning conference is what this City team should be focused on. There's absolutely no reason why that can't make a push for the title. There's no singularly dominant team in the DAC this year as there might have been in other years.
I said before that we'd learn a lot about teams once DAC play began. Here's what we know so far, based on Friday's results:
Michigan City 31, Chesterton 21: We learned that Michigan City is for real, that Adam Harmon is a two-way beast and that the Wolves don't plan on laying down for anyone.
We also know that Chesterton, while a good team, is prone to the perils of turnovers like any other team. I don't care who you are, you can't fumble eight times and lose four and expect to win a game. Expect the Trojans to get back on the right track and by in the mix by season's end.
Home Cookin'
This is, indeed, rarefied air.
Only one Michigan City High School football team can lay claim to feeling what the 2009 Wolves are feeling right now.
In 2005, the Wolves were also 3-0 behind superstar running back Ryan Fics and a senior class with a tremendous will.
One person on a Michigan City message board, www.citybythelake.org, even called Friday's 31-21 win over No. 7 Chesterton the biggest win in football around here since Elston beat Penn back in 1984 on its way to a sectional championship.
I can't disagree. It was an important win for many reasons. The biggest reason? It puts City atop the Duneland Conference standings.
Remember, only one other time has City been able to say they're in first place in the conference.
For now, winning conference is what this City team should be focused on. There's absolutely no reason why that can't make a push for the title. There's no singularly dominant team in the DAC this year as there might have been in other years.
I said before that we'd learn a lot about teams once DAC play began. Here's what we know so far, based on Friday's results:
Michigan City 31, Chesterton 21: We learned that Michigan City is for real, that Adam Harmon is a two-way beast and that the Wolves don't plan on laying down for anyone.
We also know that Chesterton, while a good team, is prone to the perils of turnovers like any other team. I don't care who you are, you can't fumble eight times and lose four and expect to win a game. Expect the Trojans to get back on the right track and by in the mix by season's end.
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 9 2009, 10:59 AM
QUOTE
One person on a Michigan City message board, www.citybythelake.org, even called Friday's 31-21 win over No. 7 Chesterton the biggest win in football around here since Elston beat Penn back in 1984 on its way to a sectional championship.
OMG!
The Wolves now need send a stong statement to the rest of their upcoming opponents by going on the road Friday night and just flat out kick Valpo's a$$!!!---quote me on that in Friday's edition.
Posted by: Ang Sep 9 2009, 11:43 AM
You're famous!!!
Posted by: adam78sc Sep 9 2009, 12:20 PM
I just wanted to add that as a former Wolves player (class '97) I am really proud of what this year's team has accomplished thus far in just 3 games. The community and players really seem to have gotten behind Coach Buzea. I was at the Chesterton game and I have never been so excited in my whole life when it comes to football in Michigan City after what I seen there. Granted after 14 quick Chesterton points I got nervous but they bounced right back. Beautiful. Add to the fact that they have made the top ten in the coaches poll is just surreal. They seem to be making huge strides now and I hope and pray they keep this momentum up. GO WOLVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lets make this the year for a DAC title!
Posted by: adam78sc Sep 9 2009, 12:43 PM
QUOTE(MC Born & Raised @ Sep 7 2009, 12:14 PM)
City's No. 8 in the latest coaches poll ... media poll due out soon.
http://ifca.zebras.net/ifca/ifcapoll.cfm
When the media poll is released is their a link online to get to it?
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 9 2009, 12:52 PM
QUOTE(adam78sc @ Sep 9 2009, 01:43 PM)
When the media poll is released is their a link online to get to it?
That site, or this one
http://indianahsfootball.homestead.com/
Are the best sources for IN HS football information in general. If you are looking for stories, the google news search is your best friend.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 10 2009, 10:49 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=25732
QUOTE
Hang Tight, Football Fans
Adam Parkhouse
Sports Editor, The News-Dispatch
La Porte and Michigan City both have pretty solid basketball histories.
While La Porte may be more likely considered a baseball town, Michigan City has always reveled in its basketball prowess - aside from the last 15 years, of course.
But 2009 is seeing both communities begin to rise up with a new identity.
It's a pretty rare occurrence to see the Slicers and Wolves perfect through three weeks. Since the 1995 consolidation that formed Michigan City High School, this is the only the second time it's happened (and second time overall for City). The Slicers have started 3-0 just three times during that time period.
While it may be a bit early to put either team at Lucas Oil Stadium for the Class 5A state title game, I believe both squads are for real and will continue to give opponents in the Duneland Conference fits.
You need only look to last week as proof that La Porte county's biggest schools mean business in 2009. Perennial DAC power Valparaiso couldn't hold a halftime lead against the Slicers. In Michigan City, a raucous crowd at Ames Field watched the upstart Wolves take down the No. 7-ranked Chesterton Trojans despite Chesterton holding a 14-0 lead early.
There's a lot to like about both of these teams. La Porte has a terrific quarterback in Dustin DeMuth, who recently committed to Indiana University for baseball. He captains an offense that has put up points and big chunks of yardage seemingly at will early in the season.
But the biggest reason for the Slicers' 3-0 start has been the emergence of running back Nick Latchford and backup Simmie McGruder. Latchford has been unbelievable through three games, taking advantage of a very good offensive line opening up gaping holes. No DAC team has scored more points so far than the Slicers' 116, but only one (Crown Point) has surrendered more points that La Porte's 62.
If the Slicers can keep the ground game going to compliment DeMuth and the passing game, the defense doesn't need to be heroic, just good enough to keep the team in games. So far, so good.
At City, the Wolves have scored 107 points thus far, second only behind their intracounty rivals. But City's defense, which going back to the second half of last season has been terrific, has allowed a DAC-low 31 points.
The Wolves returned 10 of 11 starters on the defensive side and many thought it could be a solid unit. One thing to keep an eye on is the 10 points allowed to South Bend Washington in a Week 2 win. The Panthers scored a combined 107 points during wins in Weeks 1 and 3, and that 10 could be their lowest output of the season by year's end.
But City's not just all about defense. Running back Adam Harmon and junior quarterback Rodney Washington have begun to emerge as one of the best RB-QB tandems in the DAC, and City - like La Porte - is able to move the ball in multiple ways.
If City can continue to put the clamps down on defense and move the ball efficiently on offense, the Wolves will also remain a thorn in the sides of DAC opponents.
So what's the point of all this? City and La Porte meet in Week 8 at Kiwanis Field on Oct. 9. Because these teams meet so late in the regular season, the game has rarely taken on any real importance other than county bragging rights.
But on that night in La Porte, much, much more could be on the line. In the history of the DAC, La Porte has just two shared conference crowns (2003 and 1986) and Michigan City hasn't really come close.
There's plenty of football left in between now and then, but Oct. 9 has potential to be pretty special in La Porte County.
In the meantime, enjoy the ride football fans.
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Adam Parkhouse
Sports Editor, The News-Dispatch
La Porte and Michigan City both have pretty solid basketball histories.
While La Porte may be more likely considered a baseball town, Michigan City has always reveled in its basketball prowess - aside from the last 15 years, of course.
But 2009 is seeing both communities begin to rise up with a new identity.
It's a pretty rare occurrence to see the Slicers and Wolves perfect through three weeks. Since the 1995 consolidation that formed Michigan City High School, this is the only the second time it's happened (and second time overall for City). The Slicers have started 3-0 just three times during that time period.
While it may be a bit early to put either team at Lucas Oil Stadium for the Class 5A state title game, I believe both squads are for real and will continue to give opponents in the Duneland Conference fits.
You need only look to last week as proof that La Porte county's biggest schools mean business in 2009. Perennial DAC power Valparaiso couldn't hold a halftime lead against the Slicers. In Michigan City, a raucous crowd at Ames Field watched the upstart Wolves take down the No. 7-ranked Chesterton Trojans despite Chesterton holding a 14-0 lead early.
There's a lot to like about both of these teams. La Porte has a terrific quarterback in Dustin DeMuth, who recently committed to Indiana University for baseball. He captains an offense that has put up points and big chunks of yardage seemingly at will early in the season.
But the biggest reason for the Slicers' 3-0 start has been the emergence of running back Nick Latchford and backup Simmie McGruder. Latchford has been unbelievable through three games, taking advantage of a very good offensive line opening up gaping holes. No DAC team has scored more points so far than the Slicers' 116, but only one (Crown Point) has surrendered more points that La Porte's 62.
If the Slicers can keep the ground game going to compliment DeMuth and the passing game, the defense doesn't need to be heroic, just good enough to keep the team in games. So far, so good.
At City, the Wolves have scored 107 points thus far, second only behind their intracounty rivals. But City's defense, which going back to the second half of last season has been terrific, has allowed a DAC-low 31 points.
The Wolves returned 10 of 11 starters on the defensive side and many thought it could be a solid unit. One thing to keep an eye on is the 10 points allowed to South Bend Washington in a Week 2 win. The Panthers scored a combined 107 points during wins in Weeks 1 and 3, and that 10 could be their lowest output of the season by year's end.
But City's not just all about defense. Running back Adam Harmon and junior quarterback Rodney Washington have begun to emerge as one of the best RB-QB tandems in the DAC, and City - like La Porte - is able to move the ball in multiple ways.
If City can continue to put the clamps down on defense and move the ball efficiently on offense, the Wolves will also remain a thorn in the sides of DAC opponents.
So what's the point of all this? City and La Porte meet in Week 8 at Kiwanis Field on Oct. 9. Because these teams meet so late in the regular season, the game has rarely taken on any real importance other than county bragging rights.
But on that night in La Porte, much, much more could be on the line. In the history of the DAC, La Porte has just two shared conference crowns (2003 and 1986) and Michigan City hasn't really come close.
There's plenty of football left in between now and then, but Oct. 9 has potential to be pretty special in La Porte County.
In the meantime, enjoy the ride football fans.
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 10 2009, 11:46 AM
QUOTE
But the biggest reason for the Slicers' 3-0 start has been the emergence of running back Nick Latchford and backup Simmie McGruder. Latchford has been unbelievable through three games, taking advantage of a very good offensive line opening up gaping holes.
La Porte's back field has the easy job, their offensive line is stellar. their coach is a guy named Bob James, he's orignially from New Buffalo and played D-1 college football at Western Michigan. He was recently on the coaching staff for the North is this past summer's annual North-South all-star game.
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 10 2009, 10:11 PM
QUOTE
In 2005, the Wolves were also 3-0 behind superstar running back Ryan Fics and a senior class with a tremendous will.
Isn't it about time to finally put that 2005 Bob Holmes "miracle season" to rest? Who did they really beat that year? Especially boasting about that DAC opening win against Chesterton to go 3-0, I honestly was never impressived at all, it sounds great to say that they started 3-0 and finished with a winning (ugh) 6-5 record (Michigan City was only a measely 3-4 in the DAC), sounds nice in the sports page, the fact is each and every one of those wins came against crummy, bottom feeding record teams that season.
Let's all go back and relive each of those 2005 Wolves victories those teams finishing record that season:
- 41-8 Gary Roosevelt (Yippee)...3-6
- 42-21 South Bend Clay...3-7
- *-49-35 Chesterton...3-8
- 28-16 Lake Central...2-8
- 23-14 Portage...2-8
- 42-14 East Chicago...3-7
- Got blasted out of the sectionals 12-49 by eventual state semi-finalist Merrillvile
*-Chesterton's 3 wins came against Lake Central (0-7 DAC record) and the Trojans defeated Portage twice
Posted by: MC Born & Raised Sep 11 2009, 01:00 AM
QUOTE(taxthedeer @ Sep 10 2009, 11:11 PM)
Isn't it about time to finally put that 2005 Bob Holmes "miracle season" to rest? Who did they really beat that year? Especially boasting about that DAC opening win against Chesterton to go 3-0, I honestly was never impressived at all, it sounds great to say that they started 3-0 and finished with a winning (ugh) 6-5 record (Michigan City was only a measely 3-4 in the DAC), sounds nice in the sports page, the fact is each and every one of those wins came against crummy, bottom feeding record teams that season.
Let's all go back and relive each of those 2005 Wolves victories those teams finishing record that season:
- 41-8 Gary Roosevelt (Yippee)...3-6
- 42-21 South Bend Clay...3-7
- *-49-35 Chesterton...3-8
- 28-16 Lake Central...2-8
- 23-14 Portage...2-8
- 42-14 East Chicago...3-7
- Got blasted out of the sectionals 12-49 by eventual state semi-finalist Merrillvile
I wouldn't dispute a word of that. No doubt, that team never beat anybody they weren't supposed to beat. Unfortunately, for better or worse, that team and the 2000 team (finished 7-4) are the standard by which other City teams are measured. Going forward, I bet the 2009 edition will become the new standard bearer. What I wouldn't take away from the 2005 team was how incredible a season Fics had. They don't win half as many games as they won (including Chesterton) without him. He wasn't the two-way threat that Adam Harmon currently is, but City hasn't seen a better running back in a long, long time.
Posted by: mcstumper Sep 11 2009, 08:48 PM
City wins 21-17. Harmon had over 130 yards rushing... in the 4th quarter. Way to go, Hoss. Way to go City.
Posted by: adam78sc Sep 11 2009, 08:50 PM
YES, YES, YES!!! 4-0 FOR THE FIRST TIME!!! Not the stomping I was hoping for but a win is a win as they say!
21-17 City beats Valpo! 
Posted by: RedDevilMC Sep 11 2009, 08:51 PM
AWESOME Coverage by WIMS! Way to go Wolves! Two weeks in a row, near heart attack. I think I sprained my ankle when I jumped up over the chair. I can't handle this. I will be in the stands next week.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 11 2009, 09:48 PM
Great game to be behind the mic for. Harmon was just a monster that game when the entire stadium knew he was going to be running the ball. I was really impressed with the City resilience to rally from 10 down in the 4th quarter to win that game. The play call for the final touchdown was just brilliant.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 11 2009, 09:53 PM
FWIW, WIMS is rerunning the broadcast of the game as we speak. It is just short of the fourth quarter.
Posted by: Ang Sep 11 2009, 10:41 PM
City beat Valpo?!?!?!?!?!?
I am in awe!
Way to go Wolves!
Posted by: citycheercoach Sep 11 2009, 11:02 PM
QUOTE(MC Born & Raised @ Sep 11 2009, 02:00 AM)
I wouldn't dispute a word of that. No doubt, that team never beat anybody they weren't supposed to beat. Unfortunately, for better or worse, that team and the 2000 team (finished 7-4) are the standard by which other City teams are measured. Going forward, I bet the 2009 edition will become the new standard bearer. What I wouldn't take away from the 2005 team was how incredible a season Fics had. They don't win half as many games as they won (including Chesterton) without him. He wasn't the two-way threat that Adam Harmon currently is, but City hasn't seen a better running back in a long, long time.
Thank you somebody for finally bringing up the 2000 team. They had a much bigger package than 2005...but maybe I am bias because that was my senior year and those were my friends out there!
Tonight's Valpo game was amazing! The best quarter of football I have ever watched! So excited for these kids because they get to feel what 4-0 feels like! It is nice to have something to be excited for in this town. It all seems so surreal.
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 12 2009, 09:01 AM
QUOTE(MC Born & Raised @ Sep 11 2009, 02:00 AM)
I wouldn't dispute a word of that. No doubt, that team never beat anybody they weren't supposed to beat. Unfortunately, for better or worse, that team and the 2000 team (finished 7-4) are the standard by which other City teams are measured. Going forward, I bet the 2009 edition will become the new standard bearer. What I wouldn't take away from the 2005 team was how incredible a season Fics had. They don't win half as many games as they won (including Chesterton) without him. He wasn't the two-way threat that Adam Harmon currently is, but City hasn't seen a better running back in a long, long time.
Perhaps what's the biggest problem has been all along, willingness to accept mediocratity and inconsistantcy as a standard of excellence.
The Wolves has always had a good share of back field talent besides Fics and Harmon, when they consolidated their was the kid the called "Baby Bettis" (I don't recall his name), then their was Andrew "The Prez" Jackson, Javen Lee, Javen's cousin, the one they called "Little Tank" had enormous heart (forgot his name too, "Little Tank" had a couple older brothers that were awfully good too.)
Let me say that all ten of my fingernails are now chewed down to a nub after last nights thrilling victory.
This is great, first kicked a walk off field goal to beat Washington, down 14 and came back to beat Chesterton last week, down 10 and came back to beat Valpo last night, now let's destroy Merrillville. That's the sign of a champion.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 12 2009, 09:27 AM
If you have not done so already, please join the Facebook group for CBTL. We are trying to get people to go to homecoming, please join us here!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=133973103674&ref=mf
At the top of the page, if you click the hyperlink of citybythelake.org, it will take you to the full CBTL facebook page.
Posted by: lovethiscity Sep 12 2009, 12:49 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Sep 12 2009, 10:27 AM)
If you have not done so already, please join the Facebook group for CBTL. We are trying to get people to go to homecoming, please join us here!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=133973103674&ref=mf
At the top of the page, if you click the hyperlink of citybythelake.org, it will take you to the full CBTL facebook page.
Michael, if you are askong me to homecoming. I must let you know up front, I am happily married!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 12 2009, 12:56 PM
QUOTE(lovethiscity @ Sep 12 2009, 01:49 PM)
Michael, if you are askong me to homecoming. I must let you know up front, I am happily married!
It can be our little secret [wink]
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 12 2009, 01:08 PM
http://www.post-trib.com/sports/highschools/1766447,fbh-mc-valp-0912.article
QUOTE
Wolves rally in fourth quarter to stun Vikings
September 12, 2009BY TOM WYATT Post-Tribune correspondent
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VALPARAISO -- Michigan City made another statement Friday night. In fact, the Wolves made many statements.
Michigan City rallied from a 10-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat Valparaiso 21-17 and run its record to 4-0 for the first time since Rogers and Elston consolidated in 1995.
It was Michigan City's first win over Valparaiso since 1999, breaking a string of 10 straight losses to the Vikings. And the Wolves, who came in ranked eighth in the state Class 5A coaches poll, won for the first time on the road in their third season under former Portage coach Craig Buzea.
"This is unchartered territory for these kids," Buzea said. "I told them if you want to be eighth-ranked, it's easier to get there than to stay there. And this was a trap game.
"Valpo had a great game plan. But somehow our kids found a way to get the job done."
Trailing 17-7 with less than 10 minutes to play in the fourth quarter, Michigan City (4-0, 2-0 Duneland Conference) put the game in the hands of senior running back Adam Harmon. Harmon rushed for 136 of his 208 yards in the fourth quarter, including a 48-yard touchdown run with 8:32 remaining to pull the Wolves within 17-14.
"I looked into everybody's eyes and knew in the fourth quarter we were going to do something," Harmon said. "They just gave me the ball, and we ran it down their throat."
True enough. Because after Harmon pulled Michigan City to within a field goal, Valparaiso (1-3, 0-2 DAC) went three and out and was forced to punt. Running out of the wildcat formation, Harmon took over again and carried the Wolves down to the Vikings' 3-yard line with 21 seconds to play.
Michigan City, though, was called for a false start and wound up facing second and goal from the 7. Tyree Wright then dropped a sure touchdown in the end zone to force third down. With quarterback Rodney Washington under center, Washington looked for Wright again but instead checked off and found a wide-open Trevor Woolum in the end zone for the game-winning touchdown with 8.5 seconds left.
Asked if he would have attempted a field goal if the play failed, Buzea shrugged off the question.
"We weren't planning on getting to fourth down," Buzea said.
Valparaiso changed its look and ran its own version of the wildcat offense -- or whatever you want to call it. And it was Michael Perkins who took the direct snap much of the night after Paul Andrie started at quarterback and later rotated in at times.
Perkins finished with 110 yards rushing, including a 10-yard TD run that put Valpo up 14-7 in the second quarter after the Vikes fell behind 7-0. A Sam Ficken 37-yard field goal just before the half put Valpo ahead 17-7.
The Vikings had a golden opportunity to make that cushion 24-7 early in the fourth quarter, but a drive that lasted 7:22 was marred by penalties, including one that erased an Isaac Bullock run that would have put Valpo on the Michigan City goal line.
"The kids played their tails off," Vikings coach Mark Hoffman said. "We just couldn't get it done. Michigan City has all the talent and all the power. Their line just took over at the end. They're a great football team, and we should have beat them."
September 12, 2009BY TOM WYATT Post-Tribune correspondent
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VALPARAISO -- Michigan City made another statement Friday night. In fact, the Wolves made many statements.
Michigan City rallied from a 10-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat Valparaiso 21-17 and run its record to 4-0 for the first time since Rogers and Elston consolidated in 1995.
It was Michigan City's first win over Valparaiso since 1999, breaking a string of 10 straight losses to the Vikings. And the Wolves, who came in ranked eighth in the state Class 5A coaches poll, won for the first time on the road in their third season under former Portage coach Craig Buzea.
"This is unchartered territory for these kids," Buzea said. "I told them if you want to be eighth-ranked, it's easier to get there than to stay there. And this was a trap game.
"Valpo had a great game plan. But somehow our kids found a way to get the job done."
Trailing 17-7 with less than 10 minutes to play in the fourth quarter, Michigan City (4-0, 2-0 Duneland Conference) put the game in the hands of senior running back Adam Harmon. Harmon rushed for 136 of his 208 yards in the fourth quarter, including a 48-yard touchdown run with 8:32 remaining to pull the Wolves within 17-14.
"I looked into everybody's eyes and knew in the fourth quarter we were going to do something," Harmon said. "They just gave me the ball, and we ran it down their throat."
True enough. Because after Harmon pulled Michigan City to within a field goal, Valparaiso (1-3, 0-2 DAC) went three and out and was forced to punt. Running out of the wildcat formation, Harmon took over again and carried the Wolves down to the Vikings' 3-yard line with 21 seconds to play.
Michigan City, though, was called for a false start and wound up facing second and goal from the 7. Tyree Wright then dropped a sure touchdown in the end zone to force third down. With quarterback Rodney Washington under center, Washington looked for Wright again but instead checked off and found a wide-open Trevor Woolum in the end zone for the game-winning touchdown with 8.5 seconds left.
Asked if he would have attempted a field goal if the play failed, Buzea shrugged off the question.
"We weren't planning on getting to fourth down," Buzea said.
Valparaiso changed its look and ran its own version of the wildcat offense -- or whatever you want to call it. And it was Michael Perkins who took the direct snap much of the night after Paul Andrie started at quarterback and later rotated in at times.
Perkins finished with 110 yards rushing, including a 10-yard TD run that put Valpo up 14-7 in the second quarter after the Vikes fell behind 7-0. A Sam Ficken 37-yard field goal just before the half put Valpo ahead 17-7.
The Vikings had a golden opportunity to make that cushion 24-7 early in the fourth quarter, but a drive that lasted 7:22 was marred by penalties, including one that erased an Isaac Bullock run that would have put Valpo on the Michigan City goal line.
"The kids played their tails off," Vikings coach Mark Hoffman said. "We just couldn't get it done. Michigan City has all the talent and all the power. Their line just took over at the end. They're a great football team, and we should have beat them."
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 12 2009, 01:10 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=25767
QUOTE
'Just Unbelievable'
Michigan City 21, Valparaiso 17
Adam Parkhouse
Staff Writer
VALPARAISO, Ind. - Trevor Woolum doesn't think he had a very good game, Friday. He had just one reception, after all.
But oh, what a reception it was.
Woolum was on the scoring end of a 6-yard touchdown strike with 8.5 seconds left, completing a stunning comeback and catapulting Class 5A No. 8 Michigan City to an improbable, exhilarating, logic-defying 21-17 victory over Valparaiso, making City 4-0 for the first time in school history.
"This is only our second win against Valpo, and it's just an honor," Woolum said, referring to City's now 2-14 record against the Vikings since the consolidation.
Woolum might have caught the game-winner, but it was senior Adam Harmon that put City in position for the comeback win. The bull-headed, ultra-fast Harmon had 139 yards rushing - in the fourth quarter. He finished with 213 for the game, following up last week's 246 against Chesterton.
Harmon did much of his damage out of City's wildcat formation.
"Give (offensive coordinator) Eric Schreiber credit. He was up in the booth and said (Valpo) hadn't stopped (the wildcat) yet, so let's get back to it," City coach Craig Buzea said. "Our kids believe in it and they believe in their conditioning."
For most of the first half, City (4-0, 2-0 Duneland) was in control of the game. Neither team scored in a defensive stalemate of a first quarter.
But with 8:21 left in the half, City quarterback Rodney Washington hooked up with Tracy Rivera for a 28-yard touchdown to give City a 7-0 lead.
Then, everything started falling apart for City.
Valpo (1-3, 0-2 DAC) inserted speedster Michael Perkins as its quarterback, taking over for Paul Andrie who was struggling in place of normal starter Zach Livovich, who's out with an injury.
Perkins mostly ran the ball as QB, and City had a terrible time stopping it. With Perkins' help, Valpo tied the game at 5:17 with an Andrie 1-yard quarterback sneak.
But Valpo wasn't done. City went three-and-out on its next possession and surrendered a 46-yard punt return to the Valpo 10-yard line from Eric Thompson. On the next play, Perkins scored from 10 yards and just like that, Valpo led 14-7.
"They were just running the ball down our throats and we couldn't stop them," Harmon said. "Our defense had to step up."
But the second-quarter horror wasn't over yet. City once again stalled offensively, and Valpo got the ball back again. After an ill-timed personal foul on City, Valpo was able to get a 37-yard field goal out of Sam Ficken to give Valpo a 17-7 lead and all the momentum heading to the second half.
"I just knew we needed to get to halftime to make some adjustments," Buzea said of the Perkins wrinkle to Valpo's offense. "We run it, too, but not usually against our first-team defense in practice."
Harmon worried that the scene was all too familiar.
"What's running through my head is, 'Is this happening again?'", Harmon said.
In the second half, City did have more luck slowing down Perkins and the Vikings, but the offense wasn't doing much and Valpo was moving the ball, taking precious seconds off the clock.
The third quarter ended with City still down 10, and things were looking grim.
It got worse when Valpo went on the move early in the fourth and threatened to score. But penalties - the Vikings had 11 of them for 90 yards - drove the Vikings out of field goal range, giving City some hope.
The Wolves drove from the 20 up to their own 35-yard line, then brought in Harmon in the wildcat formation.
Harmon took a snap and gutted out 17 yards to just past midfield.
Next play: Same formation, bigger result. Harmon got into space, turned the corner and rumbled 48 yards to paydirt in front of his team's sideline and a raucous visiting crowd, drawing City to within three at 17-14.
City still needed a defensive stand, and got one. The Vikings went three-and-out and City got the ball back with just more than seven minutes to play.
Again, City turned to Harmon after taking over at its own 38-yard line. The senior didn't disappoint. Play after play, Harmon drove City downfield.
First it was 9 yards, then 4 and another 7. Next it was a 21-yard scamper, followed by eight more and 6 yards on two carries after that. After a couple more short runs, City was knocking on the door inside the 5.
Harmon's final carry was on fourth-and-inches from the Valpo 6, and Harmon picked up three yards to set up the game-winning heroics.
A false start penalty put City in a bind at second-and-goal from the 6. The first play was a playaction pass, with the game-winner slipping through Tyree Wright's hands in the end zone.
On the next play, the first part of the play was the same, playaction, Washington rolls right and Wright goes that way, too.
But this time Woolum ran a crossing route to the left side of the end zone, where he found himself wide open. Washington delivered a strike to set off the celebration.
"I'm just thinking, 'You gotta hold on,'" Woolum said. "In the moment ... I'm just thinking, 'Get the ball, get the ball.'"
Buzea added, "That's a play that just keeps working and working for me in 20-plus years. I was afraid to call it because Hoffy (Valpo coach Mark Hoffman) has seen it so many times."
Now, City's all set up for what will become the latest biggest game in program history: homecoming at Ames Field against fellow DAC frontrunner Merrillville.
Friday's win was also City's first on the road under Buzea.
"We've never taken a happy bus ride home," Buzea said. "We had an unbelievable crowd following us tonight. Just unbelievable."
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Michigan City 21, Valparaiso 17
Adam Parkhouse
Staff Writer
VALPARAISO, Ind. - Trevor Woolum doesn't think he had a very good game, Friday. He had just one reception, after all.
But oh, what a reception it was.
Woolum was on the scoring end of a 6-yard touchdown strike with 8.5 seconds left, completing a stunning comeback and catapulting Class 5A No. 8 Michigan City to an improbable, exhilarating, logic-defying 21-17 victory over Valparaiso, making City 4-0 for the first time in school history.
"This is only our second win against Valpo, and it's just an honor," Woolum said, referring to City's now 2-14 record against the Vikings since the consolidation.
Woolum might have caught the game-winner, but it was senior Adam Harmon that put City in position for the comeback win. The bull-headed, ultra-fast Harmon had 139 yards rushing - in the fourth quarter. He finished with 213 for the game, following up last week's 246 against Chesterton.
Harmon did much of his damage out of City's wildcat formation.
"Give (offensive coordinator) Eric Schreiber credit. He was up in the booth and said (Valpo) hadn't stopped (the wildcat) yet, so let's get back to it," City coach Craig Buzea said. "Our kids believe in it and they believe in their conditioning."
For most of the first half, City (4-0, 2-0 Duneland) was in control of the game. Neither team scored in a defensive stalemate of a first quarter.
But with 8:21 left in the half, City quarterback Rodney Washington hooked up with Tracy Rivera for a 28-yard touchdown to give City a 7-0 lead.
Then, everything started falling apart for City.
Valpo (1-3, 0-2 DAC) inserted speedster Michael Perkins as its quarterback, taking over for Paul Andrie who was struggling in place of normal starter Zach Livovich, who's out with an injury.
Perkins mostly ran the ball as QB, and City had a terrible time stopping it. With Perkins' help, Valpo tied the game at 5:17 with an Andrie 1-yard quarterback sneak.
But Valpo wasn't done. City went three-and-out on its next possession and surrendered a 46-yard punt return to the Valpo 10-yard line from Eric Thompson. On the next play, Perkins scored from 10 yards and just like that, Valpo led 14-7.
"They were just running the ball down our throats and we couldn't stop them," Harmon said. "Our defense had to step up."
But the second-quarter horror wasn't over yet. City once again stalled offensively, and Valpo got the ball back again. After an ill-timed personal foul on City, Valpo was able to get a 37-yard field goal out of Sam Ficken to give Valpo a 17-7 lead and all the momentum heading to the second half.
"I just knew we needed to get to halftime to make some adjustments," Buzea said of the Perkins wrinkle to Valpo's offense. "We run it, too, but not usually against our first-team defense in practice."
Harmon worried that the scene was all too familiar.
"What's running through my head is, 'Is this happening again?'", Harmon said.
In the second half, City did have more luck slowing down Perkins and the Vikings, but the offense wasn't doing much and Valpo was moving the ball, taking precious seconds off the clock.
The third quarter ended with City still down 10, and things were looking grim.
It got worse when Valpo went on the move early in the fourth and threatened to score. But penalties - the Vikings had 11 of them for 90 yards - drove the Vikings out of field goal range, giving City some hope.
The Wolves drove from the 20 up to their own 35-yard line, then brought in Harmon in the wildcat formation.
Harmon took a snap and gutted out 17 yards to just past midfield.
Next play: Same formation, bigger result. Harmon got into space, turned the corner and rumbled 48 yards to paydirt in front of his team's sideline and a raucous visiting crowd, drawing City to within three at 17-14.
City still needed a defensive stand, and got one. The Vikings went three-and-out and City got the ball back with just more than seven minutes to play.
Again, City turned to Harmon after taking over at its own 38-yard line. The senior didn't disappoint. Play after play, Harmon drove City downfield.
First it was 9 yards, then 4 and another 7. Next it was a 21-yard scamper, followed by eight more and 6 yards on two carries after that. After a couple more short runs, City was knocking on the door inside the 5.
Harmon's final carry was on fourth-and-inches from the Valpo 6, and Harmon picked up three yards to set up the game-winning heroics.
A false start penalty put City in a bind at second-and-goal from the 6. The first play was a playaction pass, with the game-winner slipping through Tyree Wright's hands in the end zone.
On the next play, the first part of the play was the same, playaction, Washington rolls right and Wright goes that way, too.
But this time Woolum ran a crossing route to the left side of the end zone, where he found himself wide open. Washington delivered a strike to set off the celebration.
"I'm just thinking, 'You gotta hold on,'" Woolum said. "In the moment ... I'm just thinking, 'Get the ball, get the ball.'"
Buzea added, "That's a play that just keeps working and working for me in 20-plus years. I was afraid to call it because Hoffy (Valpo coach Mark Hoffman) has seen it so many times."
Now, City's all set up for what will become the latest biggest game in program history: homecoming at Ames Field against fellow DAC frontrunner Merrillville.
Friday's win was also City's first on the road under Buzea.
"We've never taken a happy bus ride home," Buzea said. "We had an unbelievable crowd following us tonight. Just unbelievable."
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Posted by: Johnny Rush Sep 12 2009, 06:10 PM
For anyone looking to jump on the bandwagon..we have all four games up on wimsradio.com. Listen as a stream on your computer or download and take anywhere...
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 13 2009, 02:21 PM
QUOTE(Johnny Rush @ Sep 12 2009, 07:10 PM)
For anyone looking to jump on the bandwagon..we have all four games up on wimsradio.com. Listen as a stream on your computer or download and take anywhere...
Try listening on your computer, wait for it to completely download then set you windows media player to 3x speed, makes Mike and Adam sound like the fast talking Fed Ex guy and Donald Duck.
Posted by: adam78sc Sep 13 2009, 07:59 PM
So I'm really excited about this upcoming game against Merrillville. But at the same time feeling a little nervous for our Wolves taking on another 2-0 conference team in which both wins were pretty dominant. In score anyway. I think if they can win their is a very real chance we will also win the conference title this year as it would be the 3rd team we knock off that has been showing up in the polls with us. I think it will be a close game albeit I don't know much about the Pirates this year. I really hope the boys can pull it off. I will be at Ames rooting for them and I will be there early for fear of not getting a seat, lol... So, out of curiosity, how does anyone else feel about Friday's game? Think it will be close? What will the final score be? Ugh... can't wait for the game. Anyway, feel free to reply. Anyone. Thanks
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 13 2009, 09:27 PM
QUOTE(adam78sc @ Sep 13 2009, 08:59 PM)
So I'm really excited about this upcoming game against Merrillville. But at the same time feeling a little nervous for our Wolves taking on another 2-0 conference team in which both wins were pretty dominant. In score anyway. I think if they can win their is a very real chance we will also win the conference title this year as it would be the 3rd team we knock off that has been showing up in the polls with us. I think it will be a close game albeit I don't know much about the Pirates this year. I really hope the boys can pull it off. I will be at Ames rooting for them and I will be there early for fear of not getting a seat, lol... So, out of curiosity, how does anyone else feel about Friday's game? Think it will be close? What will the final score be? Ugh... can't wait for the game. Anyway, feel free to reply. Anyone. Thanks
Michigan City needs a blowout win against a quality DAC opponent like Merrillville to make this season come full circle, just pounding a bottom feeders like Lake Central just won't satisfy me, that's just what good teams are supposed to do.
Wolves definitly need to cut down on the penalties, turnovers and special team miscues to make the dream of winning the DAC a reality.
Merrillville's junior quarterback Zach Raspopovich has a good arm and they like to run their tailback Denzel Pierce to the outside, it's going to be a challenge for the Wolves secondary to cover and contain.
The Pirates are alot like Valpo, weak defensivly in the trenches so I expect to see the the Wolves establish the running game early and set up the pass.
What Buz should aim for is to run a balanced offense ie. 250 yards rushing and 250 yards passing, back when Buz's Portage teams in the mid 90's did that they simply imposed their will on the opposition, dictated the game and absolutly annihilated everybody. He's certainly got the players to do that now.
Watch for some special teams trickery, Portage used to "squib kick" either right and left alot following a long scoring drive, he would put his two speed guys along each sideline to go after the ball, the job of the two guys to the right and left of them (usually a couple of linebackers) was to contain the outside to prevent a big return if the recovery failed. They used to recover alot of kicks that way thus giving the offense good field position and putting an already wore down opposing defense on the field even longer and picking up a quick 14 points. It was almost criminal.
Several times he used the same strategy in executing an onside kick when kicking off to start the 2nd half or down late in the fourth qurter in a close ball game, he would have the kicker top the ball off the ground, "pop the ball up" 10 yards diagolnially downfield and have one of the outside men (usually a wide receiver) simply rush down and outleap the opposing upman for the recovery. They did that in big games against Valpo and Merrillville a few times and I recall that they were able to beat Crown Point that way late in a sectional title game once upon a time.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 14 2009, 08:26 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=25779
QUOTE
Never Seen Anything Like This
Home Cookin'
I had left the Wolves for dead. I'd seen it all before. Play tough for a while, implode for a stretch of time and go home unhappy.
In fact, for that 5 minute, 17 second stretch in the second quarter, I was mad at the Wolves. I knew they were better than they were showing.
I thought, "If they don't come out strong to start the second half, it's over."
They didn't.
But amazingly, it wasn't over. Not by a longshot.
This is my sixth year covering the Wolves full time, and I'd also been present for parts of some other seasons.
Never before have I seen anything like the past three games. To recap, there was a game-winning field goal against South Bend Washington, a comeback from being down 14-0 against Chesterton and now an incredible, 10-point, fourth-quarter comeback against Valparaiso.
Unbelievable. No other word even applies.
A couple quick notes about a couple of the Wolves' past three opponents: Washington, which scored just 10 points against City, has averaged 49.7 points per game in its other three games, all wins; and Chesterton walloped unbeaten La Porte on Friday, leading 38-0 at one point.
I have so many thoughts on this game, I can't pick just one. Here are some floating observations from the game:
• Adam Harmon is amazing. Give City's offensive line some much-deserved credit, too, but on many of those runs late Friday, Harmon was just imposing his will on the Vikings. After destroying Chesterton in the fourth quarter last week, Harmon had 139 yards on 13 carries in the fourth quarter against Valpo. He has to be the best two-way player in the conference.
• I praise coach Craig Buzea and his staff for the decision to go for the win at the end of the game. It would have been easy to just kick the field goal and go to overtime, but they wanted the win. Great call, and it worked out. But either way, it was the right decision.
• On the negative side, City's gonna have to get a little more confidence in special teams coverage. Pretty consistently the Wolves have been kicking away from the other teams' return men. When they don't, you see why they usually do. That phase of the game will have to improve.
• It's been well-documented that City's never won a Duneland Conference championship since the consolidation. But it's actually worse than that. Rogers never won one either, and Elston had just one shared Northern Indiana Conference title in 1984. One conference title in all those years of Michigan City football. City and Merrillville are tied atop the DAC at 2-0 right now, and of course meet on Homecoming on Friday at Ames Field.
• As for Homecoming, that game promises to be the hottest football ticket this town has ever seen. The crowd was huge for the Chesterton game, so I'd advise arriving early. Don't say you weren't warned.
• The play design at the end of the Valpo game was incredible. After the first throw into the end zone failed, the Wolves ran that half of the play - playaction, Rodney Washington rolls right behind flaring fullback Tyree Wright - and everyone followed Wright, leaving Trevor Woolum wide open in the left corner of the end zone. It was flawless and perfectly executed.
• Finally, and this is just a personal note, it really is a treat to be able to cover winning football in this town. I've seen so many losses and so many disappointments over the years, it really starts to beat you down.
So my advice to all of you is, soak this up. Go to the games, home and away. Support this team, because they so richly deserve it.
Don't allow yourself to regret not being a part of this at season's end. There are two home games remaining and three on the road before sectional.
It will go by fast, and something historical may be happening here. Actually, history has already been made, but I feel like more might be on the way.
Be a part of it. You'll regret it if you don't.
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Home Cookin'
I had left the Wolves for dead. I'd seen it all before. Play tough for a while, implode for a stretch of time and go home unhappy.
In fact, for that 5 minute, 17 second stretch in the second quarter, I was mad at the Wolves. I knew they were better than they were showing.
I thought, "If they don't come out strong to start the second half, it's over."
They didn't.
But amazingly, it wasn't over. Not by a longshot.
This is my sixth year covering the Wolves full time, and I'd also been present for parts of some other seasons.
Never before have I seen anything like the past three games. To recap, there was a game-winning field goal against South Bend Washington, a comeback from being down 14-0 against Chesterton and now an incredible, 10-point, fourth-quarter comeback against Valparaiso.
Unbelievable. No other word even applies.
A couple quick notes about a couple of the Wolves' past three opponents: Washington, which scored just 10 points against City, has averaged 49.7 points per game in its other three games, all wins; and Chesterton walloped unbeaten La Porte on Friday, leading 38-0 at one point.
I have so many thoughts on this game, I can't pick just one. Here are some floating observations from the game:
• Adam Harmon is amazing. Give City's offensive line some much-deserved credit, too, but on many of those runs late Friday, Harmon was just imposing his will on the Vikings. After destroying Chesterton in the fourth quarter last week, Harmon had 139 yards on 13 carries in the fourth quarter against Valpo. He has to be the best two-way player in the conference.
• I praise coach Craig Buzea and his staff for the decision to go for the win at the end of the game. It would have been easy to just kick the field goal and go to overtime, but they wanted the win. Great call, and it worked out. But either way, it was the right decision.
• On the negative side, City's gonna have to get a little more confidence in special teams coverage. Pretty consistently the Wolves have been kicking away from the other teams' return men. When they don't, you see why they usually do. That phase of the game will have to improve.
• It's been well-documented that City's never won a Duneland Conference championship since the consolidation. But it's actually worse than that. Rogers never won one either, and Elston had just one shared Northern Indiana Conference title in 1984. One conference title in all those years of Michigan City football. City and Merrillville are tied atop the DAC at 2-0 right now, and of course meet on Homecoming on Friday at Ames Field.
• As for Homecoming, that game promises to be the hottest football ticket this town has ever seen. The crowd was huge for the Chesterton game, so I'd advise arriving early. Don't say you weren't warned.
• The play design at the end of the Valpo game was incredible. After the first throw into the end zone failed, the Wolves ran that half of the play - playaction, Rodney Washington rolls right behind flaring fullback Tyree Wright - and everyone followed Wright, leaving Trevor Woolum wide open in the left corner of the end zone. It was flawless and perfectly executed.
• Finally, and this is just a personal note, it really is a treat to be able to cover winning football in this town. I've seen so many losses and so many disappointments over the years, it really starts to beat you down.
So my advice to all of you is, soak this up. Go to the games, home and away. Support this team, because they so richly deserve it.
Don't allow yourself to regret not being a part of this at season's end. There are two home games remaining and three on the road before sectional.
It will go by fast, and something historical may be happening here. Actually, history has already been made, but I feel like more might be on the way.
Be a part of it. You'll regret it if you don't.
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 14 2009, 08:28 AM
http://www.post-trib.com/sports/1764672,col-gorches-0911.article
QUOTE
Buzea deserves credit for MC turnaround
Comments
September 11, 2009
By Steve T. Gorches, Post-Tribune deputy sports editor
It may be only three weeks into the Northwest Indiana high school football season, but we're learning quite a bit with a few surprises.
At least they're surprises to some people. In the case of Michigan City's 3-0 start, I'm not surprised at all.
Ever since I started paying attention to region high school football -- that would be when I arrived at the Post-Tribune 10 years ago since I'm a Clark graduate, which means football wasn't fun to watch -- I've been impressed with Craig Buzea.
Yes, he's rubbed people the wrong way, whether it's been fellow sportswriters or school board members or parents, but he finds a way to win.
My wife and I lived across the street from Portage High School around the time Buzea arrived at the corner of U.S. 6 and Airport Road. His first two years with the Indians produced back-to-back undefeated regular seasons before losing in the postseason -- 13-1 in 1994 and 11-1 in 1995.
Trust me, it was quite loud at the Warpath, especially during those two seasons.
By the end of his tenure at Portage, Buzea had fallen out of favor with people in high places. Some thought he'd lost it. He's proving so far this year that he still has it, though he's trying to keep his Wolves flying under the radar.
"We're just a little pimple on the United States of America, trying to get a little bigger," he said in his usual colorful way.
I don't think most Michigan City fans want to envision their school as a growing pimple. But the Wolves are definitely not under the radar anymore as they head to Valparaiso tonight for Duneland contest No. 2.
Among Buzea's goals was to convince himself he still had it.
"One of the reasons why I came here in the first place was to see if I could make a difference," he said. "But the optimism has to be tempered. We're still making some of the same mistakes as last year. But give the kids credit, they're overcoming the mistakes and winning games this time."
Some parents may not have liked him in Portage, but they love him in Michigan City.
"He's building a program the right way and instilling discipline -- stuff we haven't had in Michigan City," said Vic Althoff, father of MC wide receiver Austin Althoff.
Remember, this is Michigan City football we're talking about. Since Elston and Rogers consolidated, there have only been three winning seasons in football -- 1995, the first year of the consolidation, 2000 and 2005 -- and those were only 6-5 or 7-4 efforts. Elston and Rogers weren't much better. The only conference title produced by any MC school was the Northern Indiana Conference title in 1984 when current Highland coach Ken Bye was at the helm of Elston.
Many outsiders connected with other DAC schools would ask, "How can Michigan City not be good at football with all the untapped talent there?"
Buzea was one of those outsiders asking the question.
"I had that perception at Portage," he said. "I would look at those Michigan City teams and think about how much talent had to be there. Our numbers are still not great. We're around 60 (on the roster) right now, but we're seeing better commitment this year. We've demanded more commitment."
And that leads to more wins, something Michigan City fans don't know much about.
Contact Steve T. Gorches at 648-3141 or sgorches@post-trib.com. Visit his blog at blogs.post-trib.com/gorches.
Comments
September 11, 2009
By Steve T. Gorches, Post-Tribune deputy sports editor
It may be only three weeks into the Northwest Indiana high school football season, but we're learning quite a bit with a few surprises.
At least they're surprises to some people. In the case of Michigan City's 3-0 start, I'm not surprised at all.
Ever since I started paying attention to region high school football -- that would be when I arrived at the Post-Tribune 10 years ago since I'm a Clark graduate, which means football wasn't fun to watch -- I've been impressed with Craig Buzea.
Yes, he's rubbed people the wrong way, whether it's been fellow sportswriters or school board members or parents, but he finds a way to win.
My wife and I lived across the street from Portage High School around the time Buzea arrived at the corner of U.S. 6 and Airport Road. His first two years with the Indians produced back-to-back undefeated regular seasons before losing in the postseason -- 13-1 in 1994 and 11-1 in 1995.
Trust me, it was quite loud at the Warpath, especially during those two seasons.
By the end of his tenure at Portage, Buzea had fallen out of favor with people in high places. Some thought he'd lost it. He's proving so far this year that he still has it, though he's trying to keep his Wolves flying under the radar.
"We're just a little pimple on the United States of America, trying to get a little bigger," he said in his usual colorful way.
I don't think most Michigan City fans want to envision their school as a growing pimple. But the Wolves are definitely not under the radar anymore as they head to Valparaiso tonight for Duneland contest No. 2.
Among Buzea's goals was to convince himself he still had it.
"One of the reasons why I came here in the first place was to see if I could make a difference," he said. "But the optimism has to be tempered. We're still making some of the same mistakes as last year. But give the kids credit, they're overcoming the mistakes and winning games this time."
Some parents may not have liked him in Portage, but they love him in Michigan City.
"He's building a program the right way and instilling discipline -- stuff we haven't had in Michigan City," said Vic Althoff, father of MC wide receiver Austin Althoff.
Remember, this is Michigan City football we're talking about. Since Elston and Rogers consolidated, there have only been three winning seasons in football -- 1995, the first year of the consolidation, 2000 and 2005 -- and those were only 6-5 or 7-4 efforts. Elston and Rogers weren't much better. The only conference title produced by any MC school was the Northern Indiana Conference title in 1984 when current Highland coach Ken Bye was at the helm of Elston.
Many outsiders connected with other DAC schools would ask, "How can Michigan City not be good at football with all the untapped talent there?"
Buzea was one of those outsiders asking the question.
"I had that perception at Portage," he said. "I would look at those Michigan City teams and think about how much talent had to be there. Our numbers are still not great. We're around 60 (on the roster) right now, but we're seeing better commitment this year. We've demanded more commitment."
And that leads to more wins, something Michigan City fans don't know much about.
Contact Steve T. Gorches at 648-3141 or sgorches@post-trib.com. Visit his blog at blogs.post-trib.com/gorches.
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 14 2009, 11:05 AM
QUOTE
This is great, first kicked a walk off field goal to beat Washington, down 14 and came back to beat Chesterton last week, down 10 and came back to beat Valpo last night, now let's destroy Merrillville. That's the sign of a champion.
QUOTE
Never before have I seen anything like the past three games. To recap, there was a game-winning field goal against South Bend Washington, a comeback from being down 14-0 against Chesterton and now an incredible, 10-point, fourth-quarter comeback against Valparaiso.
Plagiarist, I like the bulleted article structure, what an original thought.
You should consider doing a feature article on MCHS's past backfield talent I mentioned, that would fun reading.
Posted by: citycheercoach Sep 14 2009, 02:14 PM
Where are the polls? I want to know what we are ranked now! I have been checking all day...I am slightly obsessed!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 14 2009, 02:17 PM
QUOTE(citycheercoach @ Sep 14 2009, 03:14 PM)
Where are the polls? I want to know what we are ranked now! I have been checking all day...I am slightly obsessed!
I have been checking the wires all day. They haven't been posted anywhere that I have seen, or I would have them up already. I am anxious as well!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 14 2009, 02:21 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=25783
QUOTE
DAC Might Just Be The One To Beat
Money On Mondays
Nick Dettmann
The News-Dispatch
Don't you just love Duneland Athletic Conference football?
Well, you should.
This year is headed to be one of the most difficult conferences to win in the state. Bar none. Not just one team can win it. From top to bottom, any of the eight teams could win it, thus creating a playoff atmosphere from this point on until we get to sectionals.
Congratulations Michigan City for a hard-fought exciting victory, and for improving to 4-0 for the first time in school history. If you haven't gotten a chance to catch these Wolves in action, you better get there this Friday night when they host Merrillville.
Last year, the Wolves lost on a last-second field goal. Thankfully was last year. These Wolves are better.
After a rough loss to City last week, the Trojans bounced back in a big way against maybe the surprise team of the DAC - the La Porte Slicers. I say surprise team because the Slicers, known for being a running team with Carlton Austin carrying the load, wanted to pass the ball more and be a more balanced offense. There were some curiosities to how they would respond. Instead, they got a good ground game to go with it - until Friday against Chesterton.
The Trojans' defense returned to form, shutting down the Slicers' offensive attack to only 260 yards of offense and 14 points. The Slicers were averaging almost 40 points through the first three games - all victories. The Trojans held a 38-0 lead in the fourth quarter until the backups came in for Chesterton.
Portage and Crown Point may not be as strong of contenders as Merrillville, City, La Porte and Chesterton, but they are good enough to be trouble-makers for those teams. Maybe even squeeze one or two victories out, and really create a log jam atop the DAC.
Well, we kind of have that already with City and Merrillville each at 2-0, and four teams at 1-1 (Chesterton, La Porte, Portage and Crown Point).
Obviously Chesterton already has the edge on La Porte, and Portage plays Crown Point next week. But if City loses next week, things could get very hairy in the DAC.
Chesterton has Valparaiso this week, then is at Portage the following week.
Lake Central and, surprisingly, Valparaiso, is 0-2. The Vikings are down their starting quarterback, but many believe their skill players are some of the best in the conference. The backfield especially.
Is this fun or what?
Contact sports writer Nick Dettmann at ndettmann@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 447.
Money On Mondays
Nick Dettmann
The News-Dispatch
Don't you just love Duneland Athletic Conference football?
Well, you should.
This year is headed to be one of the most difficult conferences to win in the state. Bar none. Not just one team can win it. From top to bottom, any of the eight teams could win it, thus creating a playoff atmosphere from this point on until we get to sectionals.
Congratulations Michigan City for a hard-fought exciting victory, and for improving to 4-0 for the first time in school history. If you haven't gotten a chance to catch these Wolves in action, you better get there this Friday night when they host Merrillville.
Last year, the Wolves lost on a last-second field goal. Thankfully was last year. These Wolves are better.
After a rough loss to City last week, the Trojans bounced back in a big way against maybe the surprise team of the DAC - the La Porte Slicers. I say surprise team because the Slicers, known for being a running team with Carlton Austin carrying the load, wanted to pass the ball more and be a more balanced offense. There were some curiosities to how they would respond. Instead, they got a good ground game to go with it - until Friday against Chesterton.
The Trojans' defense returned to form, shutting down the Slicers' offensive attack to only 260 yards of offense and 14 points. The Slicers were averaging almost 40 points through the first three games - all victories. The Trojans held a 38-0 lead in the fourth quarter until the backups came in for Chesterton.
Portage and Crown Point may not be as strong of contenders as Merrillville, City, La Porte and Chesterton, but they are good enough to be trouble-makers for those teams. Maybe even squeeze one or two victories out, and really create a log jam atop the DAC.
Well, we kind of have that already with City and Merrillville each at 2-0, and four teams at 1-1 (Chesterton, La Porte, Portage and Crown Point).
Obviously Chesterton already has the edge on La Porte, and Portage plays Crown Point next week. But if City loses next week, things could get very hairy in the DAC.
Chesterton has Valparaiso this week, then is at Portage the following week.
Lake Central and, surprisingly, Valparaiso, is 0-2. The Vikings are down their starting quarterback, but many believe their skill players are some of the best in the conference. The backfield especially.
Is this fun or what?
Contact sports writer Nick Dettmann at ndettmann@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 447.
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 14 2009, 03:05 PM
Does anybody have any info of a pre-sale of tickets to the general public for Friday homecoming nights game? we don't want to stand in line at Ames Friday night.
Posted by: Ang Sep 14 2009, 05:17 PM
To my knowledge, they don't pre-sell event tickets except when City hosts sectional/regional tournaments. There are no pre-sells for regular season games.
Sorry Dude.
Posted by: CaddyRich Sep 14 2009, 05:28 PM
QUOTE(taxthedeer @ Sep 14 2009, 04:05 PM)
Does anybody have any info of a pre-sale of tickets to the general public for Friday homecoming nights game? we don't want to stand in line at Ames Friday night.
"We don't want to stand in line at Ames"? How things have changed, LOL. When I was there people came disguised as empty seats! Keep winning, boys...soon we'll have a Will Call window and skyboxes!
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 14 2009, 05:49 PM
QUOTE(CaddyRich @ Sep 14 2009, 06:28 PM)
Keep winning, boys...soon we'll have a Will Call window and skyboxes!
Heck why not, don't they already have an elevator going up to the pressbox?
Posted by: lovethiscity Sep 14 2009, 10:00 PM
Going to the games made me miss the SSider broadcasts on WIMS. Is it true he said "HOLY CRAP" after the game winning touchdown Friday night?
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 15 2009, 06:23 AM
QUOTE(lovethiscity @ Sep 14 2009, 11:00 PM)
Going to the games made me miss the SSider broadcasts on WIMS. Is it true he said "HOLY CRAP" after the game winning touchdown Friday night?
Take the headset with you! Anyways, it was Parky that let loose with the holy crap... I just screamed like a girl.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 15 2009, 06:37 AM
Wolves stay at #8 in the coaches poll, move up a spot to #15 in the AP poll
QUOTE
HOW INDIANA'S CLASS 5A TOP TEN FARED
COACHES' POLL
1. Penn (4-0)
defeated Toledo Central Catholic (Ohio), 17-7
at South Bend Clay (1-3) Friday
2. Carmel (3-1)
defeated Terre Haute South, 55-7
vs. Lawrence North (2-2) Friday
3. Warren Central (3-1)
defeated Ben Davis, 23-17, overtime
vs. North Central (Indianapolis) (1-3) Friday
4. Ben Davis (2-2)
lost to Warren Central, 23-17, overtime
at Terre Haute North (3-1) Friday
5. Columbus East (4-0)
defeated Jennings County, 49-14
vs. New Albany (0-4) Friday
6. Center Grove (3-1)
defeated Terre Haute North, 59-31
at Terre Haute South (1-3) Friday
7. Fishers (4-0)
defeated Avon, 24-23, overtime
vs. Harrison (West Lafayette) (1-3) Friday
8. Michigan City (4-0)
defeated Valparaiso, 21-17
vs. Merrillville (3-1) Friday
9. Munster (4-0)
defeated Andrean, 19-14
at Hammond Morton (3-1) Friday
10. Fort Wayne Snider (3-1)
defeated Fort Wayne Elmhurst, 52-19
at Fort Wayne Concordia (1-3) Friday
11. Pike (3-1)
defeated Lawrence Central, 35-32
at Bloomington North (3-1) Friday
12. Mishawaka (4-0)
defeated South Bend Riley, 29-7
at Davison (Mich.) Saturday
13. Hamilton Southeastern (3-1)
defeated Zionsville, 15-7
at Lafayette Jeff (0-4) Friday
13. Merrillville (3-1)
defeated Portage, 49-27
at Michigan City (4-0) Friday
15. Homestead (4-0)
defeated Columbia City, 56-0
at Bellmont (4-0) Friday
15. Floyd Central (4-0)
defeated Seymour, 37-10
at Jeffersonville (2-2) Friday
17. Columbus North (3-1)
defeated Franklin Central, 27-20
vs. Lawrence Central (2-2) Friday
18. Chesterton (3-1)
defeated LaPorte, 38-14
vs. Valparaiso (1-3) Friday
COACHES' POLL
1. Penn (4-0)
defeated Toledo Central Catholic (Ohio), 17-7
at South Bend Clay (1-3) Friday
2. Carmel (3-1)
defeated Terre Haute South, 55-7
vs. Lawrence North (2-2) Friday
3. Warren Central (3-1)
defeated Ben Davis, 23-17, overtime
vs. North Central (Indianapolis) (1-3) Friday
4. Ben Davis (2-2)
lost to Warren Central, 23-17, overtime
at Terre Haute North (3-1) Friday
5. Columbus East (4-0)
defeated Jennings County, 49-14
vs. New Albany (0-4) Friday
6. Center Grove (3-1)
defeated Terre Haute North, 59-31
at Terre Haute South (1-3) Friday
7. Fishers (4-0)
defeated Avon, 24-23, overtime
vs. Harrison (West Lafayette) (1-3) Friday
8. Michigan City (4-0)
defeated Valparaiso, 21-17
vs. Merrillville (3-1) Friday
9. Munster (4-0)
defeated Andrean, 19-14
at Hammond Morton (3-1) Friday
10. Fort Wayne Snider (3-1)
defeated Fort Wayne Elmhurst, 52-19
at Fort Wayne Concordia (1-3) Friday
11. Pike (3-1)
defeated Lawrence Central, 35-32
at Bloomington North (3-1) Friday
12. Mishawaka (4-0)
defeated South Bend Riley, 29-7
at Davison (Mich.) Saturday
13. Hamilton Southeastern (3-1)
defeated Zionsville, 15-7
at Lafayette Jeff (0-4) Friday
13. Merrillville (3-1)
defeated Portage, 49-27
at Michigan City (4-0) Friday
15. Homestead (4-0)
defeated Columbia City, 56-0
at Bellmont (4-0) Friday
15. Floyd Central (4-0)
defeated Seymour, 37-10
at Jeffersonville (2-2) Friday
17. Columbus North (3-1)
defeated Franklin Central, 27-20
vs. Lawrence Central (2-2) Friday
18. Chesterton (3-1)
defeated LaPorte, 38-14
vs. Valparaiso (1-3) Friday
QUOTE
ASSOCIATED PRESS
1. Penn (4-0)
defeated Toledo Central Catholic (Ohio), 17-7
at South Bend Clay (1-3) Friday
2. Carmel (3-1)
defeated Terre Haute South, 55-7
vs. Lawrence North (2-2) Friday
3. Center Grove (3-1)
defeated Terre Haute North, 59-31
at Terre Haute South (1-3) Friday
4. Warren Central (3-1)
defeated Ben Davis, 23-17, overtime
vs. North Central (Indianapolis) (1-3) Friday
5. Columbus East (4-0)
defeated Jennings County, 49-14
vs. New Albany (0-4) Friday
6. Kokomo (4-0)
defeated Anderson, 69-6
at Muncie Central (2-2) Friday
7. Ben Davis (2-2)
lost to Warren Central, 23-17, overtime
at Terre Haute North (3-1) Friday
8. Fishers (4-0)
defeated Avon, 24-23, overtime
vs. Harrison (West Lafayette) (1-3) Friday
9. Columbus North (3-1)
defeated Franklin Central, 27-20
vs. Lawrence Central (2-2) Friday
10. Fort Wayne Snider (3-1)
defeated Fort Wayne Elmhurst, 52-19
at Fort Wayne Concordia (1-3) Friday
11. Homestead (4-0)
defeated Columbia City, 56-0
at Bellmont (4-0) Friday
12. Pike (3-1)
defeated Lawrence Central, 35-32
at Bloomington North (3-1) Friday
13. Hamilton Southeastern (3-1)
defeated Zionsville, 15-7
at Lafayette Jeff (0-4) Friday
14. Mishawaka (4-0)
defeated South Bend Riley, 29-7
at Davison (Mich.) Saturday
15. Michigan City (4-0)
defeated Valparaiso, 21-17
vs. Merrillville (3-1) Friday
16. Merrillville (3-1)
defeated Portage, 49-27
at Michigan City (4-0) Friday
16. Munster (4-0)
defeated Andrean, 19-14
at Hammond Morton (3-1) Friday
16. Floyd Central (4-0)
defeated Seymour, 37-10
at Jeffersonville (2-2) Friday
16. Chesterton (3-1)
defeated LaPorte, 38-14
vs. Valparaiso (1-3) Friday
20. Castle (3-1)
defeated Evansville North, 24-0
vs. Evansville Reitz (4-0) Friday
20. Lawrence North (2-2)
defeated North Central (Indianapolis), 21-7
at Carmel (3-1) Friday
20. Zionsville (3-1)
lost to Hamilton Southeastern, 15-7
at Westfield (2-2) Friday
1. Penn (4-0)
defeated Toledo Central Catholic (Ohio), 17-7
at South Bend Clay (1-3) Friday
2. Carmel (3-1)
defeated Terre Haute South, 55-7
vs. Lawrence North (2-2) Friday
3. Center Grove (3-1)
defeated Terre Haute North, 59-31
at Terre Haute South (1-3) Friday
4. Warren Central (3-1)
defeated Ben Davis, 23-17, overtime
vs. North Central (Indianapolis) (1-3) Friday
5. Columbus East (4-0)
defeated Jennings County, 49-14
vs. New Albany (0-4) Friday
6. Kokomo (4-0)
defeated Anderson, 69-6
at Muncie Central (2-2) Friday
7. Ben Davis (2-2)
lost to Warren Central, 23-17, overtime
at Terre Haute North (3-1) Friday
8. Fishers (4-0)
defeated Avon, 24-23, overtime
vs. Harrison (West Lafayette) (1-3) Friday
9. Columbus North (3-1)
defeated Franklin Central, 27-20
vs. Lawrence Central (2-2) Friday
10. Fort Wayne Snider (3-1)
defeated Fort Wayne Elmhurst, 52-19
at Fort Wayne Concordia (1-3) Friday
11. Homestead (4-0)
defeated Columbia City, 56-0
at Bellmont (4-0) Friday
12. Pike (3-1)
defeated Lawrence Central, 35-32
at Bloomington North (3-1) Friday
13. Hamilton Southeastern (3-1)
defeated Zionsville, 15-7
at Lafayette Jeff (0-4) Friday
14. Mishawaka (4-0)
defeated South Bend Riley, 29-7
at Davison (Mich.) Saturday
15. Michigan City (4-0)
defeated Valparaiso, 21-17
vs. Merrillville (3-1) Friday
16. Merrillville (3-1)
defeated Portage, 49-27
at Michigan City (4-0) Friday
16. Munster (4-0)
defeated Andrean, 19-14
at Hammond Morton (3-1) Friday
16. Floyd Central (4-0)
defeated Seymour, 37-10
at Jeffersonville (2-2) Friday
16. Chesterton (3-1)
defeated LaPorte, 38-14
vs. Valparaiso (1-3) Friday
20. Castle (3-1)
defeated Evansville North, 24-0
vs. Evansville Reitz (4-0) Friday
20. Lawrence North (2-2)
defeated North Central (Indianapolis), 21-7
at Carmel (3-1) Friday
20. Zionsville (3-1)
lost to Hamilton Southeastern, 15-7
at Westfield (2-2) Friday
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 15 2009, 07:45 AM
I really get the feeling that this game is going to be completely filled. I wonder if they have the ability to have standing room only, or more seats somehow? I am going to try to find out.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 15 2009, 08:05 AM
Eh, for some reason the interim Superintendent's email has been disabled. I am trying to follow up on it.
Posted by: Ang Sep 15 2009, 09:35 AM
Ask Bear. It's rfalls@..... or Debbie Bye which is dbye@....
I'll be at Homecoming!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 15 2009, 09:41 AM
As it turns out, I am a moron. Because they have the email addresses spam protected, you have to type them out yourself. If you copy and paste them, they reverse to prevent crawlers. I reversed the US and IN parts. Anyway, I do have an email in.
Posted by: Ang Sep 15 2009, 09:45 AM
People could sit on the visitor's side as well. The M'ville people can stand.
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 15 2009, 12:41 PM
QUOTE
"We're just a little pimple on the United States of America, trying to get a little bigger," he said in his usual colorful way.
Somebody should tell Buz that if any of the boys on the team are having an acne problem they should see a dermatologist before it gets worse.
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 15 2009, 01:08 PM
I just heard Michael Little report on WEFM that tickets for Friday's football game will be on sale to the general public at tonights volleyball game and during the school day at the High School athletic office the rest of the week. Kudos Bear Falls for doing this.
Posted by: MC Born & Raised Sep 15 2009, 03:01 PM
QUOTE(taxthedeer @ Sep 15 2009, 02:08 PM)
I just heard Michael Little report on WEFM that tickets for Friday's football game will be on sale to the general public at tonights volleyball game and during the school day at the High School athletic office the rest of the week. Kudos Bear Falls for doing this.
In addition, I'm told they're looking into moving additional temporary seating into the stadium, likely behind the end zones.
On an aside, isn't it amazing that the school is expecting such a large crowd for a FOOTBALL game that they're looking into bringing in temporary seating? Unbelievable.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 15 2009, 03:12 PM
QUOTE(MC Born & Raised @ Sep 15 2009, 04:01 PM)
In addition, I'm told they're looking into moving additional temporary seating into the stadium, likely behind the end zones.
On an aside, isn't it amazing that the school is expecting such a large crowd for a FOOTBALL game that they're looking into bringing in temporary seating? Unbelievable.
I got a confirmation a little while back from Carla Iacona that they are indeed looking to add more capacity. The rumored number they are trying to prepare for is huge. If it is true, they will have more people at this football game than has EVER been to a basketball game in Michigan City history (keep in mind Rogers gym had crowds over over 8000).
Get to the Homecoming parade, and get up to the field early!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 15 2009, 08:38 PM
Word around the high school is to come in White Out attire!
Posted by: citycheercoach Sep 15 2009, 08:49 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Sep 15 2009, 04:12 PM)
I got a confirmation a little while back from Carla Iacona that they are indeed looking to add more capacity. The rumored number they are trying to prepare for is huge. If it is true, they will have more people at this football game than has EVER been to a basketball game in Michigan City history (keep in mind Rogers gym had crowds over over 8000).
Get to the Homecoming parade, and get up to the field early!
I am getting the chills thinking about it! My cheerleaders are gonna be so excited when I tell them about it! It's gonna be crazy!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 15 2009, 09:11 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Sep 15 2009, 04:12 PM)
I got a confirmation a little while back from Carla Iacona that they are indeed looking to add more capacity. The rumored number they are trying to prepare for is huge. If it is true, they will have more people at this football game than has EVER been to a basketball game in Michigan City history (keep in mind Rogers gym had crowds over over 8000).
Get to the Homecoming parade, and get up to the field early!
I went ahead and got an email in to AD Falls for anymore details I can get about crowds and accomidations for Friday night. I will pass on any other info I get.
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 15 2009, 09:27 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Sep 15 2009, 04:12 PM)
Get to the Homecoming parade, and get up to the field early!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 16 2009, 06:20 AM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Sep 15 2009, 10:11 PM)
I went ahead and got an email in to AD Falls for anymore details I can get about crowds and accomidations for Friday night. I will pass on any other info I get.
The official word from Falls is as follows...
QUOTE
Tickets are on sale in the Athletic Office from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Fan should come early Gates will open at 5:45. We are expecting a very large crowd.
Posted by: lovethiscity Sep 16 2009, 06:25 AM
QUOTE(Ang @ Sep 15 2009, 10:35 AM)
Ask Bear. It's rfalls@..... or Debbie Bye which is dbye@....
I'll be at Homecoming!
SSider is my homecoming date. Hey, Michael does that meen I get to sit in the press box?
Posted by: Ang Sep 16 2009, 06:50 AM
QUOTE(lovethiscity @ Sep 16 2009, 07:25 AM)
SSider is my homecoming date. Hey, Michael does that meen I get to sit in the press box?
Mike & Mike
What a scary thought!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 16 2009, 06:57 AM
QUOTE(lovethiscity @ Sep 16 2009, 07:25 AM)
SSider is my homecoming date. Hey, Michael does that meen I get to sit in the press box?
If you can be quiet. There is only room for one screamer on the air
Posted by: MC Born & Raised Sep 16 2009, 02:48 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Sep 16 2009, 07:57 AM)
If you can be quiet. There is only room for one screamer on the air
Hey, hey ... it's a family show.
Posted by: lovethiscity Sep 16 2009, 05:43 PM
QUOTE(MC Born & Raised @ Sep 16 2009, 03:48 PM)
Hey, hey ... it's a family show.
This is coming from the guy that screamed "HOLY CRAP" on the air?
Posted by: MC Born & Raised Sep 16 2009, 08:22 PM
QUOTE(lovethiscity @ Sep 16 2009, 06:43 PM)
This is coming from the guy that screamed "HOLY CRAP" on the air?
Precisely!
Posted by: lovethiscity Sep 17 2009, 06:00 AM
QUOTE(MC Born & Raised @ Sep 16 2009, 09:22 PM)
Precisely!
good job, I wish I heard it. You and Mike need to do a post game show we can listen to on our way home from the game.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 17 2009, 06:29 AM
Parky has to leave right away after the game to get down to the lockerroom to fulfill his ND obligations. Its near impossible to do a post game show alone on location. I do some, but without statistics and the like, there isn't much to say.
Posted by: citycheercoach Sep 17 2009, 07:11 AM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Sep 15 2009, 09:38 PM)
Word around the high school is to come in White Out attire!
The word has spread even further... My mother-in-law just asked me if I had heard about the
"white out". So, it is getting around and it is gonna be pretty impressive if we can get the adult fans to participate.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 17 2009, 07:12 AM
QUOTE(citycheercoach @ Sep 17 2009, 08:11 AM)
The word has spread even further... My mother-in-law just asked me if I had heard about the
"white out". So, it is getting around and it is gonna be pretty impressive if we can get the adult fans to participate.
I'm doing my part! I am sure if we can hit the radio stations, it will get done pretty well.
Posted by: digger262 Sep 17 2009, 11:53 AM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Sep 17 2009, 09:12 AM)
I'm doing my part! I am sure if we can hit the radio stations, it will get done pretty well.
This would be a great opportunity for a fundraiser for one of the school clubs/teams. Go to Wal-Mart and Meijer and buy up all the plain white t-shirts and sell them at the entrance to the game.
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 17 2009, 03:23 PM
Weather forecast for tomorrow and Saturday is georgeous, just like it's been all this week. Supposed to rain on Sunday, eveybody get out and enjoy your freedom the weekend!!!
Posted by: mcstumper Sep 17 2009, 08:12 PM
So advance tickets can be purchased at the Athletic Office? Where is that? At the school or at one of the administration buildings?
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 17 2009, 09:09 PM
QUOTE(mcstumper @ Sep 17 2009, 09:12 PM)
So advance tickets can be purchased at the Athletic Office? Where is that? At the school or at one of the administration buildings?
At MCHS.
Posted by: citycheercoach Sep 17 2009, 09:28 PM
I was at the MC volley ball game tonight and I witnessed them moving bleachers from the softball and baseball fields out and taking them to Ames. Talked to assistant athletic directors and they are planning for 10,000 fans!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 18 2009, 07:01 AM
TODAY IS THE BIG DAY!!!
Remember, booster club dinner down at Ames, Parade at 6pm, game at 7pm, Homecoming Queen and Spirit Stick awarded at half time!
Posted by: Ang Sep 18 2009, 08:03 AM
contrary to rumor, the tickets are NOT sold out. I called the high school this morning. If you want advance tickets go to the gym
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 18 2009, 08:35 AM
We could be looking at the biggest single day gathering for an event in Michigan City since President Clinton got off campaign the train and spoke in Washington Park before stepping onto Marine 1 to fly off to the Democratic convention in Chicago. (maybe the recent boat race drew more but that was over a three day period.)
Posted by: adam78sc Sep 18 2009, 10:57 AM
QUOTE(citycheercoach @ Sep 17 2009, 10:28 PM)
I was at the MC volley ball game tonight and I witnessed them moving bleachers from the softball and baseball fields out and taking them to Ames. Talked to assistant athletic directors and they are planning for 10,000 fans!
10,000!!?? wow. well im speechless. lol... i cant get up there till the wife gets off work at 6. hope we can get a decent seat or at least a parking spot... lol... wonder if they are planning anything as far as parking is concerned. extra parking spots. wonder what the record is for most there. prob be broke tonight
Posted by: adam78sc Sep 18 2009, 11:03 AM
now that i think of it, being both are undefeated conference teams, merrillville is prob going to be bringin the convoy into town which would reflect such a large expected turnout. we got to win this game
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 18 2009, 11:53 AM
QUOTE(adam78sc @ Sep 18 2009, 11:57 AM)
10,000!!?? wow. well im speechless. lol... i cant get up there till the wife gets off work at 6. hope we can get a decent seat or at least a parking spot... lol... wonder if they are planning anything as far as parking is concerned. extra parking spots. wonder what the record is for most there. prob be broke tonight
I'm parking at my lady friends house on Hendricks and riding my bicycle to and from Ames.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 18 2009, 01:01 PM
QUOTE(taxthedeer @ Sep 18 2009, 09:35 AM)
We could be looking at the biggest single day gathering for an event in Michigan City since President Clinton got off campaign the train and spoke in Washington Park before stepping onto Marine 1 to fly off to the Democratic convention in Chicago. (maybe the recent boat race drew more but that was over a three day period.)
Without a doubt there hasn't been a larger crowd here since then. It will also be the single biggest crowd for an athletic event EVER in Michigan City.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 18 2009, 01:19 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=25864
QUOTE
Buzea: 'I Urge All People To Come Out'
Football: Week 5 Preview
Adam Parkhouse and Nick Dettmann
Staff Writers
It promises to be the biggest, loudest, rowdiest atmosphere of the season.
The question is, will the game match the hype? All that's left now is to answer that question.
Michigan City, ranked No. 8 in the state coaches poll, hosts Merrillville at 7 tonight at Ames Field for the lead in the Duneland Conference.
And just like every week so far, City takes a step up in competition from the previous week.
"They're probably a good two or three touchdowns better than any team we've played," City coach Craig Buzea said. "We've gotta go up again in terms of intensity and execution."
City's riding high after last week's fourth-quarter comeback victory at Valparaiso. Tonight is Homecoming, and the community couldn't be more amped. Temporary seating has been brought in to accommodate the extra fans expected to attend.
"There's a reason why you play home games and you want to ride the wave of the home-field advantage," Buzea said. "But it can be small if you don't give them something to cheer about.
"I urge all the people to come out and be our 12th man."
In its unprecedented 4-0 start to the season, City's had plenty of good things going for it. First, the defense has been incredibly stingy, allowing just 48 points in four games. Of those points, seven were as the result of a defensive return for a score and seven more came after a long special teams return.
"It's a group that we did make some changes position-wise so we had the ability to play with some teams like South Bend Washington and Merrillville," Buzea said. "It doesn't take a genius to know if you want to win the DAC you have to have some speed on defense.
"It helped us in the South Bend game and Valpo game, and we're gonna have to step it up again for us (tonight) because (Merrillville) will throw more speed at you than you can imagine."
Also, City's running game has been terrific, especially in the last two weeks. Senior Adam Harmon has gained nearly 500 yards in the last two wins, with more than half of that total coming in the fourth quarter.
"It's a credit to our guys ... it starts up front," Buzea said. "We work that type of stuff at the end of practice to get in the mindset that, "OK, you're tired, but this is where you've gotta execute.'"
If City's had a weakness, it's been special teams coverage. While kicker Dustin Rivich has a strong leg, according to Buzea, he tends to kick line drives on kickoffs which can be fatal if the coverage doesn't catch up.
"It's a huge concern," Buzea said. "We've gotta sell to the kids the game is one-third special teams, one-third offense and one-third defense."
Merrillville's led by junior quarterback Zach Raspopovich and running back Denzel Pierce. But perhaps the biggest threat, Buzea said, is a deep receiving corps that features five legitimate threats in the passing game.
"That's what separates them ... they just have so many different weapons," Buzea said.
If the Pirates' skill players separate them from the pack, then Buzea believes his team's conditioning has set the Wolves apart from their competition.
"Our kids do believe they are in tremendous physical shape, there's no question about that," Buzea said, "because of what they've been through and what we put them through in the summer.
"Our kids look pretty fresh coming down the stretch and our opponents have looked worn down."
Adam's pick: City, 24-21; Nick's pick: City, 28-27.
Lake Central (1-3, 0-2 DAC) at La Porte (3-1, 1-1), 7 tonight
The Slicers look to bounce back from a 38-14 trouncing by Chesterton last week. Meanwhile, the Indians are coming off a 23-21 loss to Crown Point.
The game can be heard on 96.7 FM.
Since Lake Central joined the Duneland Conference, the Slicers have controlled the series, winning five of the six meetings.
The Slicers will also hope to get its ground game going again. Last week, Nick Latchford rushed for 43 yards after averaging more than 160 in the previous three games. The junior is still among state leaders, averaging 132 yards per game.
Adam's pick: La Porte, 34-13; Nick's pick: La Porte 35-14.
Valparaiso (1-3, 0-2) at Chesterton (3-1, 1-1), 7 tonight
Last year, these two teams played two of the most emotionally charged football games in the region.
The Vikings are certainly on the prowl for revenge tonight. Valparaiso went 9-2 last year - both losses were to Chesterton on the Vikings' home field. The emotion tonight won't match that of last year's meetings, but this is still a rivalry, and should be a good one.
The Trojans bounced back after getting what they call embarrassed against Michigan City on Sept. 4, with a dominating victory last week over La Porte, allowing just 260 yards of total offense. In the loss to City, the Trojans allowed more than 500 yards of offense.
The Vikings have won 12 of the past 19 meetings in this series, but Chesterton has won three of the past four, and the road team has won three straight.
Adam's pick: Chesterton, 31-20; Nick's pick: Chesterton, 28-10.
New Prairie (2-2, 2-0 NSC) at Jimtown (4-0, 3-0), 6:30 tonight
As conference games tend to be in high school football, each week is a bigger game than the previous. Tonight at Jimtown is no different.
The top two teams of the NSC square off tonight.
There will be a number of ways to listen and even watch this game: On the Internet at www.broadcastsport.net and 106.7 FM within the stadium. It is also the WHME-TV Channel 46 Game of the Week with the replay scheduled to air at 10 tonight and 8 a.m. Saturday.
It's the 42nd meeting between the schools with Jimtown, ranked fifth in the state poll, leading the series 29-12. The Jimmies have won the past two meetings, including last season's 34-20 win at Amzie Miller Field. The Cougars last win was in 2006 when New Prairie won its last Northern State Conference crown.
New Prairie enters on the heels of a 21-12 win over Culver, while Jimtown beat Knox, 10-0, last week.
Adam's pick: Jimtown, 14-7; Nick's pick: New Prairie, 21-19.
Wheeler (4-0, 2-0 GSSC) at South Central (0-4, 0-2), 7 tonight
Trying to find the first victory of the season against the conference leaders is going to be a difficult task for the Satellites.
The Bearcats, coming off a 42-0 victory over North Newton last week, are the reigning two-time defending GSSC champions. The conference formed prior to the 2007 season. Since then, the Bearcats are 24-3 overall, but have never lost a conference game (16-0).
The Bearcats are also outscoring their opposition 189-15 so far this season, including 105-0 in the GSSC.
Wheeler has won three of the past four meetings over South Central, including 66-6 last year.
Adam's pick: Wheeler, 41-13; Nick's pick: Wheeler, 55-7.
Eau Claire (2-1, 0-1 RAC) at New Buffalo (0-3, 0-1), 6:30 tonight
The Eau Claire Beavers have won six straight meetings against the Bison, who are struggling to score. Through three games, the Bison have scored just 20 points.
The Beavers won their first two games against River Forest and Bridgman (Mich.), but are coming off a 35-12 loss to White Pigeon last week.
Cassopolis (3-0) at River Valley (1-2), 6 tonight
The former conference rivals hook-up, and it is going to be a challenge for the upstart Mustangs. They welcome Michigan's No. 8 ranked team in Division 7, the Cassopolis Rangers.
Cassopolis, which has reached the postseason in each of the past three seasons, has beaten River Valley six straight times. In those six games, the average score is 57-4.
Football: Week 5 Preview
Adam Parkhouse and Nick Dettmann
Staff Writers
It promises to be the biggest, loudest, rowdiest atmosphere of the season.
The question is, will the game match the hype? All that's left now is to answer that question.
Michigan City, ranked No. 8 in the state coaches poll, hosts Merrillville at 7 tonight at Ames Field for the lead in the Duneland Conference.
And just like every week so far, City takes a step up in competition from the previous week.
"They're probably a good two or three touchdowns better than any team we've played," City coach Craig Buzea said. "We've gotta go up again in terms of intensity and execution."
City's riding high after last week's fourth-quarter comeback victory at Valparaiso. Tonight is Homecoming, and the community couldn't be more amped. Temporary seating has been brought in to accommodate the extra fans expected to attend.
"There's a reason why you play home games and you want to ride the wave of the home-field advantage," Buzea said. "But it can be small if you don't give them something to cheer about.
"I urge all the people to come out and be our 12th man."
In its unprecedented 4-0 start to the season, City's had plenty of good things going for it. First, the defense has been incredibly stingy, allowing just 48 points in four games. Of those points, seven were as the result of a defensive return for a score and seven more came after a long special teams return.
"It's a group that we did make some changes position-wise so we had the ability to play with some teams like South Bend Washington and Merrillville," Buzea said. "It doesn't take a genius to know if you want to win the DAC you have to have some speed on defense.
"It helped us in the South Bend game and Valpo game, and we're gonna have to step it up again for us (tonight) because (Merrillville) will throw more speed at you than you can imagine."
Also, City's running game has been terrific, especially in the last two weeks. Senior Adam Harmon has gained nearly 500 yards in the last two wins, with more than half of that total coming in the fourth quarter.
"It's a credit to our guys ... it starts up front," Buzea said. "We work that type of stuff at the end of practice to get in the mindset that, "OK, you're tired, but this is where you've gotta execute.'"
If City's had a weakness, it's been special teams coverage. While kicker Dustin Rivich has a strong leg, according to Buzea, he tends to kick line drives on kickoffs which can be fatal if the coverage doesn't catch up.
"It's a huge concern," Buzea said. "We've gotta sell to the kids the game is one-third special teams, one-third offense and one-third defense."
Merrillville's led by junior quarterback Zach Raspopovich and running back Denzel Pierce. But perhaps the biggest threat, Buzea said, is a deep receiving corps that features five legitimate threats in the passing game.
"That's what separates them ... they just have so many different weapons," Buzea said.
If the Pirates' skill players separate them from the pack, then Buzea believes his team's conditioning has set the Wolves apart from their competition.
"Our kids do believe they are in tremendous physical shape, there's no question about that," Buzea said, "because of what they've been through and what we put them through in the summer.
"Our kids look pretty fresh coming down the stretch and our opponents have looked worn down."
Adam's pick: City, 24-21; Nick's pick: City, 28-27.
Lake Central (1-3, 0-2 DAC) at La Porte (3-1, 1-1), 7 tonight
The Slicers look to bounce back from a 38-14 trouncing by Chesterton last week. Meanwhile, the Indians are coming off a 23-21 loss to Crown Point.
The game can be heard on 96.7 FM.
Since Lake Central joined the Duneland Conference, the Slicers have controlled the series, winning five of the six meetings.
The Slicers will also hope to get its ground game going again. Last week, Nick Latchford rushed for 43 yards after averaging more than 160 in the previous three games. The junior is still among state leaders, averaging 132 yards per game.
Adam's pick: La Porte, 34-13; Nick's pick: La Porte 35-14.
Valparaiso (1-3, 0-2) at Chesterton (3-1, 1-1), 7 tonight
Last year, these two teams played two of the most emotionally charged football games in the region.
The Vikings are certainly on the prowl for revenge tonight. Valparaiso went 9-2 last year - both losses were to Chesterton on the Vikings' home field. The emotion tonight won't match that of last year's meetings, but this is still a rivalry, and should be a good one.
The Trojans bounced back after getting what they call embarrassed against Michigan City on Sept. 4, with a dominating victory last week over La Porte, allowing just 260 yards of total offense. In the loss to City, the Trojans allowed more than 500 yards of offense.
The Vikings have won 12 of the past 19 meetings in this series, but Chesterton has won three of the past four, and the road team has won three straight.
Adam's pick: Chesterton, 31-20; Nick's pick: Chesterton, 28-10.
New Prairie (2-2, 2-0 NSC) at Jimtown (4-0, 3-0), 6:30 tonight
As conference games tend to be in high school football, each week is a bigger game than the previous. Tonight at Jimtown is no different.
The top two teams of the NSC square off tonight.
There will be a number of ways to listen and even watch this game: On the Internet at www.broadcastsport.net and 106.7 FM within the stadium. It is also the WHME-TV Channel 46 Game of the Week with the replay scheduled to air at 10 tonight and 8 a.m. Saturday.
It's the 42nd meeting between the schools with Jimtown, ranked fifth in the state poll, leading the series 29-12. The Jimmies have won the past two meetings, including last season's 34-20 win at Amzie Miller Field. The Cougars last win was in 2006 when New Prairie won its last Northern State Conference crown.
New Prairie enters on the heels of a 21-12 win over Culver, while Jimtown beat Knox, 10-0, last week.
Adam's pick: Jimtown, 14-7; Nick's pick: New Prairie, 21-19.
Wheeler (4-0, 2-0 GSSC) at South Central (0-4, 0-2), 7 tonight
Trying to find the first victory of the season against the conference leaders is going to be a difficult task for the Satellites.
The Bearcats, coming off a 42-0 victory over North Newton last week, are the reigning two-time defending GSSC champions. The conference formed prior to the 2007 season. Since then, the Bearcats are 24-3 overall, but have never lost a conference game (16-0).
The Bearcats are also outscoring their opposition 189-15 so far this season, including 105-0 in the GSSC.
Wheeler has won three of the past four meetings over South Central, including 66-6 last year.
Adam's pick: Wheeler, 41-13; Nick's pick: Wheeler, 55-7.
Eau Claire (2-1, 0-1 RAC) at New Buffalo (0-3, 0-1), 6:30 tonight
The Eau Claire Beavers have won six straight meetings against the Bison, who are struggling to score. Through three games, the Bison have scored just 20 points.
The Beavers won their first two games against River Forest and Bridgman (Mich.), but are coming off a 35-12 loss to White Pigeon last week.
Cassopolis (3-0) at River Valley (1-2), 6 tonight
The former conference rivals hook-up, and it is going to be a challenge for the upstart Mustangs. They welcome Michigan's No. 8 ranked team in Division 7, the Cassopolis Rangers.
Cassopolis, which has reached the postseason in each of the past three seasons, has beaten River Valley six straight times. In those six games, the average score is 57-4.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 18 2009, 01:21 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=25863
QUOTE
Q & A: RODNEY WASHINGTON
City junior quarterback
Adam Parkhouse
Staff Writer
When Rodney Washington came out of middle school, he looked the part.
He was a good-sized kid with all the skills you look for in a quarterback. He appeared to be the guy who would one day be under center for the blue and gray.
He sat behind Nathan Scully for two years learning and waiting. Now, in his first year at the helm, the kid with the big arm, fast legs and bright smile has the Wolves off to the best start in school history.
"He's played pretty well," City coach Craig Buzea said. "One of the things I've seen is his maturity, not so much as a football player but as a person."
With all the tools he possesses, Washington would figure to be a good candidate to one day play on Saturdays.
"It's too early to tell, but I think with another year under his belt, I think he has the ability to play at the college level," Buzea said. "What level, that remains to be seen. But he's got the attributes everybody's looking for now."
In the following interview with The News-Dispatch's Adam Parkhouse, City's signal-caller talked about City's new turf, summer conditioning sessions and why he pines to break bread with the President of the United States.
N-D: You guys are 4-0 for the first time in school history. What's this season been like for you?
Washington: It's been, kinda like something in the summer we think, "Can we do it?" You put in the hard work and let your body know enough is never enough. We work hard so good things happen.
N-D: You've had two long touchdown runs called back on penalties so far this season. What's it like to think you scored and turn around and see that little yellow flag on the turf?
Washington: In the Chesterton game, in front of the home crowd, I get my first touchdown and think this is great. ... The second time, you've just gotta be poised. Things like that are gonna happen and you've gotta get ready to answer the call again.
N-D: What's the new turf like at Ames Field? Is it better or worse than playing on grass?
Washington: I'll say it's good and bad. Everybody likes to get dirty when they play. But when you run on turf, you feel so fast.
N-D: In the last two games, Adam Harmon has nearly 500 yards rushing and more than half that has come in the fourth quarter. What's it been like to watch him and the offensive line dominate so late in the game?
Washington: It lets you know that you don't have to do everything yourself, there are so many other people that contribute and do everything well. With us being in so good a shape, we're able to give it to our workhorse and let our linemen do what linemen do.
N-D: Coach Buzea has said you guys all believe in your conditioning. What were preseason conditioning sessions like?
Washington: Oh, man. After a three-hour morning practice, we do either stadium stairs, 110s ... it's something that, at first, you think, "Do we have to run today?" But as things went on, our strength and conditioning coach (Matt Cates) would tell us your body's not tired and we just bought into it. We just keep telling our bodies, "We're not tired, we're not tired."
N-D: If I line you up at the goalline and ask you to throw the ball as far as you can, where will it land?
Washington: I think I can probably get about 60 or 65 (yards).
N-D: The fan support in the last few weeks has been tremendous for you guys. How does it make you feel to see so many people in the stands rooting you on?
Washington: On our home games you kinda expect it, but that Valpo game ... you look in the stands and there's nowhere for people to sit. People are really buying into Michigan City being a football town. We get it done for them.
N-D: You were a receiver last year. Is it more fun to catch or throw a touchdown pass?
Washington: The fun part isn't really throwing a pass or catching it, it's about hearing the crowd go crazy. ... But I'd have to say throwing a pass.
N-D: Ryan Isaac committed to Purdue this past offseason. Does him committing to a Big Ten school give you hope that something similar can happen for you?
Washington: Yeah, just to know the people are out there to see us. As long as we come to the game and perform, good things can happen for us.
N-D: You've also played baseball and basketball at City. Which do you prefer?
Washington: Baseball, it was one of the first sports I played. The thing about baseball is you get a little more time to think about what you do. It's a fun game.
N-D: You were behind Nathan Scully on the depth chart last year, who had a pretty good senior season. What did you learn from him about being a quarterback?
Washington: Scully was one of the type of QBs who'll be on the sideline by himself just thinking about what has to be done. One thing I learned is you always have to be poised, no matter what. Everybody looks at the QB.
N-D: It's the fourth quarter at Valpo and you're down by 10 points and the Vikings are driving. What's running through your head?
Washington: It's the fourth quarter and coach tells me you don't have to win the game for us. Just run the offense and believe. Believe. I told my boys up front and told Adam, "We're not tired. It's the fourth quarter and this is where we battle." It's like a dream come true, 10 points behind at Valpo and we pull it out.
N-D: What's it going to take for you guys to beat Merrillville on Friday night?
Washington: As long as we come to play, just know that every little thing the coaches taught us, it works. Believe in the system and we'll get it done. As long as we come to play, just know that every little thing coaches taught us,it works, believe in the system and we'll get it done.
N-D: Who's your favorite athlete?
Washington: I like Kobe Bryant. One day I did a little bit of research on him, this guy works so hard that he needs two doctors to monitor him at every practice.
N-D: What's your favorite band/musical act?
Washington: My favorite artist is Lil Wayne.
N-D: What's your favorite movie?
Washington: Godfather.
N-D: What's your favorite school subject?
Washington: I like history.
N-D: If you could meet one person from history, who would it be?
Washington: I would wanna meet Barack Obama. He's the first African-American man to be President and it gives a lot of people faith that anything is possible.
City junior quarterback
Adam Parkhouse
Staff Writer
When Rodney Washington came out of middle school, he looked the part.
He was a good-sized kid with all the skills you look for in a quarterback. He appeared to be the guy who would one day be under center for the blue and gray.
He sat behind Nathan Scully for two years learning and waiting. Now, in his first year at the helm, the kid with the big arm, fast legs and bright smile has the Wolves off to the best start in school history.
"He's played pretty well," City coach Craig Buzea said. "One of the things I've seen is his maturity, not so much as a football player but as a person."
With all the tools he possesses, Washington would figure to be a good candidate to one day play on Saturdays.
"It's too early to tell, but I think with another year under his belt, I think he has the ability to play at the college level," Buzea said. "What level, that remains to be seen. But he's got the attributes everybody's looking for now."
In the following interview with The News-Dispatch's Adam Parkhouse, City's signal-caller talked about City's new turf, summer conditioning sessions and why he pines to break bread with the President of the United States.
N-D: You guys are 4-0 for the first time in school history. What's this season been like for you?
Washington: It's been, kinda like something in the summer we think, "Can we do it?" You put in the hard work and let your body know enough is never enough. We work hard so good things happen.
N-D: You've had two long touchdown runs called back on penalties so far this season. What's it like to think you scored and turn around and see that little yellow flag on the turf?
Washington: In the Chesterton game, in front of the home crowd, I get my first touchdown and think this is great. ... The second time, you've just gotta be poised. Things like that are gonna happen and you've gotta get ready to answer the call again.
N-D: What's the new turf like at Ames Field? Is it better or worse than playing on grass?
Washington: I'll say it's good and bad. Everybody likes to get dirty when they play. But when you run on turf, you feel so fast.
N-D: In the last two games, Adam Harmon has nearly 500 yards rushing and more than half that has come in the fourth quarter. What's it been like to watch him and the offensive line dominate so late in the game?
Washington: It lets you know that you don't have to do everything yourself, there are so many other people that contribute and do everything well. With us being in so good a shape, we're able to give it to our workhorse and let our linemen do what linemen do.
N-D: Coach Buzea has said you guys all believe in your conditioning. What were preseason conditioning sessions like?
Washington: Oh, man. After a three-hour morning practice, we do either stadium stairs, 110s ... it's something that, at first, you think, "Do we have to run today?" But as things went on, our strength and conditioning coach (Matt Cates) would tell us your body's not tired and we just bought into it. We just keep telling our bodies, "We're not tired, we're not tired."
N-D: If I line you up at the goalline and ask you to throw the ball as far as you can, where will it land?
Washington: I think I can probably get about 60 or 65 (yards).
N-D: The fan support in the last few weeks has been tremendous for you guys. How does it make you feel to see so many people in the stands rooting you on?
Washington: On our home games you kinda expect it, but that Valpo game ... you look in the stands and there's nowhere for people to sit. People are really buying into Michigan City being a football town. We get it done for them.
N-D: You were a receiver last year. Is it more fun to catch or throw a touchdown pass?
Washington: The fun part isn't really throwing a pass or catching it, it's about hearing the crowd go crazy. ... But I'd have to say throwing a pass.
N-D: Ryan Isaac committed to Purdue this past offseason. Does him committing to a Big Ten school give you hope that something similar can happen for you?
Washington: Yeah, just to know the people are out there to see us. As long as we come to the game and perform, good things can happen for us.
N-D: You've also played baseball and basketball at City. Which do you prefer?
Washington: Baseball, it was one of the first sports I played. The thing about baseball is you get a little more time to think about what you do. It's a fun game.
N-D: You were behind Nathan Scully on the depth chart last year, who had a pretty good senior season. What did you learn from him about being a quarterback?
Washington: Scully was one of the type of QBs who'll be on the sideline by himself just thinking about what has to be done. One thing I learned is you always have to be poised, no matter what. Everybody looks at the QB.
N-D: It's the fourth quarter at Valpo and you're down by 10 points and the Vikings are driving. What's running through your head?
Washington: It's the fourth quarter and coach tells me you don't have to win the game for us. Just run the offense and believe. Believe. I told my boys up front and told Adam, "We're not tired. It's the fourth quarter and this is where we battle." It's like a dream come true, 10 points behind at Valpo and we pull it out.
N-D: What's it going to take for you guys to beat Merrillville on Friday night?
Washington: As long as we come to play, just know that every little thing the coaches taught us, it works. Believe in the system and we'll get it done. As long as we come to play, just know that every little thing coaches taught us,it works, believe in the system and we'll get it done.
N-D: Who's your favorite athlete?
Washington: I like Kobe Bryant. One day I did a little bit of research on him, this guy works so hard that he needs two doctors to monitor him at every practice.
N-D: What's your favorite band/musical act?
Washington: My favorite artist is Lil Wayne.
N-D: What's your favorite movie?
Washington: Godfather.
N-D: What's your favorite school subject?
Washington: I like history.
N-D: If you could meet one person from history, who would it be?
Washington: I would wanna meet Barack Obama. He's the first African-American man to be President and it gives a lot of people faith that anything is possible.
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 19 2009, 12:11 AM
Has everybody finished crying in their beer yet?
Posted by: mcstumper Sep 19 2009, 01:19 PM
QUOTE(taxthedeer @ Sep 19 2009, 01:11 AM)
Has everybody finished crying in their beer yet?
Almost. Merrillville has a well coached team. They also have a powerful pass rush, linebackers that are fast, know their assignments, and could fight through blocks. But with all that, it was penalties and special teams play that did the Wolves in.
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 19 2009, 02:07 PM
QUOTE(mcstumper @ Sep 19 2009, 02:19 PM)
Almost. Merrillville has a well coached team. They also have a powerful pass rush, linebackers that are fast, know their assignments, and could fight through blocks. But with all that, it was penalties and special teams play that did the Wolves in.
When are we getting Prybylla back? How's Rodney doing? It looks like a new student MC Wolf mascot costume was unvailed last night, What did they do with the old one?
Posted by: citycheercoach Sep 19 2009, 07:15 PM
QUOTE(taxthedeer @ Sep 19 2009, 03:07 PM)
When are we getting Prybylla back? How's Rodney doing? It looks like a new student MC Wolf mascot costume was unvailed last night, What did they do with the old one?
I have no idea where the new wolf came from. I am in supposed to be in charge of the Wolf...Old Wolfie was there last night and used by the Senior Class. He is just in such bad shape from not being taken care of over years. When I took over cheerleading 3 years ago he was bad. He smells bad...has mattes in his fur...and patches that are missing. The cost to get him fixed is pretty high and buying a new one is even more. The cheerleading program doesn't have the money to maintain him. This is probably something I should take to the Booster Club.
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 19 2009, 07:45 PM
QUOTE(citycheercoach @ Sep 19 2009, 08:15 PM)
I have no idea where the new wolf came from. I am in supposed to be in charge of the Wolf...Old Wolfie was there last night and used by the Senior Class. He is just in such bad shape from not being taken care of over years. When I took over cheerleading 3 years ago he was bad. He smells bad...has mattes in his fur...and patches that are missing. The cost to get him fixed is pretty high and buying a new one is even more. The cheerleading program doesn't have the money to maintain him. This is probably something I should take to the Booster Club.
Sounds like you are going to have the sad duty to put old Wolfie down, coach He's about 15 years old now and has run out his life expentancy. I think we should call in the ASPCA to investigate your predecesors.
Hey, If anyone is interested is seeing the best football team in town, I invite everyone show up at Elston at noon today (Sunday).
Posted by: Ang Sep 21 2009, 11:50 AM
QUOTE(citycheercoach @ Sep 19 2009, 08:15 PM)
I have no idea where the new wolf came from. I am in supposed to be in charge of the Wolf...Old Wolfie was there last night and used by the Senior Class. He is just in such bad shape from not being taken care of over years. When I took over cheerleading 3 years ago he was bad. He smells bad...has mattes in his fur...and patches that are missing. The cost to get him fixed is pretty high and buying a new one is even more. The cheerleading program doesn't have the money to maintain him. This is probably something I should take to the Booster Club.
I was helping the cheer coach try to find a new wolfie costume when I was AD secretary (2004). The boosters had offered to help with the cost of a new costume at that time, but then there was discord and unrest among the cheer coaches and Wolfie fell to the wayside. Talk to the boosters about this again and I'm sure they would be willing to help out. In '04, they offered to pay half the cost and the Coach was going to fundraise specifically for a new costume. I left the mascot catalogs so check with Debbie to see if they're still around the office somewhere. Of course, they are now 5 years old and the prices have dramatically changed I'm sure, but you could probably get web addresses from them and check new products online.
Good Luck!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 21 2009, 01:02 PM
QUOTE(mcstumper @ Sep 19 2009, 02:19 PM)
Almost. Merrillville has a well coached team. They also have a powerful pass rush, linebackers that are fast, know their assignments, and could fight through blocks. But with all that, it was penalties and special teams play that did the Wolves in.
Yeah, that was the hardest part of this loss. It wasn't like Merrillville beat us into the ground. City beat themselves.
On the bright side, the hardest part of their schedule is over. I am guessing that LaPorte is the toughest team we have left. There is a real chance that they can run the table for the rest of the way and still have a chance at the conference title. Even if the Pirates don't lose, 8 wins would be the best ever since consolidation.
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 21 2009, 02:54 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Sep 21 2009, 02:02 PM)
Yeah, that was the hardest part of this loss. It wasn't like Merrillville beat us into the ground. City beat themselves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivFM0pYyUcY
Electric Light Orchestra - Livin' Thing Lyrics
Sailin' away on the crest of a wave
It's like magic
Rollin' and ridin' and slippin' & slidin'
It's magic
[CHORUS]
And you, and your sweet desire,
You took me, higher and higher
It's a livin' thing,
It's a terrible thing to lose
It's a given thing
What a terrible thing to lose.
Making believe this is what you've conceived
From your worst day,
Moving in line when you look back in time
To your first day
[CHORUS -- repeat]
Takin' a dive 'cos you can't halt the slide
Floating downstream,
So let her go don't start spoiling the show
It's a bad dream
[CHORUS -- repeat]
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Sep 21 2009, 02:02 PM)
On the bright side, the hardest part of their schedule is over. I am guessing that LaPorte is the toughest team we have left. There is a real chance that they can run the table for the rest of the way and still have a chance at the conference title. Even if the Pirates don't lose, 8 wins would be the best ever since consolidation.
Don't count Portage out yet, Wolves have only beat the Indians once following the consolidatation (that much ballihood 2005 season
).I'm wondering if there is any chance of getting a fan bus or organize a caravan to go to St. John on Friday night?
This game could be crucial in terms of the teams confidence and could make a signature statement for any furture City to follow, Here's why:
Through out the late '70's thru the mid '90's the premier high school football program in the DAC, Northwest Indiana and the Hosier State was the Hobart Brickies. They had won 4 state championships, 11 state finals apperances, had won regionals, sectionals and conference titles up the wazoo.
In 1994 (which was Buz's rookie campaign as a head coach) Portage played a game against Hobart at the old Brickie Bowl, that place was jammed packed that night just like Ames was on Friday. Portage had a full-back named Joe Christian (he's now a cop in Chesterton), he reminds me a little bit of Adam Harmon, that guy went absoultly berzerk that evening. The way the Indians dominated that night is undescribable beyond belief, you just had too have been there. Let's just say that Portage won 43-7 and crusified the "Brickie Mistique" that night. Hobart Brickie football was never quite the same ever since, several years later Hobart departed the DAC and Lake Central took their place. Portage went on to run the table on the DAC and make the state finals. That Hobart game and that '94 season set the standard for all of Buz's Portage teams in the years to follow.
The Michigan City Wolves needs to set that same kind of standard on Friday night.
Posted by: adam78sc Sep 21 2009, 09:36 PM
QUOTE(taxthedeer @ Sep 21 2009, 03:54 PM)
Portage had a full-back named Joe Christian (he's now a cop in Chesterton), he reminds me a little bit of Adam Harmon, that guy went absoultly berzerk that evening.
I remember watching Joe play when we played them. That dude was a freakin beast.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 23 2009, 07:53 AM
http://nwitimes.com/sports/high-school/indiana/article_a882e1e5-6416-5f2b-b369-668a4db9b20f.html
QUOTE
Wolves just miss chance to make big play
Freshman QB receives playing time for Lake Central
* Story
* Discussion
Times Staff | Posted: Monday, September 21, 2009 12:00 am | No Comments Posted
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With Merrillville ahead 17-10 in the third quarter of Friday's game at Michigan City, Pirates quarterback Zach Raspopovich threw a pass to the sideline that was defended almost perfectly by Wolves senior defensive back Tracy Rivera. He broke on the ball and was in full stride when the ball hit his hands. No one was between Rivera and the end zone.
But the ball fell off his fingertips.
"I should've made the catch," Rivera said. "It was mine, and I should've finished the play. I know I would've scored had I caught the ball."
Right after Rivera's close call, the Wolves got the ball back and running back Adam Harmon broke away on a run of more than 40 yards inside the Pirates' 30-yard line. But a Merrillville defensive back came from behind and knocked the ball loose. Pirates senior Dominique Gray picked up the fumble and returned into Michigan City territory.
"They made the plays and we did not," Michigan City coach Craig Buzea said. "We've got to learn from this and get better."
Monday morning quarterback: Behind by seven points with 6:21 left in the game, Buzea chose to kick a field goal deep in Merrillville territory instead of going for a first down. The decision was nullified when Pirates running back Denzel Pierce broke a 41-yard touchdown run on a fourth-down play.
"Our defense had two four-and-outs," Buzea said. "We kicked it deep and did everything we wanted to do. They just moved the ball and got a big play." -- Steve Hanlon
Freshman QB receives playing time for Lake Central
* Story
* Discussion
Times Staff | Posted: Monday, September 21, 2009 12:00 am | No Comments Posted
Font Size:
Default font size
Larger font size
With Merrillville ahead 17-10 in the third quarter of Friday's game at Michigan City, Pirates quarterback Zach Raspopovich threw a pass to the sideline that was defended almost perfectly by Wolves senior defensive back Tracy Rivera. He broke on the ball and was in full stride when the ball hit his hands. No one was between Rivera and the end zone.
But the ball fell off his fingertips.
"I should've made the catch," Rivera said. "It was mine, and I should've finished the play. I know I would've scored had I caught the ball."
Right after Rivera's close call, the Wolves got the ball back and running back Adam Harmon broke away on a run of more than 40 yards inside the Pirates' 30-yard line. But a Merrillville defensive back came from behind and knocked the ball loose. Pirates senior Dominique Gray picked up the fumble and returned into Michigan City territory.
"They made the plays and we did not," Michigan City coach Craig Buzea said. "We've got to learn from this and get better."
Monday morning quarterback: Behind by seven points with 6:21 left in the game, Buzea chose to kick a field goal deep in Merrillville territory instead of going for a first down. The decision was nullified when Pirates running back Denzel Pierce broke a 41-yard touchdown run on a fourth-down play.
"Our defense had two four-and-outs," Buzea said. "We kicked it deep and did everything we wanted to do. They just moved the ball and got a big play." -- Steve Hanlon
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 23 2009, 07:55 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=25899
QUOTE
4-1 Fine With Me
Adam Parkhouse
Sports Editor, The News-Dispatch
I could smell 5-0, as I'm sure 7-8,000 of our closest friends could as well.
It was there for the taking, but a disastrous first six minutes to the third quarter helped make sure it wouldn't happen.
I was disappointed. Not so much that Michigan City took its first loss of the season at the hands of Merrillville at Ames Field on Friday.
It was more the way it happened. It was a somewhat momentary collapse, an isolated handful of incidents that did City in.
This loss had nothing to do with Merrillville simply being "better" than City, though you could make that argument and I'm not sure I could disagree.
But you know what? Be upset about the loss. That's fine. Taking this personally would tell me that expectations are starting to change around here.
But know this: City's season didn't end when the final second ticked off the clock Friday.
I had a friend text me saying, "Oh well, it was a nice run." I heard similar sentiment from a handful of people after the game, too.
It was a nice run? Excuse me, but that's dead wrong. This IS a nice run.
If I had offered to you before the season that City would be 4-1 after a four-game stretch in the schedule that included South Bend Washington, Chesterton, Valparaiso and Merrillville, I think just about anyone would be pretty excited about that.
Downright giddy might be a better phrase.
Listen, while the Wolves lost an opportunity to control their own destiny in the Duneland Conference, that race isn't over. Sure, in five of the past 10 seasons the DAC champion has finished 7-0. But that also means just as often it had a loss, too.
And personally, I'm not sure Merrillville's gonna run the table. I didn't see anything Friday to convince me of that. The Pirates have three tough games left: La Porte, at Valparaiso and Chesterton. It's not crazy to think they'll lose one of those games.
And of course, City's already played the toughest teams on its schedule, and the Wolves came through that stretch at 4-1. Not bad, eh?
Now the focus for City needs to be squarely on finishing the season strong. There's still school history to be made here. Since the consolidation, no City team has finished the regular season with less than three losses, and only one team finished 6-3 (2000).
Even if City goes 3-1 down the stretch (I think they have a great shot to go 4-0) they'll set a new regular season wins record.
More importantly, finishing 3-1 or 4-0 down the stretch will better prepare the Wolves for the only season that really matters: the postseason.
That's what it's all about folks. There's no postseason reward for performing during the regular season, it's all about the draw and playing well no matter who you find yourself squaring off against.
This year, City's in a sectional with Class 5A No. 1 Penn. The Wolves will need to be on their "A" game should they meet the Kingsmen.
The last month of the season now has clearly defined goals: Give yourself a chance at a share of the Duneland Conference crown by finishing strong and get ready for the real season.
If this season is all about changing expectations, then let's do that. Understand that the regular season is little more than nine practice games for the real deal.
That's where you truly want the Wolves to howl.
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Adam Parkhouse
Sports Editor, The News-Dispatch
I could smell 5-0, as I'm sure 7-8,000 of our closest friends could as well.
It was there for the taking, but a disastrous first six minutes to the third quarter helped make sure it wouldn't happen.
I was disappointed. Not so much that Michigan City took its first loss of the season at the hands of Merrillville at Ames Field on Friday.
It was more the way it happened. It was a somewhat momentary collapse, an isolated handful of incidents that did City in.
This loss had nothing to do with Merrillville simply being "better" than City, though you could make that argument and I'm not sure I could disagree.
But you know what? Be upset about the loss. That's fine. Taking this personally would tell me that expectations are starting to change around here.
But know this: City's season didn't end when the final second ticked off the clock Friday.
I had a friend text me saying, "Oh well, it was a nice run." I heard similar sentiment from a handful of people after the game, too.
It was a nice run? Excuse me, but that's dead wrong. This IS a nice run.
If I had offered to you before the season that City would be 4-1 after a four-game stretch in the schedule that included South Bend Washington, Chesterton, Valparaiso and Merrillville, I think just about anyone would be pretty excited about that.
Downright giddy might be a better phrase.
Listen, while the Wolves lost an opportunity to control their own destiny in the Duneland Conference, that race isn't over. Sure, in five of the past 10 seasons the DAC champion has finished 7-0. But that also means just as often it had a loss, too.
And personally, I'm not sure Merrillville's gonna run the table. I didn't see anything Friday to convince me of that. The Pirates have three tough games left: La Porte, at Valparaiso and Chesterton. It's not crazy to think they'll lose one of those games.
And of course, City's already played the toughest teams on its schedule, and the Wolves came through that stretch at 4-1. Not bad, eh?
Now the focus for City needs to be squarely on finishing the season strong. There's still school history to be made here. Since the consolidation, no City team has finished the regular season with less than three losses, and only one team finished 6-3 (2000).
Even if City goes 3-1 down the stretch (I think they have a great shot to go 4-0) they'll set a new regular season wins record.
More importantly, finishing 3-1 or 4-0 down the stretch will better prepare the Wolves for the only season that really matters: the postseason.
That's what it's all about folks. There's no postseason reward for performing during the regular season, it's all about the draw and playing well no matter who you find yourself squaring off against.
This year, City's in a sectional with Class 5A No. 1 Penn. The Wolves will need to be on their "A" game should they meet the Kingsmen.
The last month of the season now has clearly defined goals: Give yourself a chance at a share of the Duneland Conference crown by finishing strong and get ready for the real season.
If this season is all about changing expectations, then let's do that. Understand that the regular season is little more than nine practice games for the real deal.
That's where you truly want the Wolves to howl.
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 23 2009, 07:59 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=25881
QUOTE
NO LONGER PERFECT
Merrillville 25, Michigan City 13
Adam Parkhouse
Staff Writer
MICHIGAN CITY - After a miraculous touchdown just before halftime, Michigan City was riding high with a lead at halftime in front of a record-breaking crowd at Ames Field.
But the Wolves got a lesson in just how quickly a game can turn.
Merrillville scored twice in the opening minutes of the second half and rode that wave to a 25-13 win over Class 5A No. 8 City, snapping the Wolves' win streak at four and putting to bed any thoughts of a perfect regular season.
"I told the guys I thought they played hard, but we didn't play good enough to win," City coach Craig Buzea said. "I'm not gonna sugarcoat it. We just didn't execute good enough to win."
City's defense was dominant through the first half, allowing just a 23-yard field goal from Mike Enghofer on the game's opening drive. In the second quarter, City's Dustin Rivich countered with a 33-yard field goal to tie the game at 3-3.
Both coaches appeared content to take that 3-3 score into halftime, when City (4-1, 2-1 Duneland) struck gold. On a second-and-20 play, City quarterback Rodney Washington heaved a ball 37 yards downfield into the waiting arms of senior Tracy Rivera. On the next play, Washington tossed the ball into the back of the end zone, and Rivera made an acrobatic catch for a 34-yard touchdown, giving City a 10-3 halftime lead.
"I felt like we had a lot of momentum going," Rivera said of how the team felt at halftime.
City got the ball to start the third quarter and went three-and-out.
Everything went downhill from there.
With 9:51 to play in the third, Merrillville running back Denzel Pierce - who was held to just 12 yards on eight touches in the first half - broke a couple City tackles and streaked 61 yards to paydirt, tying the score.
City's offense again stalled, going three-and-out. This time, Merrillville (4-1, 3-0 DAC) blocked Dustin Rivich's punt and took over on City's 27-yard line.
Quarterback Zach Raspopovich busted loose for a 25-yard gain, and a few plays later Pierce found the end zone again from 1 yard out with 6:09 on the clock to give the Pirates a 17-10 lead.
City's offense scuffled for much of the second half. But with 2:29 to play in the third, senior running back Adam Harmon got free for a gain of 50 yards to Merrillville's 30-yard line, but the ball was popped loose by a Merrillville defender. The Pirates recovered and returned the ball to midfield. They didn't score, but City clearly was affected by the play.
"That was huge because it not only would have changed field position, but it would have given us momentum," Buzea said.
Later in the game, Rivera stepped in front of a third-down pass from Raspopovich with nothing but green turf in front of him. But the pass went off his hands for an incomplete pass.
City's defense continued to hold and after a Ryan Isaac sack, Merrillville was forced to punt with 9:15 left in the game. The punt was not good, and City took over at Merrillville's 37.
The Wolves went wildcat up the field just like they had in the last couple weeks late in games. Again, Harmon moved City to inside the 10-yard line.
But second- and third-down passes went incomplete - including one that went through Jeremy Harris' hands in the end zone - and City settled for a 23-yard Rivich field goal, hoping the defense would get the ball back.
"We did what we wanted to do. We kicked it deep ... it worked perfect," Buzea said of the ensuing kickoff. "We felt it was the best way to go."
But this time, City's defense couldn't get the job done. Merrillville methodically moved the ball upfield, chewing precious seconds off the clock until the play of the game occurred with 2:42 left to play.
Merrillville faced a fourth-and-1 from City's 41-yard line. The Pirates elected to go for the conversion, and Pierce made the decision pay off. He found a seam and bounced outside, running 41 yards for the game-clinching score.
"I think we just got down a little bit," Rivera said of the second-half play. "After that second (touchdown), everyone kinda hung their heads."
With the loss, City closes out a brutal stretch of schedule that included Class 4A power South Bend Washington and perennial DAC powers Chesterton, Valparaiso and Merrillville.
"We just played four of the toughest games anyone can ever imagine," Buzea said.
Rivera added, "It's very important not to take this game and dwell on it in a negative way."
Win, lose or draw, the game happened in front of an overflow crowd. There wasn't a seat to be had in the house, and several hundred people were left standing to watch the action along the stadium side walls.
"It's awesome. This is how I envisioned it when I came over here," Buzea said. "Obviously, we're disappointed. I just hope people give us another chance."
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Merrillville 25, Michigan City 13
Adam Parkhouse
Staff Writer
MICHIGAN CITY - After a miraculous touchdown just before halftime, Michigan City was riding high with a lead at halftime in front of a record-breaking crowd at Ames Field.
But the Wolves got a lesson in just how quickly a game can turn.
Merrillville scored twice in the opening minutes of the second half and rode that wave to a 25-13 win over Class 5A No. 8 City, snapping the Wolves' win streak at four and putting to bed any thoughts of a perfect regular season.
"I told the guys I thought they played hard, but we didn't play good enough to win," City coach Craig Buzea said. "I'm not gonna sugarcoat it. We just didn't execute good enough to win."
City's defense was dominant through the first half, allowing just a 23-yard field goal from Mike Enghofer on the game's opening drive. In the second quarter, City's Dustin Rivich countered with a 33-yard field goal to tie the game at 3-3.
Both coaches appeared content to take that 3-3 score into halftime, when City (4-1, 2-1 Duneland) struck gold. On a second-and-20 play, City quarterback Rodney Washington heaved a ball 37 yards downfield into the waiting arms of senior Tracy Rivera. On the next play, Washington tossed the ball into the back of the end zone, and Rivera made an acrobatic catch for a 34-yard touchdown, giving City a 10-3 halftime lead.
"I felt like we had a lot of momentum going," Rivera said of how the team felt at halftime.
City got the ball to start the third quarter and went three-and-out.
Everything went downhill from there.
With 9:51 to play in the third, Merrillville running back Denzel Pierce - who was held to just 12 yards on eight touches in the first half - broke a couple City tackles and streaked 61 yards to paydirt, tying the score.
City's offense again stalled, going three-and-out. This time, Merrillville (4-1, 3-0 DAC) blocked Dustin Rivich's punt and took over on City's 27-yard line.
Quarterback Zach Raspopovich busted loose for a 25-yard gain, and a few plays later Pierce found the end zone again from 1 yard out with 6:09 on the clock to give the Pirates a 17-10 lead.
City's offense scuffled for much of the second half. But with 2:29 to play in the third, senior running back Adam Harmon got free for a gain of 50 yards to Merrillville's 30-yard line, but the ball was popped loose by a Merrillville defender. The Pirates recovered and returned the ball to midfield. They didn't score, but City clearly was affected by the play.
"That was huge because it not only would have changed field position, but it would have given us momentum," Buzea said.
Later in the game, Rivera stepped in front of a third-down pass from Raspopovich with nothing but green turf in front of him. But the pass went off his hands for an incomplete pass.
City's defense continued to hold and after a Ryan Isaac sack, Merrillville was forced to punt with 9:15 left in the game. The punt was not good, and City took over at Merrillville's 37.
The Wolves went wildcat up the field just like they had in the last couple weeks late in games. Again, Harmon moved City to inside the 10-yard line.
But second- and third-down passes went incomplete - including one that went through Jeremy Harris' hands in the end zone - and City settled for a 23-yard Rivich field goal, hoping the defense would get the ball back.
"We did what we wanted to do. We kicked it deep ... it worked perfect," Buzea said of the ensuing kickoff. "We felt it was the best way to go."
But this time, City's defense couldn't get the job done. Merrillville methodically moved the ball upfield, chewing precious seconds off the clock until the play of the game occurred with 2:42 left to play.
Merrillville faced a fourth-and-1 from City's 41-yard line. The Pirates elected to go for the conversion, and Pierce made the decision pay off. He found a seam and bounced outside, running 41 yards for the game-clinching score.
"I think we just got down a little bit," Rivera said of the second-half play. "After that second (touchdown), everyone kinda hung their heads."
With the loss, City closes out a brutal stretch of schedule that included Class 4A power South Bend Washington and perennial DAC powers Chesterton, Valparaiso and Merrillville.
"We just played four of the toughest games anyone can ever imagine," Buzea said.
Rivera added, "It's very important not to take this game and dwell on it in a negative way."
Win, lose or draw, the game happened in front of an overflow crowd. There wasn't a seat to be had in the house, and several hundred people were left standing to watch the action along the stadium side walls.
"It's awesome. This is how I envisioned it when I came over here," Buzea said. "Obviously, we're disappointed. I just hope people give us another chance."
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 23 2009, 08:01 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=25879
QUOTE
Who's got spirit? MCHS
Hundreds line up hours early to attend homecoming game
Alicia Ebaugh
Staff Writer
MICHIGAN CITY - Two hours before the game, the line to buy tickets was already 200 people long.
On Michigan City Wolves' football homecoming night, fans from all over the area flocked to Ames Field. You had the normal activity, from girls in tube socks and painted faces gathering in groups to gossip, Class of 2011, of 2013, scribbled on their arms, to boys in Wolves jerseys tossing a football back and forth near the gate.
But, as everyone knew, there was a level of excitement brewing beneath the surface of the rapidly growing crowd that was different.
For the first time in school history, the team stood undefeated in its first four games. That surprised pretty much everyone, including Tyler Wilson, 15, and his friends.
"They're No. 1 in the (Duneland Athletic Conference) for the first time in 15 years," Wilson said as he watched his friends roughhouse before the game. "I don't know the last time I was at a football game, but I had to come see this."
Kyle Nieman came back from college to see the game. His sister, Jessica, also was up for homecoming queen that night. Nieman played football for the Wolves when he went to school here.
"Their record is a really big deal," he said.
In the parking lot of AJ's Bar and Grill next door, Frank Miller grilled dozens of Polish sausages and hamburgers near the tailgate of a pickup truck. Herbert and Toundra Bonds, who were there with him, said their daughter, who graduated last year from Michigan City, also was coming back for the game.
"It's pretty exciting," Herbert Bonds said. "We've followed them everywhere this year."
"We're going to Indianapolis for the title game, you know it," said Miller, whose son, Frank Jr., plays freshman football.
Jerome Anderson Jr. doesn't have any relatives who go to Michigan City High School. He's just a big fan of football.
"The spirit has just been crazy since the Valparaiso game," Anderson said. "I give the new coaching staff two thumbs up for what they've done with the team."
Hundreds line up hours early to attend homecoming game
Alicia Ebaugh
Staff Writer
MICHIGAN CITY - Two hours before the game, the line to buy tickets was already 200 people long.
On Michigan City Wolves' football homecoming night, fans from all over the area flocked to Ames Field. You had the normal activity, from girls in tube socks and painted faces gathering in groups to gossip, Class of 2011, of 2013, scribbled on their arms, to boys in Wolves jerseys tossing a football back and forth near the gate.
But, as everyone knew, there was a level of excitement brewing beneath the surface of the rapidly growing crowd that was different.
For the first time in school history, the team stood undefeated in its first four games. That surprised pretty much everyone, including Tyler Wilson, 15, and his friends.
"They're No. 1 in the (Duneland Athletic Conference) for the first time in 15 years," Wilson said as he watched his friends roughhouse before the game. "I don't know the last time I was at a football game, but I had to come see this."
Kyle Nieman came back from college to see the game. His sister, Jessica, also was up for homecoming queen that night. Nieman played football for the Wolves when he went to school here.
"Their record is a really big deal," he said.
In the parking lot of AJ's Bar and Grill next door, Frank Miller grilled dozens of Polish sausages and hamburgers near the tailgate of a pickup truck. Herbert and Toundra Bonds, who were there with him, said their daughter, who graduated last year from Michigan City, also was coming back for the game.
"It's pretty exciting," Herbert Bonds said. "We've followed them everywhere this year."
"We're going to Indianapolis for the title game, you know it," said Miller, whose son, Frank Jr., plays freshman football.
Jerome Anderson Jr. doesn't have any relatives who go to Michigan City High School. He's just a big fan of football.
"The spirit has just been crazy since the Valparaiso game," Anderson said. "I give the new coaching staff two thumbs up for what they've done with the team."
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 23 2009, 08:03 AM
http://nwitimes.com/sports/columnists/steve-hanlon/article_9d0c47f3-1bc1-5475-b194-de3626a1cffd.html
QUOTE
STEVE HANLON: Ames is no longer an empty palace
MICHIGAN CITY | Honestly, I thought I'd gotten lost on Friday night.
In my end-of-the-week travels, I've come to expect the expected when traveling to certain communities to watch football games.
I love when fans by the hundreds all wear the same color apparel. Excitement can be seen at these football places, and you can observe it just watching the way people walk and talk. That always has been exciting.
Conversely, I've been to Ames Field in Michigan City before in previous years.
Usually you'd fine a smattering of people and a lot of echoes inside the stadium, as hapless attempts at football took place since Elston and Rogers high schools consolidated into MCHS in 1995. That was painful to watch.
But the end of my drive Friday into Michigan City was amazing. Colorful floats were honking horns a couple miles from the gridiron. People were standing in lines -- long lines -- trying to get into the game that pitted Times No. 3 Merrillville against No. 4 M.C.
Wolves athletic director Bear Falls estimated the crowd at more than 6,000 fans.
The 50/50 raffle pot at halftime was $998, also a new school record.
The atmosphere was more important than Merrillville's 25-13 white-knuckle win.
Michigan City has arrived and it looks like it is hear to stay.
"The best thing about this is that it's bringing our community together," Falls said. "Our entire city is excited about what these kids are doing here at the school. Just look around and take it all in. It's amazing to see."
City senior Tracy Rivera took it in. The entire roster in blue noticed it, too. Before Craig Buzea took over the program three years ago, the palace was empty. Ames always has been one of the Region's best facilities.
But the Wolves used to be scary to watch.
"We've received a lot of support, and it's great because it's something I never thought I'd see," said Rivera, who was all over the field. "It was amazing to see, it really was. Hey, good teams lose games. We just have to rebound from this and come back. I know we're going to do this."
Falls deserves a lot of the credit for the excitement brewing in City. He went outside the box in order to turn his program from a laughing stock to an up and comer in the Duneland Athletic Conference and beyond. Falls brought in Buzea. He brought in West Side coach John Boyd for boys basketball. The tide has turned and it will only get better in the coming weeks, and of course, years.
Buzea has coached in games with more people and more on the line than Friday night. But in my opinion this Merrillville game was bigger than all the rest.
When Buzea took over at Portage, the Indians were already a very good program.
When he arrived in LaPorte County three years ago, he was greeted by an expectation of losing.
That will not be the case anymore.
"This was awesome," Buzea said of the crowd and excitement outside of the actual game. "This is what I envisioned would happen when I took the job. I don't know if you could find a better high school atmosphere than what we had here tonight."
This column solely represents the writer's opinion. Reach him at steve.hanlon@nwi.com.
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 23 2009, 08:55 AM
QUOTE
Honestly, I thought I'd gotten lost on Friday night.
Hanlon, you've the right idea, GET LOST MAN!!!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 23 2009, 12:21 PM
Be there or be square!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2036300&id=1396664560&saved#/event.php?eid=138789410689&ref=nf
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 23 2009, 01:27 PM
I am kind of dumbfounded by this letter. The writer admits getting there late, and knowing how crowded it was going to be, but then asked for his money back? That is $15 they just took away from the athletic department at MCHS because why again?
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=25914&TM=55516.11
QUOTE
Ames Field needed more seats
Congratulations to those lucky enough to watch the Wolves play on a beautiful night for football at Ames Field. My wife could not get off work until 6:15 and by the time we arrived at 6:45 there was not one seat left in the place. Luckily we got our money back for three tickets, although they did not seem to thrilled by it.
I saw a small set of bleachers on each side of the field but was told the one side was for the band. The other was full. I don't know if room was an issue but maybe a few more bleachers next time. Especially when expecting 10,000 people. Just a thought.
R. Adam Bryant
La Porte
Congratulations to those lucky enough to watch the Wolves play on a beautiful night for football at Ames Field. My wife could not get off work until 6:15 and by the time we arrived at 6:45 there was not one seat left in the place. Luckily we got our money back for three tickets, although they did not seem to thrilled by it.
I saw a small set of bleachers on each side of the field but was told the one side was for the band. The other was full. I don't know if room was an issue but maybe a few more bleachers next time. Especially when expecting 10,000 people. Just a thought.
R. Adam Bryant
La Porte
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 23 2009, 03:00 PM
The Wolves dropped to #15 in the coaches poll, and stayed at #15 in the AP poll
http://indianahsfootball.homestead.com/files/topten5A.htm
Posted by: citycheercoach Sep 23 2009, 03:42 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Sep 23 2009, 04:00 PM)
The Wolves dropped to #15 in the coaches poll, and stayed at #15 in the AP poll
http://indianahsfootball.homestead.com/files/topten5A.htm
Being ranked is still being ranked! We have popped up on polls before in some sports but it usually doesn't last long...we have been on the polls for weeks! Still excited even after the loss last week. Bring on Lake Central!
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 23 2009, 03:53 PM
QUOTE(citycheercoach @ Sep 23 2009, 04:42 PM)
Being ranked is still being ranked! We have popped up on polls before in some sports but it usually doesn't last long...we have been on the polls for weeks! Still excited even after the loss last week. Bring on Lake Central!
A few of advisories for those making the trip to St. John on Friday night if you've never been there:
- 1. There is a small wetland/marsh/swamp directly behind the visitors stands, things can get quite buqqy, so I recommend bringing a can of OFF! or other type of mosquito spray.
- 2. Bring your umbrella's and rain poncho's, it's supposed to rain all this weekend.
- 3. Expect an easy Wolves victory, Lake Central's football program is really in the toilet.
Posted by: adam78sc Sep 23 2009, 04:27 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Sep 23 2009, 02:27 PM)
I am kind of dumbfounded by this letter. The writer admits getting there late, and knowing how crowded it was going to be, but then asked for his money back? That is $15 they just took away from the athletic department at MCHS because why again?
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=25914&TM=55516.11
Yea I wrote that letter. I'm not sure why you would be dumbfounded by it. First off, I was not the only one that left for failure of getting a seat. Also, yes, even though I got there "late", (game didn't start until 7) I still wanted to try out of hope that either not as many people would show up as expected or they would be prepared by having more bleachers than they did which wasn't many. Now I understand if they may not of had room or additional bleachers were not at their disposal. I really don't know. And I expressed that in my letter. I wrote it not necessarily out of frustration but rather to let the school know that they were not prepared for this and that if they have the means to be better prepared in the future, to do so. City is winning and ranked so more will show up. But I have never, ever had a problem getting a seat. So even though they were expecting this and we were running late, I still went thinking I would find seats for me, my wife and two small children. And to answer your question about taking money away from the athletic dept., if you want to call it that. Maybe they shouldn't of, well, I don't know... continued to sell tickets well after they were past full capacity. Just a thought. I personally would of done a few things different. Like brought in more bleachers and cut off sales after they filled the stadium. You know, stuff that happens everywhere else. But I guess 5 dollars multiplied by 7,000 wasn't enough money for the athletic dept. on Friday night and they needed my 15 dollars. So, sure I expected a refund for selling me seats that were not there. Because I have kids. If it was just me I would of stood.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 23 2009, 05:41 PM
I just can't agree with the expectation of finding seats in this situation, unless they promised you that you would have seats. Just because they sold tickets, doesn't mean there were seats available (again unless you were told there was). As was said earlier, there was plenty of standing room only as well. Capacity does not always mean seats. It means people able to fit into the stadium. They had plenty of room to fit plenty more people.
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 23 2009, 05:46 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Sep 23 2009, 06:41 PM)
I just can't agree with the expectation of finding seats in this situation, unless they promised you that you would have seats. Just because they sold tickets, doesn't mean there were seats available (again unless you were told there was). As was said earlier, there was plenty of standing room only as well. Capacity does not always mean seats. It means people able to fit into the stadium. They had plenty of room to fit plenty more people.
If the team is ever lucky enough to host a regional or semi-state Ames is going to be insane.
Posted by: adam78sc Sep 23 2009, 07:40 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Sep 23 2009, 06:41 PM)
I just can't agree with the expectation of finding seats in this situation, unless they promised you that you would have seats. Just because they sold tickets, doesn't mean there were seats available (again unless you were told there was). As was said earlier, there was plenty of standing room only as well. Capacity does not always mean seats. It means people able to fit into the stadium. They had plenty of room to fit plenty more people.
Well I later found out that the stadium was full by like 5 o'clock. I was amazed by that bit of info. I personally was always under the impression that if someone sold you a ticket that you should be able to find a seat. I'm wrong. So lesson learned as they say, lol.. when City is winning "loyal fans" come out of the woodwork. Winning teams put fans in the stands. That's a fact, even here I know now. So armed with this knowledge I shall seek out my place in the stadium or rather the line to the stadium no earlier than 5 o'clock or else find a place to stand. As long as City is winning anyway. If not winning than I imagine I should have no problem finding a seat like all the other games in the past, no matter what time I show up. Looking back maybe it would be better for them to keep track of the ticket to seat ratio someway. Then they can tell people or put I sign up saying standing room only after all seats are sold.
Posted by: Ang Sep 24 2009, 11:48 AM
QUOTE(adam78sc @ Sep 23 2009, 05:27 PM)
Yea I wrote that letter. I'm not sure why you would be dumbfounded by it. First off, I was not the only one that left for failure of getting a seat. Also, yes, even though I got there "late", (game didn't start until 7) I still wanted to try out of hope that either not as many people would show up as expected or they would be prepared by having more bleachers than they did which wasn't many. Now I understand if they may not of had room or additional bleachers were not at their disposal. I really don't know. And I expressed that in my letter. I wrote it not necessarily out of frustration but rather to let the school know that they were not prepared for this and that if they have the means to be better prepared in the future, to do so. City is winning and ranked so more will show up. But I have never, ever had a problem getting a seat. So even though they were expecting this and we were running late, I still went thinking I would find seats for me, my wife and two small children. And to answer your question about taking money away from the athletic dept., if you want to call it that. Maybe they shouldn't of, well, I don't know... continued to sell tickets well after they were past full capacity. Just a thought. I personally would of done a few things different. Like brought in more bleachers and cut off sales after they filled the stadium. You know, stuff that happens everywhere else. But I guess 5 dollars multiplied by 7,000 wasn't enough money for the athletic dept. on Friday night and they needed my 15 dollars. So, sure I expected a refund for selling me seats that were not there. Because I have kids. If it was just me I would of stood.
I was sitting in the end zone bleachers on the Franklin St side, and there was plenty of room. We had two whole rows of seats empty! It didn't look like it from afar, but when I walked over I saw plenty of room. It was a little different watching the game from the end zone but I got used to it. The only concern was getting hit by a football going through the goal posts. Didn't happen though, so other than the loss, life was good.
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 24 2009, 12:48 PM
QUOTE(Ang @ Sep 24 2009, 12:48 PM)
I was sitting in the end zone bleachers on the Franklin St side, and there was plenty of room. We had two whole rows of seats empty! It didn't look like it from afar, but when I walked over I saw plenty of room. It was a little different watching the game from the end zone but I got used to it. The only concern was getting hit by a football going through the goal posts. Didn't happen though, so other than the loss, life was good.
I had bought my ticket Tuesday evening at the Volleyball game from Bear Falls. I was planning on riding my bicycle to and from the stadium but my lady friends grandson called me after he had gotten out of school and said that their mom wasn't going and asked if he and his little brother can come along with me. We showed up about 5:30, I was lucky enough to snatch a parking space on Authur St. across from Al's and just East of the Dairy Queen's lot. I then gave the boys 20 bucks to get in line and buy their tickets and I'll be in my usual spot. The pre-sale line at the SE gate was about 50 deep when I got there and when the gates opened at 5:45 it took about 15 minutes for me to get my ticket scanned to enter the stadium, I had a green ticket others had a red ticket, the people with red tickets had to have their names checked off from a list for some reason. I was able to set my bleacher seat down just a few rows from where I usually like to sit. (I did notice that there was alot of "seat saving" going on).
About 15 minutes later the younger brother came up to me where I was sitting with my 10 bucks in hand and asked if he and his brother could spend it on munchies, I agreed as long as he brought my up a Pepsi and him and his brother could split the rest. When he came back with my drink, and he asked if they could hang around with their friends and teammates on the carpet on the SE corner between the main stands and the temporary bleachers, I said, "That's fine with me."
I could see the parade from where I was sitting and had a really nice time chatting with the fans around me, watching warmups and saying hi to people I know as they took or tried to find a seat. About a half hour before kick off I had get up and do something and on my way back up to my seat, down on the concourse I noticed a guy about to get on the elevator that goes up to the pressbox, I asked if I could ride along with him and the big weenie says, "no, only authorized personnal are allowed in the pressbox, sorry". (I guess he just didn't realize who I am).
Besides the City loss that was my only disappointment of the night.
Posted by: citycheercoach Sep 24 2009, 07:57 PM
Anyone making the long drive over to Lake Central tomorrow night? I know it is a long haul but I sure hope some people come out to support the guys. They need all the support they can get after last week. I know I have an hour and a half bus ride in front of me! Hope to see you all there!
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 24 2009, 08:37 PM
QUOTE(citycheercoach @ Sep 24 2009, 08:57 PM)
Anyone making the long drive over to Lake Central tomorrow night? I know it is a long haul but I sure hope some people come out to support the guys. They need all the support they can get after last week. I know I have an hour and a half bus ride in front of me! Hope to see you all there!
Depends on the weather. I also have to drive all the way to Schererville for a Pop Warner game early Sunday morning.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 24 2009, 08:45 PM
I'll be calling the game from the pressbox [/shameless plug]
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 25 2009, 08:02 AM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Sep 24 2009, 09:45 PM)
I'll be calling the game from the pressbox [/shameless plug]
If you can't make it, Parkhouse and I are on the call for WIMS. I think Region radio is doing Merrillville/LaPorte, so once again that will be the only place in town to hear the whole game.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 25 2009, 01:26 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=25989
QUOTE
Big Question Mark Surrounds City
H.S. Football: Week 6 Preview
Adam Parkhouse and Nick Dettmann
Staff Writer
After perhaps the biggest night in Ames Field history that included a record crowd with a disappointing loss to Merrillville, Michigan City goes on the road tonight for only the second time this season.
City (4-1, 2-1 Duneland) will take on Lake Central (1-4, 0-3 DAC) in St. John, Ind., at 7 p.m.
But there could be a kink in City's plans. At the end of the Merrillville game, City junior quarterback Rodney Washington went down with an undisclosed injury.
Earlier this week City coach Craig Buzea called Washington day-to-day with an "upper extremity" injury. Late Thursday, Buzea called Washington a game-time decision If Washington doesn't go, expect backup Joel Hirsch to be an option under center for the Wolves.
The question is, how important is Washington's status to the outcome of this game?
The Wolves would figure to have the advantage in every facet of this game. City's scored 141 points (28.2 per game) compared to a DAC-low 58 (11.6 per game) for Lake Central. Also, the Indians have allowed 127 (25.4 per game), only behind Crown Point's 128 in the DAC, while the Wolves have allowed a DAC-low 73 points (14.6 per game).
Since Lake Central joined the DAC in 2003, City has won four of seven matchups with the Indians. But in those six-plus seasons, only Lake Central has performed worse in the DAC than City. Including this season, the Indians are 6-39 in DAC play since the start of the 2003 campaign, while City is 11-34.
"When I flipped on the film, I was hoping to see an inferior team," Buzea said of the Indians. "But they're a very physical team that's given up the big plays."
Throughout the season, City's has arguably played a more difficult opponent than the week before. That would figure to stop this week, which always leaves open the possibility of a letdown.
"I don't worry about a letdown so much about us not playing to our potential," Buzea said. "They understand each game is as valuable as every other one. We're playing to get better each and every week."
Buzea also hopes to see a higher sense of urgency and energy level than against Merrillville.
"Throughout the whole game it just didn't seem like we were flying around like we had the last couple games," Buzea said. "I don't know what you can trace it to. Is it because we played four big games in a row? It might have been more mental than physical.
"We just didn't get the job done."
Adam's pick: City, 31-14; Nick's pick: City, 28-13.
H.S. Football: Week 6 Preview
Adam Parkhouse and Nick Dettmann
Staff Writer
After perhaps the biggest night in Ames Field history that included a record crowd with a disappointing loss to Merrillville, Michigan City goes on the road tonight for only the second time this season.
City (4-1, 2-1 Duneland) will take on Lake Central (1-4, 0-3 DAC) in St. John, Ind., at 7 p.m.
But there could be a kink in City's plans. At the end of the Merrillville game, City junior quarterback Rodney Washington went down with an undisclosed injury.
Earlier this week City coach Craig Buzea called Washington day-to-day with an "upper extremity" injury. Late Thursday, Buzea called Washington a game-time decision If Washington doesn't go, expect backup Joel Hirsch to be an option under center for the Wolves.
The question is, how important is Washington's status to the outcome of this game?
The Wolves would figure to have the advantage in every facet of this game. City's scored 141 points (28.2 per game) compared to a DAC-low 58 (11.6 per game) for Lake Central. Also, the Indians have allowed 127 (25.4 per game), only behind Crown Point's 128 in the DAC, while the Wolves have allowed a DAC-low 73 points (14.6 per game).
Since Lake Central joined the DAC in 2003, City has won four of seven matchups with the Indians. But in those six-plus seasons, only Lake Central has performed worse in the DAC than City. Including this season, the Indians are 6-39 in DAC play since the start of the 2003 campaign, while City is 11-34.
"When I flipped on the film, I was hoping to see an inferior team," Buzea said of the Indians. "But they're a very physical team that's given up the big plays."
Throughout the season, City's has arguably played a more difficult opponent than the week before. That would figure to stop this week, which always leaves open the possibility of a letdown.
"I don't worry about a letdown so much about us not playing to our potential," Buzea said. "They understand each game is as valuable as every other one. We're playing to get better each and every week."
Buzea also hopes to see a higher sense of urgency and energy level than against Merrillville.
"Throughout the whole game it just didn't seem like we were flying around like we had the last couple games," Buzea said. "I don't know what you can trace it to. Is it because we played four big games in a row? It might have been more mental than physical.
"We just didn't get the job done."
Adam's pick: City, 31-14; Nick's pick: City, 28-13.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 25 2009, 01:28 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=25988
QUOTE
Q/A: Tracy Rivera
City's speedy playmaker chats with The N-D
Adam Parkhouse
Staff Writer
He's the one opposing defenses never see coming. Standing just 5-foot-5, Michigan City receiver/defensive back Tracy Rivera knows people don't marvel at his physical size, so he finds a different way to stand out: With blazing speed and surprising strength.
All season long, Rivera has been able to get behind defenses for big plays, and his speed figures to continue to be a major part of City's offense through the rest of the season.
In the following interview, Rivera discusses the limitations of his frame, speaks glowingly about his coach and the NFL's best little guy.
N-D: Michigan City High School has nearly 2,000 students. How many of them could beat you in a foot race?
Rivera: I don't wanna be bragging, but I don't think there's a lot. I'm pretty sure there's a lot of kids in the school that's fast, but not a lot that can get me.
N-D: Ever been timed in the 40?
Rivera: No I haven't. Last time I did a 40 was when I was a freshman. I did it in the gym and coach Scully timed me around a 4.7.
N-D: How do you like the new turf? Do you feel faster?
Rivera: Yeah, it's great. It's a lot easier to run on that grass. I'm not slipping as much as I would be on grass.
N-D: Early in the season we saw a couple fumbles and drops from you, but in the last few weeks you've been much more sure-handed. Are you doing anything different?
Rivera: It's just all about focus. What my problem was, I try too much; I try to do too much. I was playing for myself and realized I need to play for the team.
N-D: It's been several days since the loss to Merrillville. Now that the dust has settled, are you still disappointed in the loss or happy to be 4-1?
Rivera: It's nice to be 4-1, but at the same time I'm still a little disappointed on how we played. Like I said before, I'm not gonna dwell on the negatives. I'll just try to move forward and win the rest of these games.
N-D: Coach Buzea has gotten a lot of credit for the turnaround in this program. What's it like playing for him?
Rivera: It's great. It's something like I've never seen before. I came in my freshman year with Mr. Holmes and seen that he was really focused on usually one or two players, and coach Buzea utilizes everything he has, which turns everybody into better players.
N-D: How far can this team go?
Rivera: We really think we can win a sectional, honestly. That's one of my goals, since we've been in Sectional 2 ... as hard as we've worked we believe we can go farther than we've ever gone before.
N-D: What was it like coming out onto the field before kickoff against Merrillville and seeing every seat in the house taken?
Rivera: It was really surprising to me because I've never seen a crowd that big. It gives us a lot more confidence knowing we have that support.
N-D: You're a part of the wildcat formation that's been so successful, but Adam (Harmon) usually keeps the ball. Would you like to take that handoff more often?
Rivera: It would be nice to get the ball from time to time, but whatever works ... as long we put points on the board, I'm OK with it.
N-D: Is there a player in the NFL whose style you try to emulate?
Rivera: I try to play like how (Carolina Panthers receiver) Steve Smith plays, because he's a short guy and has a lot of success. I look up to him because of his stature. If he can play big, why can't I?
N-D: How tall are you actually? What are the challenges that come with that?
Rivera: Actually I'm 5-5. It's a little difficult when it comes to defenders that's taller than me, but that's why I had to develop my speed. My speed and strength is what I have going for me.
N-D: What's your favorite pregame meal?
Rivera: Really whatever the parents are making. I love everything they make.
N-D: Do they put out nice spreads for you guys?
Rivera: They go all out. Every time we have dinner and I appreciate it.
N-D: Who's your favorite musical artist?
Rivera: I would say Lil' Wayne.
N-D: What's your favorite school subject?
Rivera: My favorite would be English. I've been told that I have a big vocabulary and a lot of people don't understand what I'm saying. I like having a big vocabulary because it makes me sounds more intelligent.
N-D: What's your favorite movie?
Rivera: Apocalyptico. I kinda take that movie like how I prepare for games. The mentality aspect of the movie is just insane. It gives me the feeling to push forward ... he never gave up on what he was trying to do.
N-D: If you could meet one person from history, who would it be?
Rivera: Abraham Lincoln. He changed America more than anybody would have thought back then. Without him, a lot of people we see today doing things wouldn't have done them without him.
City's speedy playmaker chats with The N-D
Adam Parkhouse
Staff Writer
He's the one opposing defenses never see coming. Standing just 5-foot-5, Michigan City receiver/defensive back Tracy Rivera knows people don't marvel at his physical size, so he finds a different way to stand out: With blazing speed and surprising strength.
All season long, Rivera has been able to get behind defenses for big plays, and his speed figures to continue to be a major part of City's offense through the rest of the season.
In the following interview, Rivera discusses the limitations of his frame, speaks glowingly about his coach and the NFL's best little guy.
N-D: Michigan City High School has nearly 2,000 students. How many of them could beat you in a foot race?
Rivera: I don't wanna be bragging, but I don't think there's a lot. I'm pretty sure there's a lot of kids in the school that's fast, but not a lot that can get me.
N-D: Ever been timed in the 40?
Rivera: No I haven't. Last time I did a 40 was when I was a freshman. I did it in the gym and coach Scully timed me around a 4.7.
N-D: How do you like the new turf? Do you feel faster?
Rivera: Yeah, it's great. It's a lot easier to run on that grass. I'm not slipping as much as I would be on grass.
N-D: Early in the season we saw a couple fumbles and drops from you, but in the last few weeks you've been much more sure-handed. Are you doing anything different?
Rivera: It's just all about focus. What my problem was, I try too much; I try to do too much. I was playing for myself and realized I need to play for the team.
N-D: It's been several days since the loss to Merrillville. Now that the dust has settled, are you still disappointed in the loss or happy to be 4-1?
Rivera: It's nice to be 4-1, but at the same time I'm still a little disappointed on how we played. Like I said before, I'm not gonna dwell on the negatives. I'll just try to move forward and win the rest of these games.
N-D: Coach Buzea has gotten a lot of credit for the turnaround in this program. What's it like playing for him?
Rivera: It's great. It's something like I've never seen before. I came in my freshman year with Mr. Holmes and seen that he was really focused on usually one or two players, and coach Buzea utilizes everything he has, which turns everybody into better players.
N-D: How far can this team go?
Rivera: We really think we can win a sectional, honestly. That's one of my goals, since we've been in Sectional 2 ... as hard as we've worked we believe we can go farther than we've ever gone before.
N-D: What was it like coming out onto the field before kickoff against Merrillville and seeing every seat in the house taken?
Rivera: It was really surprising to me because I've never seen a crowd that big. It gives us a lot more confidence knowing we have that support.
N-D: You're a part of the wildcat formation that's been so successful, but Adam (Harmon) usually keeps the ball. Would you like to take that handoff more often?
Rivera: It would be nice to get the ball from time to time, but whatever works ... as long we put points on the board, I'm OK with it.
N-D: Is there a player in the NFL whose style you try to emulate?
Rivera: I try to play like how (Carolina Panthers receiver) Steve Smith plays, because he's a short guy and has a lot of success. I look up to him because of his stature. If he can play big, why can't I?
N-D: How tall are you actually? What are the challenges that come with that?
Rivera: Actually I'm 5-5. It's a little difficult when it comes to defenders that's taller than me, but that's why I had to develop my speed. My speed and strength is what I have going for me.
N-D: What's your favorite pregame meal?
Rivera: Really whatever the parents are making. I love everything they make.
N-D: Do they put out nice spreads for you guys?
Rivera: They go all out. Every time we have dinner and I appreciate it.
N-D: Who's your favorite musical artist?
Rivera: I would say Lil' Wayne.
N-D: What's your favorite school subject?
Rivera: My favorite would be English. I've been told that I have a big vocabulary and a lot of people don't understand what I'm saying. I like having a big vocabulary because it makes me sounds more intelligent.
N-D: What's your favorite movie?
Rivera: Apocalyptico. I kinda take that movie like how I prepare for games. The mentality aspect of the movie is just insane. It gives me the feeling to push forward ... he never gave up on what he was trying to do.
N-D: If you could meet one person from history, who would it be?
Rivera: Abraham Lincoln. He changed America more than anybody would have thought back then. Without him, a lot of people we see today doing things wouldn't have done them without him.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 25 2009, 01:33 PM
http://www.post-trib.com/sports/highschools/1789863,tofbh-michcity-0925.highschool
QUOTE
MICHIGAN CITY -- Craig Buzea couldn't believe what he was seeing. Heck, he didn't even understand it. It was the summer of 2007, and it was Buzea's first workout as the new Michigan City football coach. And what he saw that day was unlike anything he had seen in his 14 years at Portage. Unlike anything the fiery disciplinarian could even imagine, really.
Players were -- gasp! -- going half-speed through a conditioning drill. Some were -- egads! -- walking for stretches. Others were -- the horror! -- lying on the ground, catching their breath or nursing an injury.
Buzea leaned over to an assistant and had a conversation that was as surreal as the sight.
What are they doing?
Well, they're tired, Coach.
What? So? You don't just stop! We don't do that! Get them up!
It was then -- mere minutes into that first workout -- that Buzea realized just what he had gotten himself into. He had left big Portage for small Michigan City. He had left disciplined Portage for sloppy Michigan City. He had left full-speed-at-all-times Portage for full-speed-when-we-feel-like-it-which-isn't-often Michigan City.
He had left the Duneland penthouse for the Duneland outhouse.
"Before, we practiced, but we didn't practice that hard," says four-year varsity tailback Adam Harmon. "We didn't really have to run hard all the time, go hard all the time. It didn't seem like people cared that much."
Buzea knew things had to change. The who-cares attitude players had toward losing. The why-bother attitude some of them had toward hard work and schoolwork. The never-heard-of-them attitude the community had toward the team. Not to mention the must-win-now attitude Buzea had toward football in general.
"When you talk to people who have rebuilt programs, at the high school or college level, they say you have to change the culture of a program," Buzea says. "After the past few years, I don't think there's any question about it."
It's halfway through Buzea's third season at Michigan City now, and it's quite clear that culture shift has occurred. And, of all things, it was a loss that cemented it.
Last week's 25-13 loss to Merrillville was a bellwether game for the Wolves. Not because they entered the game 4-0 for the first time in school history. Not because the Wolves led the uber-talented Pirates at halftime. Not because Ames Field had to bring in temporary bleachers and still ran out of seats.
No, it was the turning point because of how the Wolves reacted to the loss.
They were upset.
They were bothered.
They were mad.
They cared.
"Once kids and once a community is used to losing, losing doesn't hurt anymore," Buzea says. "When it starts hurting again, you know you've made some strides."
Changing the culture
From the time Elston and Rogers high schools consolidated to form Michigan City High School in 1995 to the time Buzea arrived at Ames Field, the Wolves had three winning seasons. Never won more than seven games. Went winless in the Duneland five times. Had just one winning conference record, a middling 4-3 in 2000.
Buzea didn't know if the losses led to the lackadaisical attitude he saw, or if the attitude led to the losses. Didn't matter. He knew the attitude had to change before the losing could stop. He knew losing had to hurt again.
So he and his coaching staff -- which includes former Portage head coach Bob Mattix, former Crown Point head coach Dave Egofske and former Greensburg head coach Eric Schreiber -- made losing hurt. Literally.
Everything in the offseason, everything in every practice, has a winner and a loser. Every drill. Every snap. Heck, they'd have two players grab the end of a towel. Whoever holds on to the towel wins. Whoever doesn't loses -- and has to do 20 push-ups.
"We had athletes, but we had never been pushed before," Harmon says. "Coach Buzea pushed us."
It showed. The Wolves weren't very successful in Buzea's first year, but they were improving. Everybody saw that. A year after going 1-9, closing with seven straight blowout losses, the Wolves went 2-8 in 2007, with three Duneland losses coming by a touchdown or less. Progress.
"The first year he got here, things picked up a little," says Purdue-bound senior lineman Ryan Issac. "But it was the second year that things really changed."
With a year of work on conditioning, on fundamentals, and on the attitude, the Wolves gained a lot of respect in 2008. They stumbled early after losing several key players to an off-the-field incident, but then ended a 20-game losing streak against Duneland foes with a 10-7 home win over Lake Central. They took Portage to overtime, then closed out the regular season with wins over LaPorte and Crown Point. They lost a hard-fought sectional opener at Chesterton.
And perhaps most importantly, the Wolves weren't satisfied. Two losses on the last play ate at them. The off-the-field problems kept them out of the conference title hunt. The one-and-done sectional effort hurt.
"I'm not a guy who thinks you gain a lot by losing," Buzea says. "But we had to go through some of those setbacks to understand what we had to do to be successful. We had to go through that last year to do what we've done this year."
Changing the coach
Here's the thing about Buzea -- the man doesn't lack for confidence.
He's the guy who walked into Michigan City athletic director Robert Falls office as a prospective coaching candidate and said two things would happen if Buzea were hired -- there wouldn't be enough parking outside Ames Field, and there wouldn't be enough bleachers inside Ames Field.
He's the guy who told anyone and everyone after he got the job, "I didn't come here to lose."
He's the guy who, frankly, thought this wouldn't be so hard. Like so many others in the region, he saw Michigan City as a sleeping giant. He was wrong.
"I had to become a realist," Buzea says. "Once I finally got over here and first got them on the field and saw how far behind they were fundamentally, how non-existent the discipline was, how conditioning wasn't even in their vocabulary -- we had a long way to go."
So Buzea couldn't be the fire-breathing earth-scorcher he was at Portage. He and his staff had to teach as much as coach -- stances, first steps, the very basics that Portage kids usually learned years earlier in the feeder system.
"More coaching is taking place than we had before," Falls says. "A lot of programs, you find there's a lot of yelling and screaming at the kids, and that's not happening here. It's constantly teaching, and the kids are buying into it."
Not that Buzea became a creampuff overnight. To City kids, he was still unlike anything they had ever seen.
"You could see that fire in his eyes on the first day," Harmon says. "We knew things were going to be different and that we'd get this program where it needed to be."
Sure, he drove some kids away that first summer. Plenty of others didn't even bother showing up, knowing Buzea's reputation. It was an uphill battle.
So Buzea had to lower his expectations -- no easy task for such a win-at-all-costs guy.
See, outsiders view Michigan City as a school where untapped Division I athletes are just roaming the hallways, waiting for the right coach to pluck them out of obscurity. But it's not like that. With just 1,900 kids, City's a small 5A school. Every week in DAC play, the Wolves file off the bus, about 50 strong, and see an opponent with 80 kids, 90 kids, 100 kids.
"The talent level here is not as good as at Portage," Buzea says, bluntly. "We may have a couple that can maybe be as good, but the depth isn't even close."
Heck, 10 of the 11 Michigan City defensive starters weigh less than 190 pounds. They look like a 3A school lined up across from a Merrillville or a Lake Central.
The good news is word is getting out. About a dozen kids have inquired about signing up since victories over Chesterton and Valparaiso this month.
"We're getting there," Buzea says.
Changing the community
Ames Field has long been a wasted marvel. The gorgeous brick structure north of the high school could pass for a small-college stadium. It's like Whiting's stadium, only bigger.
Problem is, for years, the crowds have been like tiny Whiting's, only smaller.
That has changed, too.
Buzea's 2007 pledge of inadequate parking and seating was realized Friday night against Merrillville. Thousands filed in. The band had to be moved to erect temporary bleachers. Cars parked on grass lots behind grocery stores. The place was full and rocking an hour and 15 minutes before kickoff.
"We haven't seen that in a long time," Falls says.
Even more impressive to Buzea have been the road games. Back when he was at Portage, the City game was often the Indians' homecoming. And there'd be maybe 25 or 30 Wolves fans scattered about the visiting stands at Portage.
"This year, when we went to Valparaiso after the Chesterton win, our community filled Valparaiso's visiting stands," Buzea says. "That's remarkable. Tears start welling up in your eyes. To see the community appreciate the hard work the kids are putting in, and to know how much the kids appreciate that -- that's what I thought could be done here. You'd come here to Ames as a visitor and think, man, if you could just get something going..."
Changing the future
Buzea's not ready to call it a turnaround. He knows 4-1 can become 4-5. He knows he could just be the beneficiary of an unusually talented class of seniors.
But he also knows the City junior varsity is 5-0 and just beat Merrillville ("Used to be 1-8 was a good year," he says). He knows that the culture of losing has been eliminated, that the kids care. He knows that the academic problems of the past -- about 40 kids were ineligible his first year, none this year -- are over.
The kids run hard all the time now. The fans show up every week now. And the losses? They hurt now.
The culture war -- passion vs. apathy, pride vs. indifference -- is over.
Buzea won.
"Coach Buzea came in here and changed the whole program," Isaac says. "Before, it didn't matter a lot if you lost. But now we work so hard. And when you work that hard, losing's not really optional anymore."
Contact Mark Lazerus at 648-3140 or mlazerus@post-trib.com. For more, visit blogs.post-trib.com/lazerus.
Players were -- gasp! -- going half-speed through a conditioning drill. Some were -- egads! -- walking for stretches. Others were -- the horror! -- lying on the ground, catching their breath or nursing an injury.
Buzea leaned over to an assistant and had a conversation that was as surreal as the sight.
What are they doing?
Well, they're tired, Coach.
What? So? You don't just stop! We don't do that! Get them up!
It was then -- mere minutes into that first workout -- that Buzea realized just what he had gotten himself into. He had left big Portage for small Michigan City. He had left disciplined Portage for sloppy Michigan City. He had left full-speed-at-all-times Portage for full-speed-when-we-feel-like-it-which-isn't-often Michigan City.
He had left the Duneland penthouse for the Duneland outhouse.
"Before, we practiced, but we didn't practice that hard," says four-year varsity tailback Adam Harmon. "We didn't really have to run hard all the time, go hard all the time. It didn't seem like people cared that much."
Buzea knew things had to change. The who-cares attitude players had toward losing. The why-bother attitude some of them had toward hard work and schoolwork. The never-heard-of-them attitude the community had toward the team. Not to mention the must-win-now attitude Buzea had toward football in general.
"When you talk to people who have rebuilt programs, at the high school or college level, they say you have to change the culture of a program," Buzea says. "After the past few years, I don't think there's any question about it."
It's halfway through Buzea's third season at Michigan City now, and it's quite clear that culture shift has occurred. And, of all things, it was a loss that cemented it.
Last week's 25-13 loss to Merrillville was a bellwether game for the Wolves. Not because they entered the game 4-0 for the first time in school history. Not because the Wolves led the uber-talented Pirates at halftime. Not because Ames Field had to bring in temporary bleachers and still ran out of seats.
No, it was the turning point because of how the Wolves reacted to the loss.
They were upset.
They were bothered.
They were mad.
They cared.
"Once kids and once a community is used to losing, losing doesn't hurt anymore," Buzea says. "When it starts hurting again, you know you've made some strides."
Changing the culture
From the time Elston and Rogers high schools consolidated to form Michigan City High School in 1995 to the time Buzea arrived at Ames Field, the Wolves had three winning seasons. Never won more than seven games. Went winless in the Duneland five times. Had just one winning conference record, a middling 4-3 in 2000.
Buzea didn't know if the losses led to the lackadaisical attitude he saw, or if the attitude led to the losses. Didn't matter. He knew the attitude had to change before the losing could stop. He knew losing had to hurt again.
So he and his coaching staff -- which includes former Portage head coach Bob Mattix, former Crown Point head coach Dave Egofske and former Greensburg head coach Eric Schreiber -- made losing hurt. Literally.
Everything in the offseason, everything in every practice, has a winner and a loser. Every drill. Every snap. Heck, they'd have two players grab the end of a towel. Whoever holds on to the towel wins. Whoever doesn't loses -- and has to do 20 push-ups.
"We had athletes, but we had never been pushed before," Harmon says. "Coach Buzea pushed us."
It showed. The Wolves weren't very successful in Buzea's first year, but they were improving. Everybody saw that. A year after going 1-9, closing with seven straight blowout losses, the Wolves went 2-8 in 2007, with three Duneland losses coming by a touchdown or less. Progress.
"The first year he got here, things picked up a little," says Purdue-bound senior lineman Ryan Issac. "But it was the second year that things really changed."
With a year of work on conditioning, on fundamentals, and on the attitude, the Wolves gained a lot of respect in 2008. They stumbled early after losing several key players to an off-the-field incident, but then ended a 20-game losing streak against Duneland foes with a 10-7 home win over Lake Central. They took Portage to overtime, then closed out the regular season with wins over LaPorte and Crown Point. They lost a hard-fought sectional opener at Chesterton.
And perhaps most importantly, the Wolves weren't satisfied. Two losses on the last play ate at them. The off-the-field problems kept them out of the conference title hunt. The one-and-done sectional effort hurt.
"I'm not a guy who thinks you gain a lot by losing," Buzea says. "But we had to go through some of those setbacks to understand what we had to do to be successful. We had to go through that last year to do what we've done this year."
Changing the coach
Here's the thing about Buzea -- the man doesn't lack for confidence.
He's the guy who walked into Michigan City athletic director Robert Falls office as a prospective coaching candidate and said two things would happen if Buzea were hired -- there wouldn't be enough parking outside Ames Field, and there wouldn't be enough bleachers inside Ames Field.
He's the guy who told anyone and everyone after he got the job, "I didn't come here to lose."
He's the guy who, frankly, thought this wouldn't be so hard. Like so many others in the region, he saw Michigan City as a sleeping giant. He was wrong.
"I had to become a realist," Buzea says. "Once I finally got over here and first got them on the field and saw how far behind they were fundamentally, how non-existent the discipline was, how conditioning wasn't even in their vocabulary -- we had a long way to go."
So Buzea couldn't be the fire-breathing earth-scorcher he was at Portage. He and his staff had to teach as much as coach -- stances, first steps, the very basics that Portage kids usually learned years earlier in the feeder system.
"More coaching is taking place than we had before," Falls says. "A lot of programs, you find there's a lot of yelling and screaming at the kids, and that's not happening here. It's constantly teaching, and the kids are buying into it."
Not that Buzea became a creampuff overnight. To City kids, he was still unlike anything they had ever seen.
"You could see that fire in his eyes on the first day," Harmon says. "We knew things were going to be different and that we'd get this program where it needed to be."
Sure, he drove some kids away that first summer. Plenty of others didn't even bother showing up, knowing Buzea's reputation. It was an uphill battle.
So Buzea had to lower his expectations -- no easy task for such a win-at-all-costs guy.
See, outsiders view Michigan City as a school where untapped Division I athletes are just roaming the hallways, waiting for the right coach to pluck them out of obscurity. But it's not like that. With just 1,900 kids, City's a small 5A school. Every week in DAC play, the Wolves file off the bus, about 50 strong, and see an opponent with 80 kids, 90 kids, 100 kids.
"The talent level here is not as good as at Portage," Buzea says, bluntly. "We may have a couple that can maybe be as good, but the depth isn't even close."
Heck, 10 of the 11 Michigan City defensive starters weigh less than 190 pounds. They look like a 3A school lined up across from a Merrillville or a Lake Central.
The good news is word is getting out. About a dozen kids have inquired about signing up since victories over Chesterton and Valparaiso this month.
"We're getting there," Buzea says.
Changing the community
Ames Field has long been a wasted marvel. The gorgeous brick structure north of the high school could pass for a small-college stadium. It's like Whiting's stadium, only bigger.
Problem is, for years, the crowds have been like tiny Whiting's, only smaller.
That has changed, too.
Buzea's 2007 pledge of inadequate parking and seating was realized Friday night against Merrillville. Thousands filed in. The band had to be moved to erect temporary bleachers. Cars parked on grass lots behind grocery stores. The place was full and rocking an hour and 15 minutes before kickoff.
"We haven't seen that in a long time," Falls says.
Even more impressive to Buzea have been the road games. Back when he was at Portage, the City game was often the Indians' homecoming. And there'd be maybe 25 or 30 Wolves fans scattered about the visiting stands at Portage.
"This year, when we went to Valparaiso after the Chesterton win, our community filled Valparaiso's visiting stands," Buzea says. "That's remarkable. Tears start welling up in your eyes. To see the community appreciate the hard work the kids are putting in, and to know how much the kids appreciate that -- that's what I thought could be done here. You'd come here to Ames as a visitor and think, man, if you could just get something going..."
Changing the future
Buzea's not ready to call it a turnaround. He knows 4-1 can become 4-5. He knows he could just be the beneficiary of an unusually talented class of seniors.
But he also knows the City junior varsity is 5-0 and just beat Merrillville ("Used to be 1-8 was a good year," he says). He knows that the culture of losing has been eliminated, that the kids care. He knows that the academic problems of the past -- about 40 kids were ineligible his first year, none this year -- are over.
The kids run hard all the time now. The fans show up every week now. And the losses? They hurt now.
The culture war -- passion vs. apathy, pride vs. indifference -- is over.
Buzea won.
"Coach Buzea came in here and changed the whole program," Isaac says. "Before, it didn't matter a lot if you lost. But now we work so hard. And when you work that hard, losing's not really optional anymore."
Contact Mark Lazerus at 648-3140 or mlazerus@post-trib.com. For more, visit blogs.post-trib.com/lazerus.
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 25 2009, 11:21 PM
What an inspirational article by Mark Lazerus in the Post-Trib!
Michigan City 21 Lake Central 13
Adam Harmon 215 yards on 28 carries (I believe)
Big game for Ryan Issac
Great job by sophomore quarterback Joel Hirsch.
Wolves now are alone in 2nd place in the DAC with La Porte and Portage losing last night.
Nice showing by the Michigan City fans who made the long trip and braved the drizzly damp weather.
I thought the best play someone from Lake Central made last night was that girl that played a solo on the fiddle when the marching band performed at half time.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 26 2009, 08:54 AM
It was a nice wrap up of our game I guess. Anyways, more than any game this year, I was really impressed by the playcalling. The team did a great job of making sure they didn't ask too much of Soph QB Joel Hirsch. They gave him a lot of swing passes and bubble screens, and heavy dose of Harmon and Harris out of the backfield. The defense looked very solid, except for stopping one guy, the big brusing back from LC. He just beat up the Wolves, especially in the 3rd and 4th quarters. You really got the feeling that the Wolves would have just blowing the Indians off of the field, if Rodney Washington had played, but as it is, they did what they needed to do to win, despite some big penalties and mistakes again. Special teams really did almost cost them this game, with the failure to cover a pooched kick off around their own 30 yard line, which gave the ball back to LC who trailed by 8 late in the game with a small chance to tie it up.
Regardless it is a W, and the Wolves go to a best ever 5-1 on the season. Next week is the final regular season home game of the years, which is against Portage.
Posted by: citycheercoach Sep 27 2009, 02:43 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Sep 25 2009, 02:33 PM)
http://www.post-trib.com/sports/highschools/1789863,tofbh-michcity-0925.highschool
Great article! Nice to see some positive coverage after the loss last week.
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 28 2009, 06:33 AM
This weeks 5A coaches poll:
INDIANA FOOTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION - CLASS 5A POLL 09/28/2009
RANK PREV RANK SCHOOL POINTS
1 2 Carmel 88 (2)
2 1 Penn 85 (6)
3 3 Warren Central 76 (2)
4 4 Columbus East 65
5 6 Ben Davis 59
6 5 Center Grove 57
7 7 Fishers 48
8 8 FW Snider 21
9 9 Mishawaka 20
10 10 Hamilton Southeastern 12
Others Receiving Votes
Merrillville - 8, Pike - 6, Homestead - 4, Michigan City - 1
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 28 2009, 07:47 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=26032
QUOTE
WOLVES SURVIVE
Michigan City 21, Lake Central 13
Adam Parkhouse
Staff Writer
ST. JOHN, Ind. - From the minute Michigan City stepped off the bus Friday night, it was in survival mode.
Without its starting quarterback, playing on grass for the first time this season - a surface that was devastated by rain - and playing on the road in the Duneland Conference might be enough adversity to choke any team.
But City found a way, holding off a late Lake Central charge to escape with a 21-13 victory in a game that probably ended up closer than it should have been.
"It's a good thing when Michigan City football players are unhappy with a 21-13 win on the road," City coach Craig Buzea said.
As it turned out, City was without starting quarterback Rodney Washington, who's out with an undisclosed injury. Buzea wouldn't say how long the junior would be out of action.
But with sophomore Joel Hirsch under center - and senior running back Adam Harmon in the backfield - the Wolves had plenty to get the win.
Harmon had a terrific all-around game, rushing 24 times for 213 yards and all three City touchdowns. He also caught four passes for 35 yards and completed 1-of-2 passes for another 21 yards.
"We worked hard in practice and we knew Joel could do it and step up to the next level," Harmon said. "We had faith in him."
Hirsch did a nice job in his first varsity start, completing 7-of-11 passes for 80 yards and an interception.
But early on, it was clear that Harmon was the focal point of City's gameplan.
"We told the offensive line we wanted 300 (yards for Harmon)," Buzea said. "I thought our offensive line really came alive tonight."
He didn't quite get there, but a 51-yard touchdown run on City's third play from scrimmage put the Wolves (5-1, 3-1 Duneland) well on their way.
Then, in the second quarter, City capitalized on a Lake Central fumble - recovered by Giorgio Karallas - with a 20-yard touchdown run from Harmon, putting City up 14-0 heading into the half.
Lake Central (1-5, 0-4 DAC) got the ball to start the third quarter and instantly put itself back into the game. The scoring drive lasted 14 plays and took 7:20 off the clock, capped off by Tony Albomonte's 1-yard touchdown run.
City needed an answer, and got one quickly. It took the Wolves just three plays and 51 seconds to drive 69 yards, as Harmon streaked 42 yards to the house to put City on top 21-7.
The Indians weren't quite done yet. Lake Central's Danny Trzupek came up with an interception in the end zone, giving the Indians credit after the Wolves threatened to put the game away early in the fourth quarter.
"We had our opportunities to blow this thing open early ... We tried to do some things we probably shouldn't have just trying to let some others get involved in the game," Buzea said. "It just backfired on us."
That drive turned into Lake Central's second turnover of the night, a fumble from Tanner Redlarczyk that was recovered by City's Ryan Isaac at the City 35-yard line.
The Wolves had to punt, but Lake Central had plenty of work to do down two scores with less than six minutes to play.
Then, on a second-and-long play, City was flagged for roughing the passer. On the next play, Lake Central quarterback Ryan Hennessey hooked up with Andy Arellano for a 36-yard touchdown, making the score 21-13 after City blocked the extra point.
The Indians went with a pooch kickoff, and recovered after the ball bounced around at the City 25-yard line.
However, two plays later, Hennessey's option pitch to Redlarczyk hit the turf. Tyree Wright recovered for City and the Wolves were able to run out the clock for the win. It was Lake Central's 18th turnover in six games this season.
Afterward, Buzea spoke well of his sophomore QB.
"Joel had the best week of practice I've seen in a quarterback since Nick Wellman in 1995," Buzea said. "It was good to get his feet wet. I think he had one bad throw, but he'll get better."
Harmon was happy to see his team get back on track after the loss to Merrillville, adding, "Last week was a wakeup call for us."
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 46
Michigan City 21, Lake Central 13
Adam Parkhouse
Staff Writer
ST. JOHN, Ind. - From the minute Michigan City stepped off the bus Friday night, it was in survival mode.
Without its starting quarterback, playing on grass for the first time this season - a surface that was devastated by rain - and playing on the road in the Duneland Conference might be enough adversity to choke any team.
But City found a way, holding off a late Lake Central charge to escape with a 21-13 victory in a game that probably ended up closer than it should have been.
"It's a good thing when Michigan City football players are unhappy with a 21-13 win on the road," City coach Craig Buzea said.
As it turned out, City was without starting quarterback Rodney Washington, who's out with an undisclosed injury. Buzea wouldn't say how long the junior would be out of action.
But with sophomore Joel Hirsch under center - and senior running back Adam Harmon in the backfield - the Wolves had plenty to get the win.
Harmon had a terrific all-around game, rushing 24 times for 213 yards and all three City touchdowns. He also caught four passes for 35 yards and completed 1-of-2 passes for another 21 yards.
"We worked hard in practice and we knew Joel could do it and step up to the next level," Harmon said. "We had faith in him."
Hirsch did a nice job in his first varsity start, completing 7-of-11 passes for 80 yards and an interception.
But early on, it was clear that Harmon was the focal point of City's gameplan.
"We told the offensive line we wanted 300 (yards for Harmon)," Buzea said. "I thought our offensive line really came alive tonight."
He didn't quite get there, but a 51-yard touchdown run on City's third play from scrimmage put the Wolves (5-1, 3-1 Duneland) well on their way.
Then, in the second quarter, City capitalized on a Lake Central fumble - recovered by Giorgio Karallas - with a 20-yard touchdown run from Harmon, putting City up 14-0 heading into the half.
Lake Central (1-5, 0-4 DAC) got the ball to start the third quarter and instantly put itself back into the game. The scoring drive lasted 14 plays and took 7:20 off the clock, capped off by Tony Albomonte's 1-yard touchdown run.
City needed an answer, and got one quickly. It took the Wolves just three plays and 51 seconds to drive 69 yards, as Harmon streaked 42 yards to the house to put City on top 21-7.
The Indians weren't quite done yet. Lake Central's Danny Trzupek came up with an interception in the end zone, giving the Indians credit after the Wolves threatened to put the game away early in the fourth quarter.
"We had our opportunities to blow this thing open early ... We tried to do some things we probably shouldn't have just trying to let some others get involved in the game," Buzea said. "It just backfired on us."
That drive turned into Lake Central's second turnover of the night, a fumble from Tanner Redlarczyk that was recovered by City's Ryan Isaac at the City 35-yard line.
The Wolves had to punt, but Lake Central had plenty of work to do down two scores with less than six minutes to play.
Then, on a second-and-long play, City was flagged for roughing the passer. On the next play, Lake Central quarterback Ryan Hennessey hooked up with Andy Arellano for a 36-yard touchdown, making the score 21-13 after City blocked the extra point.
The Indians went with a pooch kickoff, and recovered after the ball bounced around at the City 25-yard line.
However, two plays later, Hennessey's option pitch to Redlarczyk hit the turf. Tyree Wright recovered for City and the Wolves were able to run out the clock for the win. It was Lake Central's 18th turnover in six games this season.
Afterward, Buzea spoke well of his sophomore QB.
"Joel had the best week of practice I've seen in a quarterback since Nick Wellman in 1995," Buzea said. "It was good to get his feet wet. I think he had one bad throw, but he'll get better."
Harmon was happy to see his team get back on track after the loss to Merrillville, adding, "Last week was a wakeup call for us."
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 46
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 28 2009, 07:50 AM
http://www.post-trib.com/sports/highschools/1791607,Harmon-leads-MC-926.article
QUOTE
Harmon leads Michigan City over Lake Central
September 26, 2009By John O’Malley, Post-Tribune correspondent
ST. JOHN — Michigan City backup quarterback Joel Hirsch managed the game.
Wolves senior running back Adam Harmon dominated it.
Harmon rushed for 214 yards on 23 carries and scored 20 points — on touchdown runs of 51, 20 and 42 yards — and added a 2-point conversion — to single-handedly spoil Lake Central's homecoming and lead the Wolves to a 21-13 Duneland Athletic Conference win Friday night.
The only mistake Harmon made came when he threw a first-half interception out of the Wildcat formation.
"I haven't really thrown the ball since my freshman year,'' said Harmon, as he jokingly begged Michigan City coach Craig Buzea to allow him to throw it again soon.
Buzea, of course, smiled slightly and shook his head as if to say no.
"It was fun playing quarterback. It's something that's different for the defense.''
Harmon gave LC's defense all it could handle with his strength, speed and quickness.
"Geez O-Pete, he's a hell of a football player,'' Indians' coach Bill Melby said. "He's special. He has that shake. He runs that dart play better than anyone. It's a thing of beauty.''
Lake Central (1-5, 0-4) trailed 14-0 at halftime, before rallying behind junior running back Tanner Redlarczyk in the second half.
Redlarczyk, who rushed for 143 yards on 21 carries, churned for 46 yards on a 63-yard drive to open the third period.
Redlarczyk's rushing helped set up a 1-yard TD run by Tony Albomonte that helped LC cut the Wolves' lead to 14-7.
After Harmon raced 42 yards for his third TD to give the Wolves a 21-7 lead, the Indians closed within 21-13 after Ryan Hennessey hooked up with Andy Arellano on a 36-yard scoring pass.
The Indians' Erik Bisson — who had his extra point kick blocked after Arellano's TD — then pooched the kickoff and Lake Central recovered at the Wolves' 25.
"We had a sophomore back there and he didn't react well to that situation,'' Buzea said. "That's my fault.''
Melby said Bisson's pooch kick wasn't an onside kick.
The Indians advanced the ball to the MC 20, but Hennessey's pitch to Adam Brown ended up loose on the ground and Tyree Wright recovered with just under four minutes to thwart LC's chance to perhaps tie the game.
"I'm very proud of this team,'' Melby said. "A lot of people wrote us off. Some gave up on us. We had great effort tonight. It just didn't happen for whatever reason, but our kids fought their tails off.''
The Wolves (5-1, 3-1) rebounded from last week's home loss to Merrillville, even without starting quarterback Rodney Washington. Washington sat out Friday night's game with an upper body injury, reportedly his shoulder.
In his absence, Hirsch was nearly flawless. He threw an interception in the end zone early in the fourth period, but otherwise managed the game well and rode Harmon's performance to help engineer the win.
"I thought he did excellent,'' Buzea said. "He was neck and neck with Rodney all summer. He probably had the best week of practice of any quarterback I've ever had since Nick Wellman in '95.''
Said Harmon: "We had faith in (Joel). We all helped him all the way. Our line did a good job of blocking. Even though they did some different stunts, we still got the holes we needed.''
September 26, 2009By John O’Malley, Post-Tribune correspondent
ST. JOHN — Michigan City backup quarterback Joel Hirsch managed the game.
Wolves senior running back Adam Harmon dominated it.
Harmon rushed for 214 yards on 23 carries and scored 20 points — on touchdown runs of 51, 20 and 42 yards — and added a 2-point conversion — to single-handedly spoil Lake Central's homecoming and lead the Wolves to a 21-13 Duneland Athletic Conference win Friday night.
The only mistake Harmon made came when he threw a first-half interception out of the Wildcat formation.
"I haven't really thrown the ball since my freshman year,'' said Harmon, as he jokingly begged Michigan City coach Craig Buzea to allow him to throw it again soon.
Buzea, of course, smiled slightly and shook his head as if to say no.
"It was fun playing quarterback. It's something that's different for the defense.''
Harmon gave LC's defense all it could handle with his strength, speed and quickness.
"Geez O-Pete, he's a hell of a football player,'' Indians' coach Bill Melby said. "He's special. He has that shake. He runs that dart play better than anyone. It's a thing of beauty.''
Lake Central (1-5, 0-4) trailed 14-0 at halftime, before rallying behind junior running back Tanner Redlarczyk in the second half.
Redlarczyk, who rushed for 143 yards on 21 carries, churned for 46 yards on a 63-yard drive to open the third period.
Redlarczyk's rushing helped set up a 1-yard TD run by Tony Albomonte that helped LC cut the Wolves' lead to 14-7.
After Harmon raced 42 yards for his third TD to give the Wolves a 21-7 lead, the Indians closed within 21-13 after Ryan Hennessey hooked up with Andy Arellano on a 36-yard scoring pass.
The Indians' Erik Bisson — who had his extra point kick blocked after Arellano's TD — then pooched the kickoff and Lake Central recovered at the Wolves' 25.
"We had a sophomore back there and he didn't react well to that situation,'' Buzea said. "That's my fault.''
Melby said Bisson's pooch kick wasn't an onside kick.
The Indians advanced the ball to the MC 20, but Hennessey's pitch to Adam Brown ended up loose on the ground and Tyree Wright recovered with just under four minutes to thwart LC's chance to perhaps tie the game.
"I'm very proud of this team,'' Melby said. "A lot of people wrote us off. Some gave up on us. We had great effort tonight. It just didn't happen for whatever reason, but our kids fought their tails off.''
The Wolves (5-1, 3-1) rebounded from last week's home loss to Merrillville, even without starting quarterback Rodney Washington. Washington sat out Friday night's game with an upper body injury, reportedly his shoulder.
In his absence, Hirsch was nearly flawless. He threw an interception in the end zone early in the fourth period, but otherwise managed the game well and rode Harmon's performance to help engineer the win.
"I thought he did excellent,'' Buzea said. "He was neck and neck with Rodney all summer. He probably had the best week of practice of any quarterback I've ever had since Nick Wellman in '95.''
Said Harmon: "We had faith in (Joel). We all helped him all the way. Our line did a good job of blocking. Even though they did some different stunts, we still got the holes we needed.''
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 28 2009, 07:53 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=26041
QUOTE
Winning Is Good Enough
Home Cookin'
Adam Parkhouse
Sports Editor, The News-Dispatch
Not all wins are created equal, but they all count the same in the standings.
I came up with that all by myself. Aren't you impressed? Well, maybe I saw it somewhere else. Whatever.
The point is, it applies pretty well to Michigan City's football team.
Sometimes, you just have to get the win. City did that Friday at Lake Central, even though the game got closer than it ever should have been.
Make no mistake about it, the Wolves were the dominant team on Lake Central's rain-soaked field. They moved the ball at will, and for the most part stopped the Indians from doing the same.
At halftime, City easily should have been up by three or four scores, but led only 14-0. I've seen enough games to know that that can turn into disaster.
When Lake Central marched down the field on the opening possession of the second half for a touchdown, I feared this might be one of those games.
But the Wolves answered and then hung on for the win, dodging a late bullet after the Indians recovered a pooched onside kick.
It's OK, though. City had a lot going against it in this game. The Wolves were playing on a grass surface for the first time this season; all-day rain had rendered the field slick and muddy and starting quarterback Rodney Washington was out with an injury.
Factor in that City was coming off a tough loss that many players may have had a hard time getting over and all the ingredients were present for a letdown.
But it didn't happen. City persevered and got out of there with the win.
There were no style points. Nothing that will impress the pollsters. Just a win.
Sometimes, that's good enough.
Home Cookin'
Adam Parkhouse
Sports Editor, The News-Dispatch
Not all wins are created equal, but they all count the same in the standings.
I came up with that all by myself. Aren't you impressed? Well, maybe I saw it somewhere else. Whatever.
The point is, it applies pretty well to Michigan City's football team.
Sometimes, you just have to get the win. City did that Friday at Lake Central, even though the game got closer than it ever should have been.
Make no mistake about it, the Wolves were the dominant team on Lake Central's rain-soaked field. They moved the ball at will, and for the most part stopped the Indians from doing the same.
At halftime, City easily should have been up by three or four scores, but led only 14-0. I've seen enough games to know that that can turn into disaster.
When Lake Central marched down the field on the opening possession of the second half for a touchdown, I feared this might be one of those games.
But the Wolves answered and then hung on for the win, dodging a late bullet after the Indians recovered a pooched onside kick.
It's OK, though. City had a lot going against it in this game. The Wolves were playing on a grass surface for the first time this season; all-day rain had rendered the field slick and muddy and starting quarterback Rodney Washington was out with an injury.
Factor in that City was coming off a tough loss that many players may have had a hard time getting over and all the ingredients were present for a letdown.
But it didn't happen. City persevered and got out of there with the win.
There were no style points. Nothing that will impress the pollsters. Just a win.
Sometimes, that's good enough.
Posted by: taxthedeer Sep 29 2009, 12:34 PM
I thought another interesting score from Friday night was Penn 16 South Bend Washington 14.
It appears that the Kingsmen needed a last second field goal to pull off the win (sounds like DeJa Vu from week 2). I hope the Wolves are back to full strength come sectional time.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Sep 30 2009, 07:15 AM
It was very interesting. Especially if you think that we only gave up 10 points to that same Washington offense, and Penn is the #1 team in the state.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Oct 1 2009, 08:02 AM
http://www.regionsports.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2373&Itemid=329
QUOTE
FOOTBALL: Week #7 Game Previews PDF Print E-mail
Written by RSN Staff
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
#6 Portage (3-3, 2-2) at #4 Michigan City (5-1, 3-1)
When: Friday, October 2nd – 7:00 PM
Where: Ames Field in Michigan City
Last Week: Chesterton 31 Portage 28
Michigan City 21 Lake Central 13
Last Season: Portage 20 Michigan City 14 OT
Last 10 Meetings: Portage has won 9 of the last 10
All Time Series: Portage has won 14 out of 15
Favorite: Michigan City
Radio: 1270 AM WWCA & Regionsports.com
Game Notes: Coach Buzea and his Michigan City Wolves will be looking for their first win over Portage since he took the reins of the program he left after the 2005 season. The Wolves enter this game with a ton of momentum on the season and a firm grasp on second in the Duneland Conference. This Wolves team is led by RB Adam Harmon and his 764 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the season. Harmon carried the weight last week as the Wolves won, despite starting QB Rodney Washington being unavailable for the game. Ryan Issac anchors a defense which has been impressive all season and was strong last week against LC.
Portage was a mere four yards from being 4-2 on the season, instead of 3-3, as their comeback win ended just short last week against Chesterton. The Indians are stuck at 2-2 in conference play with a few other teams and would love to drag the Wolves back towards the pile. QB Zac Houston continues to make plays for the Indians and he leads this team in rushing with over 600 yards on the season. The Portage defense continues to struggle against the run and it was their downfall last week against Chesterton.
Breakdown: These are two of the more athletic teams in the conference and Friday’s game should be an exciting, high-scoring affair. Harmon and Houston are two of the better runners in the conference and they will have plenty of opportunities to run wild. Even if Washington is back for Michigan City, they will be looking to take advantage of the Portage run defense with Adam Harmon. If the Indians want things to be different this week, the linebackers will have to do a better job of filling the rushing gaps. Expect Adam Harmon to have plenty of room to run though and he should have another big game on Friday night.
Portage will be hoping this game turns into a shootout and will be looking for Houston and RB Jake Dixon to outscore the Wolves. The tandem has rushed for nearly 1100 yards on the season, and has scored most of touchdowns for the Portage offense this season. They drive the Portage offense and will need to have big nights against the Wolves. Dixon is also part of a secondary that is one of the better ones in the DAC. The Indians have the ability to make the Wolves one-dimensional, which is why the key to this game is the Portage front seven. If the defense is able to stop the run then Portage will have a good shot at pulling the upset.
These two spread teams will light up the scoreboard and if you’re looking for an entertaining game on Friday night then I would recommend heading up to Ames Field or listening in on 1270 AM or Regionsports.com. Michigan City needs this one to keep pace with Merrillville and the Indians will be looking to knock Michigan City out of the Duneland race. This game will be close, but the run defense of Portage will be the deciding factor in this one and I don’t think they will be able to stop Harmon enough for the Indians to knock off Michigan City.
Mike Bryant Says: Michigan City 28 Portage 21
Written by RSN Staff
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
#6 Portage (3-3, 2-2) at #4 Michigan City (5-1, 3-1)
When: Friday, October 2nd – 7:00 PM
Where: Ames Field in Michigan City
Last Week: Chesterton 31 Portage 28
Michigan City 21 Lake Central 13
Last Season: Portage 20 Michigan City 14 OT
Last 10 Meetings: Portage has won 9 of the last 10
All Time Series: Portage has won 14 out of 15
Favorite: Michigan City
Radio: 1270 AM WWCA & Regionsports.com
Game Notes: Coach Buzea and his Michigan City Wolves will be looking for their first win over Portage since he took the reins of the program he left after the 2005 season. The Wolves enter this game with a ton of momentum on the season and a firm grasp on second in the Duneland Conference. This Wolves team is led by RB Adam Harmon and his 764 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the season. Harmon carried the weight last week as the Wolves won, despite starting QB Rodney Washington being unavailable for the game. Ryan Issac anchors a defense which has been impressive all season and was strong last week against LC.
Portage was a mere four yards from being 4-2 on the season, instead of 3-3, as their comeback win ended just short last week against Chesterton. The Indians are stuck at 2-2 in conference play with a few other teams and would love to drag the Wolves back towards the pile. QB Zac Houston continues to make plays for the Indians and he leads this team in rushing with over 600 yards on the season. The Portage defense continues to struggle against the run and it was their downfall last week against Chesterton.
Breakdown: These are two of the more athletic teams in the conference and Friday’s game should be an exciting, high-scoring affair. Harmon and Houston are two of the better runners in the conference and they will have plenty of opportunities to run wild. Even if Washington is back for Michigan City, they will be looking to take advantage of the Portage run defense with Adam Harmon. If the Indians want things to be different this week, the linebackers will have to do a better job of filling the rushing gaps. Expect Adam Harmon to have plenty of room to run though and he should have another big game on Friday night.
Portage will be hoping this game turns into a shootout and will be looking for Houston and RB Jake Dixon to outscore the Wolves. The tandem has rushed for nearly 1100 yards on the season, and has scored most of touchdowns for the Portage offense this season. They drive the Portage offense and will need to have big nights against the Wolves. Dixon is also part of a secondary that is one of the better ones in the DAC. The Indians have the ability to make the Wolves one-dimensional, which is why the key to this game is the Portage front seven. If the defense is able to stop the run then Portage will have a good shot at pulling the upset.
These two spread teams will light up the scoreboard and if you’re looking for an entertaining game on Friday night then I would recommend heading up to Ames Field or listening in on 1270 AM or Regionsports.com. Michigan City needs this one to keep pace with Merrillville and the Indians will be looking to knock Michigan City out of the Duneland race. This game will be close, but the run defense of Portage will be the deciding factor in this one and I don’t think they will be able to stop Harmon enough for the Indians to knock off Michigan City.
Mike Bryant Says: Michigan City 28 Portage 21
Posted by: southsider2k9 Oct 1 2009, 08:07 AM
http://www.southbendtribune.com/article/20091001/SPORTS11/910019982/1001/Sports
QUOTE
Portage (3-3, 2-2 DAC) at Michigan City (5-1, 3-1 DAC): Wolves’ coach Craig Buzea posted a 107-45 record at Portage from 1994 to 2006. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 35, Portage 30
Posted by: southsider2k9 Oct 1 2009, 09:56 AM
Folks we have a very special treat for all of you who listen to the Wolves on WIMS. THE John "Records" Landecker will be joining myself (Michael Gresham) and Adam Parkhouse to make his football broadcasting debut. Yes, a man who is in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame as a radio broadcaster will be bringing you the play by play Friday night of the Wolves versus Portage High School.
So even if you are going out to Ames Field for senior night, I encourage you to bring a walkman and listen in to a once in a lifetime event. If you can't check into WIMS for rebroadcast times, and for the podcast of the football game. (also FWIW, all of this seasons broadcasts are on-line now for downloading at WIMSradio.com)
I am honored to get to be lucky enough to do this, and I know Adam is pretty excited as well. Tune in live at about 10 til 7 pm for the debut of John Landecker in the football booth, along with Adam and I, who will bring you every snap this game live!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Oct 1 2009, 10:24 AM
http://www.ihsaasports.org/news/Story.aspx?ID=1138553
QUOTE
DRAW DATE SET FOR FOOTBALL STATE TOURNAMENT
9/10/2009
Pairings for the 37th Annual IHSAA Football State Tournament presented by the Indianapolis Colts will be drawn on Tuesday, Oct. 13, beginning at 6 pm ET / 5 pm CT. This year’s draw will originate from the Colts headquarters, the Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance Football Center, at 7001 W. 56th Street in Indianapolis.
First round matchups will be announced during the 90-minute State Tournament Pairings Show which will be webcast at www.ihsaasports.org and carried on the IHSAA/Methodist Sports Medicine Championship Radio Network. Bob Lovell and Paul Condry will serve as hosts. A complete list of radio network affiliates will be announced in the days leading up to the draw.
9/10/2009
Pairings for the 37th Annual IHSAA Football State Tournament presented by the Indianapolis Colts will be drawn on Tuesday, Oct. 13, beginning at 6 pm ET / 5 pm CT. This year’s draw will originate from the Colts headquarters, the Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance Football Center, at 7001 W. 56th Street in Indianapolis.
First round matchups will be announced during the 90-minute State Tournament Pairings Show which will be webcast at www.ihsaasports.org and carried on the IHSAA/Methodist Sports Medicine Championship Radio Network. Bob Lovell and Paul Condry will serve as hosts. A complete list of radio network affiliates will be announced in the days leading up to the draw.
City is in a sectional with #1 Penn, Mishawaka, LaPorte, Elkhart Memorial, Goshen, Elkhart Central, and SB Adams.
Posted by: adam78sc Oct 3 2009, 07:53 AM
wow last night sure sucked. of all the teams i was hoping they would beat this year it was Portage. I didnt think Portage had a chance going in. Our defense held them when they had to but our offense just could not execute. Especially that last drive. I thought they would run all over their defense. hopefully we can take these last two conference games
Posted by: southsider2k9 Oct 3 2009, 08:26 AM
Portage did a really good job of adjusting to our running game. They started stuffing the box with defenders and dared Joel Hirsch to beat them. Unfortunately he could not do it.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Oct 5 2009, 07:34 AM
CONF. PTS OPP ALL PTS OPP
Merrillville 5- 0 178 61 6- 1 222 124
Chesterton 3- 2 153 115 5- 2 225 115
Michigan City 3- 2 105 97 5- 2 181 107
Portage 3- 2 146 121 4- 3 192 156
LaPorte 2- 3 108 130 4- 3 196 171
Crown Point 2- 3 107 175 3- 4 121 201
Valparaiso 2- 3 136 128 3- 4 187 155
Lake Central 0- 5 54 160 1- 6 78 188
Posted by: southsider2k9 Oct 5 2009, 08:01 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=26169
QUOTE
NO EXCUSES FOR MC
H.S. Football: Portage 21, Michigan City 19
Adam Parkhouse
Staff Writer
MICHIGAN CITY - In any close game, the losing team can typically point to any number of reasons why it lost.
For Michigan City, excuses could range from having an injured quarterback and kicker to some lucky bounces that went Portage's way in the Indians' 21-19 win at Ames Field.
But for coach Craig Buzea, it all came down to one thing.
"We just didn't execute," Buzea said. "They had a couple kids that made plays."
City was once again without the services of junior quarterback Rodney Washington, who dressed but did not play. Sophomore Joel Hirsch was 11-for-26 passing for 144 yards and two touchdowns in his place.
But it was once again senior running back Adam Harmon who shouldered the load for City. He blew past 1,000 yards for the season, picking up 249 yards on 34 carries, single-handedly outgaining Portage.
For the year, Harmon has 1,175 yards rushing.
In the first quarter, it looked like this game would turn into a shootout. Portage went 58 yards on five plays in 1:39 for its opening touchdown, and City needed just four plays before Harmon busted loose for a 65-yard touchdown to tie the game up at 7-7 with 9:30 left in the first.
Portage went three-and-out on its next drive and City (5-2, 3-2 Duneland) once again moved the ball at will. Hirsch hooked up with Harmon for a 10-yard touchdown pass. But on what turned out to be a key play in the game, junior kicker Dustin Rivich missed the extra point.
Just more than a minute later, Portage continued the early track meet when Jake Dixon sprinted 47 yards for his second touchdown of the game, giving the Indians (4-3, 3-2 DAC) a 14-13 lead.
"That's not exactly how we wanted it to go," Buzea said of the frenetic pace early. From that point on, the defenses took over. Harmon, who had 154 yards on his first nine carries, gained just 95 on his final 25 attempts.
The Indians would get just seven first downs for the game, including only two in the second half.
In the second quarter, Hirsch found Tracy Rivera wide open behind the Portage secondary for a 63-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion attempt failed, and City led 19-14 at the half.
City went three-and-out to start the second half. Then, with 9:30 left, Portage ran an option to the left and City stuffed quarterback Zach Huston, presumably for a big loss.
But just before going down, Huston dangerously pitched the ball to Dixon. With all City's focus on Huston, Dixon had nothing but green in front of him and ran in for what turned out to be the game-winning score.
"That's the plus of (Huston and Dixon) having played together since Pop Warner," Portage coach Mark Peterson said. "When (Huston) came off the field I think I said, 'Great play, don't do it again.'"
There would be no more scoring the rest of the way, but City had plenty of chances.
The Wolves were on the move in the fourth quarter, but a bad snap inside Portage's 25-yard line was recovered by Portage.
Two minutes later, City's Phil Taylor intercepted a Huston pass, but City lost time and yards in the transaction. Worse yet, just seconds later City burned its final timeout after having communication issues with the booth.
Penalties backed City up to a second-and-30, which turned into a Portage interception at its own 20-yard-line.
City's defense held once again, forcing a three-and-out and giving the Wolves first-and-10 at the Portage 37 with 2:32 to go after a 15-yard Harmon punt return.
The first play was a 2-yard loss for Harmon which was followed by an incomplete pass.
On third-and-12, Hirsch heaved the ball deep, but the ball went off the hands of senior wideout Blake Surface inside the Portage 10-yard line. Hirsch's fourth-down pass was well off the mark to Rivera, sending City to the tough loss.
Though disappointed, Buzea knows this loss isn't the end of the line for City's remarkable season.
"Ultimately, we've just gotta suck it up," Buzea said. "Our kids will bounce back. We can still break the school record for wins in a season."
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
H.S. Football: Portage 21, Michigan City 19
Adam Parkhouse
Staff Writer
MICHIGAN CITY - In any close game, the losing team can typically point to any number of reasons why it lost.
For Michigan City, excuses could range from having an injured quarterback and kicker to some lucky bounces that went Portage's way in the Indians' 21-19 win at Ames Field.
But for coach Craig Buzea, it all came down to one thing.
"We just didn't execute," Buzea said. "They had a couple kids that made plays."
City was once again without the services of junior quarterback Rodney Washington, who dressed but did not play. Sophomore Joel Hirsch was 11-for-26 passing for 144 yards and two touchdowns in his place.
But it was once again senior running back Adam Harmon who shouldered the load for City. He blew past 1,000 yards for the season, picking up 249 yards on 34 carries, single-handedly outgaining Portage.
For the year, Harmon has 1,175 yards rushing.
In the first quarter, it looked like this game would turn into a shootout. Portage went 58 yards on five plays in 1:39 for its opening touchdown, and City needed just four plays before Harmon busted loose for a 65-yard touchdown to tie the game up at 7-7 with 9:30 left in the first.
Portage went three-and-out on its next drive and City (5-2, 3-2 Duneland) once again moved the ball at will. Hirsch hooked up with Harmon for a 10-yard touchdown pass. But on what turned out to be a key play in the game, junior kicker Dustin Rivich missed the extra point.
Just more than a minute later, Portage continued the early track meet when Jake Dixon sprinted 47 yards for his second touchdown of the game, giving the Indians (4-3, 3-2 DAC) a 14-13 lead.
"That's not exactly how we wanted it to go," Buzea said of the frenetic pace early. From that point on, the defenses took over. Harmon, who had 154 yards on his first nine carries, gained just 95 on his final 25 attempts.
The Indians would get just seven first downs for the game, including only two in the second half.
In the second quarter, Hirsch found Tracy Rivera wide open behind the Portage secondary for a 63-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion attempt failed, and City led 19-14 at the half.
City went three-and-out to start the second half. Then, with 9:30 left, Portage ran an option to the left and City stuffed quarterback Zach Huston, presumably for a big loss.
But just before going down, Huston dangerously pitched the ball to Dixon. With all City's focus on Huston, Dixon had nothing but green in front of him and ran in for what turned out to be the game-winning score.
"That's the plus of (Huston and Dixon) having played together since Pop Warner," Portage coach Mark Peterson said. "When (Huston) came off the field I think I said, 'Great play, don't do it again.'"
There would be no more scoring the rest of the way, but City had plenty of chances.
The Wolves were on the move in the fourth quarter, but a bad snap inside Portage's 25-yard line was recovered by Portage.
Two minutes later, City's Phil Taylor intercepted a Huston pass, but City lost time and yards in the transaction. Worse yet, just seconds later City burned its final timeout after having communication issues with the booth.
Penalties backed City up to a second-and-30, which turned into a Portage interception at its own 20-yard-line.
City's defense held once again, forcing a three-and-out and giving the Wolves first-and-10 at the Portage 37 with 2:32 to go after a 15-yard Harmon punt return.
The first play was a 2-yard loss for Harmon which was followed by an incomplete pass.
On third-and-12, Hirsch heaved the ball deep, but the ball went off the hands of senior wideout Blake Surface inside the Portage 10-yard line. Hirsch's fourth-down pass was well off the mark to Rivera, sending City to the tough loss.
Though disappointed, Buzea knows this loss isn't the end of the line for City's remarkable season.
"Ultimately, we've just gotta suck it up," Buzea said. "Our kids will bounce back. We can still break the school record for wins in a season."
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Oct 5 2009, 10:36 AM
We talked about this play as it happened. I can't believe it worked.
http://www.post-trib.com/sports/highschools/1804090,fbh-port-mc-1003.article
QUOTE
Risky play pays off as Portage tops MC
Huston's pitch to Dixon results in game-winning 44-yard touchdown
October 3, 2009BY TOM WYATT Post-Tribune correspondent
MICHIGAN CITY -- Zach Huston shouldn't have made the pitch. The Portage quarterback should have gone down. He should have taken the loss and lifted himself off the ground to try again on third down.
But Huston didn't. And good thing, too, for the Indians.
With Michigan City defenders wrapped around him, on his back and in his ear, and with his momentum heading toward the turf, Huston made what appeared to be an ill-advised pitch to running back Jake Dixon on a second-and-4 play early in the third quarter.
But after a Wolves defender nearly snatched the ball out of midair, Dixon took it and dashed 44 yards for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown in a 21-19 Duneland Conference upset of Michigan City on Friday at Ames Field.
"With Zach, you never know when he's going to pitch or not," Dixon said. "I just stayed with him. My blockers did their job downfield, and I just took care of the rest."
It was a gutsy play but nearly disastrous in a game that had all the makings of an offensive shootout in the early going before turning into a defensive standoff.
"Those two have played together since Pop Warner," Portage coach Mark Peterson said of Dixon and Huston. "They have an awareness. I told Zach when he came off the field, 'Great play. Don't do it again.' "
Dixon carried 14 times for 177 yards, scoring all three Indians touchdowns as Michigan City coach Craig Buzea lost to his former team for the third time in three tries since leaving Portage to take over the Wolves program in 2007.
"This gives us a confidence boost, especially after last week," said Dixon, referring to a gut-wrenching three-point loss to Chesterton a week ago. "We came in here and took care of business."
Michigan City, playing without junior quarterback Rodney Washington for the second straight week, asked senior running back Adam Harmon to carry the load. And Harmon did, for the most part, running for 245 yards on a workman-like 34 carries.
Harmon scored twice in the first quarter when he rushed for 158 yards on 12 carries in what was a wild opening 12 minutes, with both teams marching up and down the field at will.
Both defenses, though, adjusted. But a missed point-after on Harmon's second TD and later a failed two-point conversion proved costly for the Wolves.
Michigan City (5-2, 3-2 DAC) dominated the possession game, totaling 69 plays to 39 by Portage (4-3, 3-2 DAC). But the Wolves turned the ball over twice in the fourth quarter. And when they got the ball back twice late in the fourth quarter with chances to go ahead, the results were horrendous.
They burned timeouts on back-to-back plays with just over five minutes to play and were charged with a 15-yard spot-of-the-foul penalty before tossing an interception. Michigan City got the ball back with 2:32 to play but fizzled.
"When the defense had to, they really buckled down," Dixon said. "And on offense, we made the most out of our plays."
Huston's pitch to Dixon results in game-winning 44-yard touchdown
October 3, 2009BY TOM WYATT Post-Tribune correspondent
MICHIGAN CITY -- Zach Huston shouldn't have made the pitch. The Portage quarterback should have gone down. He should have taken the loss and lifted himself off the ground to try again on third down.
But Huston didn't. And good thing, too, for the Indians.
With Michigan City defenders wrapped around him, on his back and in his ear, and with his momentum heading toward the turf, Huston made what appeared to be an ill-advised pitch to running back Jake Dixon on a second-and-4 play early in the third quarter.
But after a Wolves defender nearly snatched the ball out of midair, Dixon took it and dashed 44 yards for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown in a 21-19 Duneland Conference upset of Michigan City on Friday at Ames Field.
"With Zach, you never know when he's going to pitch or not," Dixon said. "I just stayed with him. My blockers did their job downfield, and I just took care of the rest."
It was a gutsy play but nearly disastrous in a game that had all the makings of an offensive shootout in the early going before turning into a defensive standoff.
"Those two have played together since Pop Warner," Portage coach Mark Peterson said of Dixon and Huston. "They have an awareness. I told Zach when he came off the field, 'Great play. Don't do it again.' "
Dixon carried 14 times for 177 yards, scoring all three Indians touchdowns as Michigan City coach Craig Buzea lost to his former team for the third time in three tries since leaving Portage to take over the Wolves program in 2007.
"This gives us a confidence boost, especially after last week," said Dixon, referring to a gut-wrenching three-point loss to Chesterton a week ago. "We came in here and took care of business."
Michigan City, playing without junior quarterback Rodney Washington for the second straight week, asked senior running back Adam Harmon to carry the load. And Harmon did, for the most part, running for 245 yards on a workman-like 34 carries.
Harmon scored twice in the first quarter when he rushed for 158 yards on 12 carries in what was a wild opening 12 minutes, with both teams marching up and down the field at will.
Both defenses, though, adjusted. But a missed point-after on Harmon's second TD and later a failed two-point conversion proved costly for the Wolves.
Michigan City (5-2, 3-2 DAC) dominated the possession game, totaling 69 plays to 39 by Portage (4-3, 3-2 DAC). But the Wolves turned the ball over twice in the fourth quarter. And when they got the ball back twice late in the fourth quarter with chances to go ahead, the results were horrendous.
They burned timeouts on back-to-back plays with just over five minutes to play and were charged with a 15-yard spot-of-the-foul penalty before tossing an interception. Michigan City got the ball back with 2:32 to play but fizzled.
"When the defense had to, they really buckled down," Dixon said. "And on offense, we made the most out of our plays."
Posted by: taxthedeer Oct 5 2009, 01:09 PM
Wolves got axed from the coaches poll:
1 1 Carmel 98 (8)
2 6 Center Grove 77
3 4 Columbus East 77 (2)
4 3 Warren Central 63
5 9 Mishawaka 62
6 2 Penn 33
7 8 FW Snider 30
8 -- Merrillville 27
9 5 Ben Davis 24
10 10 Hamilton Southeastern 20
Others Receiving Votes
Homestead - 14, Pike - 12, Zionsville - 5, Fishers - 4, Kokomo - 3, Martinsville - 1
Posted by: taxthedeer Oct 7 2009, 06:05 PM
Hopefully nobody put their rain gear away, La Porte county is under a flood watch for tomorrow and Friday.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Oct 8 2009, 12:12 PM
The injury factor could be a deciding one for the City/LaPorte game this weekend. I get the feeling Washington will be back for City.
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=26171
QUOTE
Missed Chances Doom Slicers In Road Defeat
H.S. Football: Crown Point 27, La Porte 17
Zack Eldridge
Staff Writer
CROWN POINT, Ind. - Squandered opportunities.
That contributed to La Porte football's downfall Friday night.
Despite having the ball for two possessions inside the red zone in the first half, the Slicers walked away with just three points against Crown Point, leaving a possible 11 more points on the board.
That, combined with a huge night from Bulldog running back Mason Popovich, sent La Porte to a 27-17 loss at Crown Point on a rainy night.
"You can point the finger at the offense for the first half, for twice getting in the red zone and not scoring touchdowns," La Porte coach Bob Schellinger said. "And you can point the finger at the defense in the second half, not stopping them anytime they had the ball. When you put those two things together, that's pretty dangerous and that's a recipe for losing."
In the second half, Popovich was especially effective as the Slicers (4-3, 2-3 Duneland) scuffled to stop him.
For the game, the 5-foot-9, 170-pound senior running back earned 236 yards rushing on 27 attempts with three touchdowns for the Bulldogs (3-4, 2-3 DAC).
It could prove to be a costly loss, too, as both La Porte quarterback Dustin DeMuth and running back Nick Latchford left the game with injuries and both did not return. DeMuth broke a finger on his left hand, his non-throwing hand, late in the game, and Latchford suffered a high ankle sprain in the second quarter.
With Latchford out, Simmie McGruder got the bulk of the carries.
McGruder finished with 53 yards rushing on 10 attempts.
"Simmie obviously doesn't know as much as Nick," Schellinger said. "We'll work with him this week. He did come in and ran the ball fairly well when he got the ball, so we'll just have to get him ready for next week."
Schellinger said he doesn't know the playing status for Latchford and DeMuth next week when La Porte hosts Michigan City.
DeMuth had 68 yards on the ground.
Both teams couldn't get their offenses in full gear until the second half, when the lead changed hands several times.
Trailing 7-3 at half, La Porte's Andrew Schuelke recovered Austin Atherton's fumble on the opening kickoff of the second half, setting the Slicers up with excellent field position. Two plays later, McGruder found pay dirt from 24 yards out on the ground, giving La Porte its first advantage of the game, 10-7. But Crown Point answered with a 76-yard drive, capped by Popovich's 15-yard touchdown run, giving the Bulldogs the lead back, 14-10.
Later in the third period, with the Slicers trailing by the same score, DeMuth had an 80-yard touchdown gallop, a run in which he broke a few tackles, including one in which he spun out of a would-be tackler and raced down the left sideline. That play again gave La Porte a four-point cushion late in the third.
"It was a big play," Schellinger said. "We know Dustin can run, he's had runs like that before. Obviously, it was a designed play with him running the ball. He's an athlete and he made a play when we needed it bad."
However, once again, the Slicers' defense couldn't stop the Bulldogs' rushing attack, spearheaded by Popovich. Crown Point seemed to wear down La Porte's defensive line and it scored touchdowns on its first two possessions of the fourth quarter, both Popovich runs. The first of those two scores was set up by his 76-yard run. Popovich had a 9-yard touchdown and another 15-yard touchdown run to seal the victory.
After hosting the Wolves next week, the Slicers host Portage to close the regular season.
H.S. Football: Crown Point 27, La Porte 17
Zack Eldridge
Staff Writer
CROWN POINT, Ind. - Squandered opportunities.
That contributed to La Porte football's downfall Friday night.
Despite having the ball for two possessions inside the red zone in the first half, the Slicers walked away with just three points against Crown Point, leaving a possible 11 more points on the board.
That, combined with a huge night from Bulldog running back Mason Popovich, sent La Porte to a 27-17 loss at Crown Point on a rainy night.
"You can point the finger at the offense for the first half, for twice getting in the red zone and not scoring touchdowns," La Porte coach Bob Schellinger said. "And you can point the finger at the defense in the second half, not stopping them anytime they had the ball. When you put those two things together, that's pretty dangerous and that's a recipe for losing."
In the second half, Popovich was especially effective as the Slicers (4-3, 2-3 Duneland) scuffled to stop him.
For the game, the 5-foot-9, 170-pound senior running back earned 236 yards rushing on 27 attempts with three touchdowns for the Bulldogs (3-4, 2-3 DAC).
It could prove to be a costly loss, too, as both La Porte quarterback Dustin DeMuth and running back Nick Latchford left the game with injuries and both did not return. DeMuth broke a finger on his left hand, his non-throwing hand, late in the game, and Latchford suffered a high ankle sprain in the second quarter.
With Latchford out, Simmie McGruder got the bulk of the carries.
McGruder finished with 53 yards rushing on 10 attempts.
"Simmie obviously doesn't know as much as Nick," Schellinger said. "We'll work with him this week. He did come in and ran the ball fairly well when he got the ball, so we'll just have to get him ready for next week."
Schellinger said he doesn't know the playing status for Latchford and DeMuth next week when La Porte hosts Michigan City.
DeMuth had 68 yards on the ground.
Both teams couldn't get their offenses in full gear until the second half, when the lead changed hands several times.
Trailing 7-3 at half, La Porte's Andrew Schuelke recovered Austin Atherton's fumble on the opening kickoff of the second half, setting the Slicers up with excellent field position. Two plays later, McGruder found pay dirt from 24 yards out on the ground, giving La Porte its first advantage of the game, 10-7. But Crown Point answered with a 76-yard drive, capped by Popovich's 15-yard touchdown run, giving the Bulldogs the lead back, 14-10.
Later in the third period, with the Slicers trailing by the same score, DeMuth had an 80-yard touchdown gallop, a run in which he broke a few tackles, including one in which he spun out of a would-be tackler and raced down the left sideline. That play again gave La Porte a four-point cushion late in the third.
"It was a big play," Schellinger said. "We know Dustin can run, he's had runs like that before. Obviously, it was a designed play with him running the ball. He's an athlete and he made a play when we needed it bad."
However, once again, the Slicers' defense couldn't stop the Bulldogs' rushing attack, spearheaded by Popovich. Crown Point seemed to wear down La Porte's defensive line and it scored touchdowns on its first two possessions of the fourth quarter, both Popovich runs. The first of those two scores was set up by his 76-yard run. Popovich had a 9-yard touchdown and another 15-yard touchdown run to seal the victory.
After hosting the Wolves next week, the Slicers host Portage to close the regular season.
Posted by: CaddyRich Oct 8 2009, 12:34 PM
Any update on the injury status of Rodney Washington? I won't be there tomorrow night, but take a look(this is just a thought)and see if they kept the Kiwanis Field grass a little longer in order to slow down the Wolves running attack.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Oct 8 2009, 01:03 PM
QUOTE(CaddyRich @ Oct 8 2009, 01:34 PM)
Any update on the injury status of Rodney Washington? I won't be there tomorrow night, but take a look(this is just a thought)and see if they kept the Kiwanis Field grass a little longer in order to slow down the Wolves running attack.
There will be no official update on Washington. Coach Buz doesn't believe in them. We won't know until probably kick off tomorrow if Washington is a go or not.
Posted by: taxthedeer Oct 8 2009, 05:12 PM
I heard the ALCO/VARCOM guys mention that Tyler Prybylla may be back for the Crown Point game.
Posted by: adam78sc Oct 8 2009, 09:45 PM
Now that you mention Tyler, I heard at the Portage game someone say something about him being a junior All state tackle or all state tackle or something? Did I hear that right? Or no?... can anyone clarify? I'm just curious
Posted by: southsider2k9 Oct 9 2009, 08:42 AM
http://www.regionsports.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2397&Itemid=329
QUOTE
#4 Michigan City (5-2, 3-2) at LaPorte (4-3, 2-3)
When: Friday, October 9 - 7 PM
Where: Kiwanis Field – LaPorte High School
Last Week: Portage 21 Michigan City 19
Crown Point 27 LaPorte 17
Last Season: Michigan City 34 LaPorte 28
Last 10 Meetings: LaPorte leads 8-2
All-Time Series: LaPorte leads 11-5
Favorite: Michigan City
Game Notes: Both teams come into this game desperate for victories after disappointing outcomes last week. The Wolves came into Week #7 action as the #4 team in the Tech Credit Union Top Ten Poll and had a chance to continue their improbable season, but their offense was stymied in the second half against Portage and MC fell 21-19. Michigan City was missing starting quarterback Rodney Washington in their game against the Indians, which allowed the Portage defense to focus on running back Adam Harmon. If Washington is able to return to action this week, it will go a long way in getting the Wolves’ offense back where it needs to be.
Just like the Wolves, LaPorte was having a surprise season this year after finishing the 2008 campaign with a 3-9 record. The Slicers seemed to have good things going for them: a three year starter at quarterback, an effective ground game and a defense that could keep the team in most games. LaPorte fell to Merrillville, like most teams do, but were expected bounce back against the Crown Point Bulldogs. However, the Slicers lost to Crown Point 27-17, with the defense giving up more points to Crown Point than they had scored in any game on the season.
Breakdown: Michigan City has to be “Hungry Like a Wolf” with the way they lost last week’s contest to Portage. The Wolves offense is too good to be shutout for an entire half, even without Washington in the game. Coach Buzea will keep handing the ball off to one of the Region’s best backs in Adam Harmon. Harmon’s physical style of running can take its toll on any defense and should again this week.
LaPorte needs to find a way to get back to their early season success as they’ve now lost three of four and are in danger of a losing season with Portage coming in to cap off 2009. The Slicer offensive attack is all about rushing the ball, be it Dustin DeMuth, or any of the other weapons out of the backfield. If LaPorte can get their running game going and moving the chains, keeping MC’s offense off the field, they have a good shot at this one.
Nathan Laird Says: Michigan City 24 LaPorte 17
When: Friday, October 9 - 7 PM
Where: Kiwanis Field – LaPorte High School
Last Week: Portage 21 Michigan City 19
Crown Point 27 LaPorte 17
Last Season: Michigan City 34 LaPorte 28
Last 10 Meetings: LaPorte leads 8-2
All-Time Series: LaPorte leads 11-5
Favorite: Michigan City
Game Notes: Both teams come into this game desperate for victories after disappointing outcomes last week. The Wolves came into Week #7 action as the #4 team in the Tech Credit Union Top Ten Poll and had a chance to continue their improbable season, but their offense was stymied in the second half against Portage and MC fell 21-19. Michigan City was missing starting quarterback Rodney Washington in their game against the Indians, which allowed the Portage defense to focus on running back Adam Harmon. If Washington is able to return to action this week, it will go a long way in getting the Wolves’ offense back where it needs to be.
Just like the Wolves, LaPorte was having a surprise season this year after finishing the 2008 campaign with a 3-9 record. The Slicers seemed to have good things going for them: a three year starter at quarterback, an effective ground game and a defense that could keep the team in most games. LaPorte fell to Merrillville, like most teams do, but were expected bounce back against the Crown Point Bulldogs. However, the Slicers lost to Crown Point 27-17, with the defense giving up more points to Crown Point than they had scored in any game on the season.
Breakdown: Michigan City has to be “Hungry Like a Wolf” with the way they lost last week’s contest to Portage. The Wolves offense is too good to be shutout for an entire half, even without Washington in the game. Coach Buzea will keep handing the ball off to one of the Region’s best backs in Adam Harmon. Harmon’s physical style of running can take its toll on any defense and should again this week.
LaPorte needs to find a way to get back to their early season success as they’ve now lost three of four and are in danger of a losing season with Portage coming in to cap off 2009. The Slicer offensive attack is all about rushing the ball, be it Dustin DeMuth, or any of the other weapons out of the backfield. If LaPorte can get their running game going and moving the chains, keeping MC’s offense off the field, they have a good shot at this one.
Nathan Laird Says: Michigan City 24 LaPorte 17
Posted by: southsider2k9 Oct 9 2009, 01:59 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=26270
QUOTE
City Focused On La Porte
H.S. Football: Week 8 Preview
Adam Parkhouse and Nick Dettmann
Staff Writers
It's no disrespect to La Porte, but this week Michigan City is more focused on the Wolves in preparation for tonight's intra-county clash with the Slicers.
"We've decided our biggest opponent is us," City coach Craig Buzea said. "We've really concentrated on that aspect of taking care of what we need to take care of."
Buzea said one need not look any farther than last week to know why he's saying what he's saying. The Wolves (5-2, 3-2 Duneland) badly outgained the Portage Indians in a 21-19 loss, but crucial mistakes from City put the "W" on the wrong side of the ledger.
"We could be 7-0, instead we're 5-2 and licking our wounds from a game we totally dominated," Buzea said. "I feel there are a lot of things we need to take care of between now and sectional."
After reviewing the tape, City's coaches were stunned at what they saw.
"We couldn't believe when we saw the tape how easily we moved the football," Buzea said. "The big plays against Portage were ludicrous. We had people there ... it's those type of things that as a coach just drive you nuts because you're in a position to make a play, you just have to make it."
The coaches even thought sophomore quarterback Joel Hirsch, filling in for the injured Rodney Washington, had a better game than his 11-for-26 completion numbers indicated.
They counted seven drops - two for touchdowns - in the game.
"That takes him from 11-for-26 to 18-for-26," Buzea said. "That's a big difference."
Buzea said the focus against La Porte (4-3, 2-3) will be just that: focus and concentration.
"We used that term (concentration) a lot this week," Buzea said. "It's not only physical concentration, but mental."
Much like City, La Porte comes into this game a little banged up. In last week's loss at Crown Point, starting quarterback Dustin DeMuth and leading rusher Nick Latchford went down with injuries.
"We've got guys out, too, that's just part of the game," Buzea said. "We talked about their personnel at some point and our thinking is they're gonna play. Everybody is banged up and everybody playing football right now has a bunch of injuries."
Adam's pick: City, 31-20; Nick's pick: City, 20-14.
H.S. Football: Week 8 Preview
Adam Parkhouse and Nick Dettmann
Staff Writers
It's no disrespect to La Porte, but this week Michigan City is more focused on the Wolves in preparation for tonight's intra-county clash with the Slicers.
"We've decided our biggest opponent is us," City coach Craig Buzea said. "We've really concentrated on that aspect of taking care of what we need to take care of."
Buzea said one need not look any farther than last week to know why he's saying what he's saying. The Wolves (5-2, 3-2 Duneland) badly outgained the Portage Indians in a 21-19 loss, but crucial mistakes from City put the "W" on the wrong side of the ledger.
"We could be 7-0, instead we're 5-2 and licking our wounds from a game we totally dominated," Buzea said. "I feel there are a lot of things we need to take care of between now and sectional."
After reviewing the tape, City's coaches were stunned at what they saw.
"We couldn't believe when we saw the tape how easily we moved the football," Buzea said. "The big plays against Portage were ludicrous. We had people there ... it's those type of things that as a coach just drive you nuts because you're in a position to make a play, you just have to make it."
The coaches even thought sophomore quarterback Joel Hirsch, filling in for the injured Rodney Washington, had a better game than his 11-for-26 completion numbers indicated.
They counted seven drops - two for touchdowns - in the game.
"That takes him from 11-for-26 to 18-for-26," Buzea said. "That's a big difference."
Buzea said the focus against La Porte (4-3, 2-3) will be just that: focus and concentration.
"We used that term (concentration) a lot this week," Buzea said. "It's not only physical concentration, but mental."
Much like City, La Porte comes into this game a little banged up. In last week's loss at Crown Point, starting quarterback Dustin DeMuth and leading rusher Nick Latchford went down with injuries.
"We've got guys out, too, that's just part of the game," Buzea said. "We talked about their personnel at some point and our thinking is they're gonna play. Everybody is banged up and everybody playing football right now has a bunch of injuries."
Adam's pick: City, 31-20; Nick's pick: City, 20-14.
Posted by: adam78sc Oct 9 2009, 08:48 PM
Well, it was a good run while it lasted. But I think the Duneland has figured out how to stop us. Go after Harmon. Can't keep relying on your defense to keep you in games. Your offense has to step up sooner or later. From what I'm seeing and as much as it pains me to say it, City has fallen apart. Good luck against Crown Point next week, you guys are going to need it. You know, I know that's bad but I don't know how else I'm supposed to feel right now. For God sake's they went from being ranked to a point where now they may not even go 50-50 in the conference. The year started with this big bang, a glimmer of hope for the season. For the history of Wolves football. On a high everyone was feeling for the team and for the year. Now what? Content that we at least kept the game close? That shit again? Maybe not. I don't know. I don't know what happened. Don't know what's going on. I don't know. Please don't even respond to this. I'm just ranting. Just unreal frustrated right now.
And for the record I never really cared for La Porte. I hate you slicers.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Oct 9 2009, 09:25 PM
QUOTE(adam78sc @ Oct 9 2009, 09:48 PM)
Well, it was a good run while it lasted. But I think the Duneland has figured out how to stop us. Go after Harmon. Can't keep relying on your defense to keep you in games. Your offense has to step up sooner or later. From what I'm seeing and as much as it pains me to say it, City has fallen apart. Good luck against Crown Point next week, you guys are going to need it. You know, I know that's bad but I don't know how else I'm supposed to feel right now. For God sake's they went from being ranked to a point where now they may not even go 50-50 in the conference. The year started with this big bang, a glimmer of hope for the season. For the history of Wolves football. On a high everyone was feeling for the team and for the year. Now what? Content that we at least kept the game close? That shit again? Maybe not. I don't know. I don't know what happened. Don't know what's going on. I don't know. Please don't even respond to this. I'm just ranting. Just unreal frustrated right now.
And for the record I never really cared for La Porte. I hate you slicers.
The Washington injury is the difference between this team being 6-1 and 4-3. He is that good. Hirsch is solid, but Rodney is special. If they can get Rodney to full strength by sectional, watch this team go.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Oct 12 2009, 04:16 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=26337
QUOTE
Stuff Happens
Home Cookin'
Adam Parkhouse
Sports Editor, The News-Dispatch
To paraphrase Forrest Gump: stuff happens, sometimes.
OK, so it's not going to be a record-shattering regular season for Michigan City football.
The Wolves aren't going to set a new regular season wins record. After a 4-0 start, it looked like a near certainty.
But you know what? Stuff happens.
City's starting quarterback got hurt. Rodney Washington missed all of two games and was extremely limited in his return Friday.
This is no disrespect to sophomore Joel Hirsch, who I think has filled in admirably and proven he has a future at the position. But Washington was the starter for a reason. He gives the team the best chance to win.
But he was injured at the end of the loss to Merrillville and City went on to lose two of its next three.
Stuff happens.
During a soccer match before the Portage game, placekicker Dustin Rivich was injured. He tried to play through it like a tough guy, and kudos to him for that.
A normally reliable extra-point kicker, Rivich missed his first attempt against the Indians and the Wolves spent the rest of the game chasing that point.
They never got it and took a tough loss at home. Hey, stuff happens.
La Porte's defense came up with a killer gameplan Friday and shut down City's vaunted rushing attack.
Also, key mistakes cost City throughout that game.
Sometimes, stuff happens.
But let me repeat myself from a few weeks ago: The only thing that matters is the sectional.
I know you're upset. I know you're disappointed.
"How could 4-0 become 5-3?"
It's not how anyone wanted things to go. Coaches aren't happy with it. Players aren't happy with it.
But it is what it is.
Washington was medically cleared to play Friday against La Porte. But coach Craig Buzea said after the game it was his decision to limit his junior signal-caller.
Why? Because, big picture-wise, this game didn't matter.
Of course, you want to win every game you play. That goes without saying.
But you want to be healthy in two weeks. That's when sectional play starts and that's when it's do or die.
It's when the men are separated from the boys and all those other cliches.
I still think this City team is capable of competing well in the sectional. I realize it's no consolation, but City's been competitive in each of their losses and hasn't trailed at halftime all season.
Penn and Mishawaka will definitely be the two teams to beat in the sectional, but I have no reason to believe a full-strength City team can't be right there with them, every step of the way.
They're talented enough, they're well-coached enough and the school and its fans are hungry enough.
But there can be no mistakes. There can be no untimely penalties, poor special teams plays or devastating turnovers.
You have to avoid big plays and possess the ball more than your opponent.
All these things are crucial in postseason football.
It's the one time of year where stuff can't happen. If it does, then basketball season starts early.
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Home Cookin'
Adam Parkhouse
Sports Editor, The News-Dispatch
To paraphrase Forrest Gump: stuff happens, sometimes.
OK, so it's not going to be a record-shattering regular season for Michigan City football.
The Wolves aren't going to set a new regular season wins record. After a 4-0 start, it looked like a near certainty.
But you know what? Stuff happens.
City's starting quarterback got hurt. Rodney Washington missed all of two games and was extremely limited in his return Friday.
This is no disrespect to sophomore Joel Hirsch, who I think has filled in admirably and proven he has a future at the position. But Washington was the starter for a reason. He gives the team the best chance to win.
But he was injured at the end of the loss to Merrillville and City went on to lose two of its next three.
Stuff happens.
During a soccer match before the Portage game, placekicker Dustin Rivich was injured. He tried to play through it like a tough guy, and kudos to him for that.
A normally reliable extra-point kicker, Rivich missed his first attempt against the Indians and the Wolves spent the rest of the game chasing that point.
They never got it and took a tough loss at home. Hey, stuff happens.
La Porte's defense came up with a killer gameplan Friday and shut down City's vaunted rushing attack.
Also, key mistakes cost City throughout that game.
Sometimes, stuff happens.
But let me repeat myself from a few weeks ago: The only thing that matters is the sectional.
I know you're upset. I know you're disappointed.
"How could 4-0 become 5-3?"
It's not how anyone wanted things to go. Coaches aren't happy with it. Players aren't happy with it.
But it is what it is.
Washington was medically cleared to play Friday against La Porte. But coach Craig Buzea said after the game it was his decision to limit his junior signal-caller.
Why? Because, big picture-wise, this game didn't matter.
Of course, you want to win every game you play. That goes without saying.
But you want to be healthy in two weeks. That's when sectional play starts and that's when it's do or die.
It's when the men are separated from the boys and all those other cliches.
I still think this City team is capable of competing well in the sectional. I realize it's no consolation, but City's been competitive in each of their losses and hasn't trailed at halftime all season.
Penn and Mishawaka will definitely be the two teams to beat in the sectional, but I have no reason to believe a full-strength City team can't be right there with them, every step of the way.
They're talented enough, they're well-coached enough and the school and its fans are hungry enough.
But there can be no mistakes. There can be no untimely penalties, poor special teams plays or devastating turnovers.
You have to avoid big plays and possess the ball more than your opponent.
All these things are crucial in postseason football.
It's the one time of year where stuff can't happen. If it does, then basketball season starts early.
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Posted by: taxthedeer Oct 14 2009, 09:53 PM
Do I dare mention that we are expecting RAIN for the fourth Friday in a row.
Posted by: JHeath Oct 15 2009, 07:06 AM
QUOTE(taxthedeer @ Oct 14 2009, 10:53 PM)
Do I dare mention that we are expecting RAIN for the fourth Friday in a row.
No, thanks.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Oct 15 2009, 02:36 PM
http://www.post-trib.com/sports/1826409,fbh-notebook-1015.article
QUOTE
Lack of size may be wearing out Michigan City
Comments
October 15, 2009
BY JOHN O'MALLEY, POST-TRIBUNE CORRESPONDENT
Even though Michigan City has suffered two straight losses and lost three of its last four games, head coach Craig Buzea isn't overly concerned.
After LaPorte celebrated its homecoming by rushing for 189 yards in a stunning 21-7 Duneland Athletic Conference victory over the Wolves last week, Buzea began concentrating on stopping the bleeding.
"We have 10 people who are 185 pounds or less on defense," Buzea said. "Early this season, we were able to hold up against it, but the last couple of weeks we haven't."
In a loss to Portage two weeks ago, Jake Dixon ran all over the Wolves. Against LaPorte, the Wolves couldn't prevent the Slicers from moving the chains.
"LaPorte lined up in three backs and two tight ends," Buzea said. "They controlled the ball. Their best defense was their offense, because they kept us off the field."
Buzea said Michigan City had averaged 65-70 plays per game, but ran only 28 against LaPorte.
Wolves running back Adam Harmon rushed only seven times for 7 yards. The Wolves ended up with 4 yards rushing.
"The weather conditions contributed to it, but they just ran the ball off tackle in the mud and kept the ball away from us," Buzea said. "We didn't do a very good job of keeping the ball when we had it. Our field position was lousy the entire game. They did a nice job when they had to play defense against us."
Buzea has no plans to change personnel for Friday at Crown Point. "We do what we do -- we just have to do it better," he said.
Buzea realizes if his team doesn't play better defensively, the improving Bulldogs are capable of winning.
"I think from game one through game eight, Crown Point is the most improved team in the DAC," Buzea said. "Chip (Pettit) has done a tremendous job in every aspect of the game bringing this team along. They beat LaPorte, which is something we couldn't do. They have a formidable front line, with the ability to run the ball straight ahead, run time off the clock, and keep our offense off the field."
Comments
October 15, 2009
BY JOHN O'MALLEY, POST-TRIBUNE CORRESPONDENT
Even though Michigan City has suffered two straight losses and lost three of its last four games, head coach Craig Buzea isn't overly concerned.
After LaPorte celebrated its homecoming by rushing for 189 yards in a stunning 21-7 Duneland Athletic Conference victory over the Wolves last week, Buzea began concentrating on stopping the bleeding.
"We have 10 people who are 185 pounds or less on defense," Buzea said. "Early this season, we were able to hold up against it, but the last couple of weeks we haven't."
In a loss to Portage two weeks ago, Jake Dixon ran all over the Wolves. Against LaPorte, the Wolves couldn't prevent the Slicers from moving the chains.
"LaPorte lined up in three backs and two tight ends," Buzea said. "They controlled the ball. Their best defense was their offense, because they kept us off the field."
Buzea said Michigan City had averaged 65-70 plays per game, but ran only 28 against LaPorte.
Wolves running back Adam Harmon rushed only seven times for 7 yards. The Wolves ended up with 4 yards rushing.
"The weather conditions contributed to it, but they just ran the ball off tackle in the mud and kept the ball away from us," Buzea said. "We didn't do a very good job of keeping the ball when we had it. Our field position was lousy the entire game. They did a nice job when they had to play defense against us."
Buzea has no plans to change personnel for Friday at Crown Point. "We do what we do -- we just have to do it better," he said.
Buzea realizes if his team doesn't play better defensively, the improving Bulldogs are capable of winning.
"I think from game one through game eight, Crown Point is the most improved team in the DAC," Buzea said. "Chip (Pettit) has done a tremendous job in every aspect of the game bringing this team along. They beat LaPorte, which is something we couldn't do. They have a formidable front line, with the ability to run the ball straight ahead, run time off the clock, and keep our offense off the field."
Posted by: southsider2k9 Oct 15 2009, 02:45 PM
http://www.post-trib.com/sports/hutton/1820963,hutton-1013.article
QUOTE
* I like what Michigan City coach Craig Buzea has done with the Wolves over the last three years but I'm not ready to call them a Duneland Athletic Conference powerhouse just yet. Some of us have already decided that they are indeed a program to be reckoned with in the DAC. I'm taking the wait-and-see approach. It's hard to turn a program with no recent tradition of success into a powerhouse. They are now 5-3 after losing to LaPorte last Friday.
Posted by: taxthedeer Oct 15 2009, 09:02 PM
Hutton and O'Malley must not be paying close enough attention and are not mentioning taking into consideration that the Wolves have been with out Rodney Washington for the last few weeks. It would be like the Bears being without Jay Cutler, when you lose the guy that your offense revolves around it's going to have a negative result.
Posted by: adam78sc Oct 16 2009, 08:38 PM
Beautiful win tonight, I'm quite surprised. They definitely showed up to play in Crown Point tonight. Congratulations Wolves! Now just carry that momentum into sectional play.
Wolves put a spanking on the Bulldogs... 35-3.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Oct 16 2009, 09:51 PM
QUOTE(adam78sc @ Oct 16 2009, 09:38 PM)
Beautiful win tonight, I'm quite surprised. They definitely showed up to play in Crown Point tonight. Congratulations Wolves! Now just carry that momentum into sectional play.
Wolves put a spanking on the Bulldogs... 35-3.
I'm not surprised at all. This is a totally different team with Washington at QB. This is a borderline upper echelon team with Rodney in the backfield.
Posted by: adam78sc Oct 17 2009, 11:33 AM
Michigan City practically never in the history of M.C. pulls out a win by such a wide margin. Against a DAC opponent anyway. So to win last night like they did, healthy or not, yes I am even yet still, very surprised. I patiently wait for a time when Michigan City can be a truly dominant football team like Portage in the 90's. Just rolling over people. Instead I'm settling for (with the exception of 2nd half Crown Point) nail biters to the end about every week.
To quote from Parkhouse in today's paper...
"The winning margin is by far City's biggest against any DAC opponent since coach Craig Buzea arrived for the 2007 season. It's also the widest margin of victory under Buzea against any City opponent not named Gary Roosevelt. It's the second biggest DAC margin for City in school history. On Sept. 24, 2004, City beat Lake Central 34-0."
Posted by: southsider2k9 Oct 17 2009, 05:34 PM
Try this one on for size. Merrillville didn't beat a Duneland opponent by as large of a margin as City won last night by.
I also really believe that you can't look at the last three weeks as true indicators of how good City is. I have no doubts in my mind they would have blown Lake Central out, they would have beaten Portage handily, and they would have beaten LaPorte as well. As for the other close games, you are talking about teams that are the class of the conference. You aren't going to blow out those teams.
Posted by: taxthedeer Oct 17 2009, 05:35 PM
QUOTE(adam78sc @ Oct 17 2009, 12:33 PM)
Michigan City practically never in the history of M.C. pulls out a win by such a wide margin. Against a DAC opponent anyway. So to win last night like they did, healthy or not, yes I am even yet still, very surprised. I patiently wait for a time when Michigan City can be a truly dominant football team like Portage in the 90's. Just rolling over people. Instead I'm settling for (with the exception of 2nd half Crown Point) nail biters to the end about every week.
To quote from Parkhouse in today's paper...
"The winning margin is by far City's biggest against any DAC opponent since coach Craig Buzea arrived for the 2007 season. It's also the widest margin of victory under Buzea against any City opponent not named Gary Roosevelt. It's the second biggest DAC margin for City in school history. On Sept. 24, 2004, City beat Lake Central 34-0."
That was the blowout win I've been waiting for all season. I agree, Parky had a really nice write-up in this mornings paper.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Oct 18 2009, 02:46 PM
Come on out to help City continue its record setting season by coming out to Ames Field this Friday for the sectional match up against Elkhart Memorial HS. Please pass the invite to all of your City friends and family and lets pack the stadium!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=157533338773&ref=mf
Posted by: southsider2k9 Oct 19 2009, 02:20 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=26479&TM=58715.79
QUOTE
Questions Answered
Home Cookin'
Adam Parkhouse
Sports Editor, The News-Dispatch
I had questions about the Wolves quarterback: Would he start again this season? Would he be the same player he was before going down? Would he be able to energize an offense that was sorely in need of a boost?
With one throw Friday, Rodney Washington answered any question I could ever have, and then some.
His 59-yard heave (it traveled at least 60 in the air) to Tracy Rivera in the second quarter against Crown Point not only helped set the tone for the rest of the game, it set the tone for Sectional 2.
Before City's 35-3 win - or more specifically, Washington's incredible throw - I was in line with a number of skeptics that wondered if the Michigan City football team we saw in the first four weeks was indeed a fluke.
I certainly didn't want to believe that was true. I don't think anyone did.
But I think many were uncertain of exactly what impact Washington's injury had on this City team.
To review, under Washington, City beat Class 4A No. 12 South Bend Washington, who upended Class 5A No. 4 Mishawaka on Friday . The Wolves also topped a solid Chesterton team and got a great win at Valparaiso before letting a halftime lead against undefeated Duneland Conference champion Merrillville slip away. To add injury to insult, Washington went down at the end of the Merrillville game.
To be fair, before Washington's monster completion to Rivera, City wasn't throttling Crown Point. The score was 3-3 late in the second quarter and "the play" came on third-and-14.
But, "the play" led to City scoring 29 unanswered points in less than nine minutes of game action.
Before all that, I was honestly thinking how great it would be for City just to win one game in the sectional.
Heck, why not win them all?
It'll be difficult. In order to do so, City would likely have to not only beat Elkhart Memorial on Friday at Ames Field, but also win at Mishawaka and at Penn.
That's a tall order, I assure you.
But here's what I know: When this City team plays like it did against Crown Point - as it did in the first five games this season - I'll never count them out of any game.
Washington's heave, and City's overall dominating performance, especially on defense, put the rest of Sectional 2 on notice.
Hopefully you noticed, too.
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Home Cookin'
Adam Parkhouse
Sports Editor, The News-Dispatch
I had questions about the Wolves quarterback: Would he start again this season? Would he be the same player he was before going down? Would he be able to energize an offense that was sorely in need of a boost?
With one throw Friday, Rodney Washington answered any question I could ever have, and then some.
His 59-yard heave (it traveled at least 60 in the air) to Tracy Rivera in the second quarter against Crown Point not only helped set the tone for the rest of the game, it set the tone for Sectional 2.
Before City's 35-3 win - or more specifically, Washington's incredible throw - I was in line with a number of skeptics that wondered if the Michigan City football team we saw in the first four weeks was indeed a fluke.
I certainly didn't want to believe that was true. I don't think anyone did.
But I think many were uncertain of exactly what impact Washington's injury had on this City team.
To review, under Washington, City beat Class 4A No. 12 South Bend Washington, who upended Class 5A No. 4 Mishawaka on Friday . The Wolves also topped a solid Chesterton team and got a great win at Valparaiso before letting a halftime lead against undefeated Duneland Conference champion Merrillville slip away. To add injury to insult, Washington went down at the end of the Merrillville game.
To be fair, before Washington's monster completion to Rivera, City wasn't throttling Crown Point. The score was 3-3 late in the second quarter and "the play" came on third-and-14.
But, "the play" led to City scoring 29 unanswered points in less than nine minutes of game action.
Before all that, I was honestly thinking how great it would be for City just to win one game in the sectional.
Heck, why not win them all?
It'll be difficult. In order to do so, City would likely have to not only beat Elkhart Memorial on Friday at Ames Field, but also win at Mishawaka and at Penn.
That's a tall order, I assure you.
But here's what I know: When this City team plays like it did against Crown Point - as it did in the first five games this season - I'll never count them out of any game.
Washington's heave, and City's overall dominating performance, especially on defense, put the rest of Sectional 2 on notice.
Hopefully you noticed, too.
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Posted by: taxthedeer Oct 19 2009, 02:56 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Oct 17 2009, 06:34 PM)
Try this one on for size. Merrillville didn't beat a Duneland opponent by as large of a margin as City won last night by.
I also really believe that you can't look at the last three weeks as true indicators of how good City is. I have no doubts in my mind they would have blown Lake Central out, they would have beaten Portage handily, and they would have beaten LaPorte as well. As for the other close games, you are talking about teams that are the class of the conference. You aren't going to blow out those teams.
I was talking with the La Porte coaches Friday night after their win against Portage. They told me if the play City in the second week of the sectionals they plan on watering down Kiwanis Field.
Posted by: adam78sc Oct 19 2009, 10:18 PM
lol those Laporte coaches must be dreaming. They need to take a hard look at Mishawaka first before worrying about City. The cavemen are gonna bring it to those slicers. mark my words on that one. thats great.. even if they pull off the miracle they shouldnt have to worry about that with all the rain lately, lol
whoa at mishawaka no less. yea its going to take a miracle.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Oct 21 2009, 02:17 PM
QUOTE(adam78sc @ Oct 19 2009, 11:18 PM)
lol those Laporte coaches must be dreaming. They need to take a hard look at Mishawaka first before worrying about City. The cavemen are gonna bring it to those slicers. mark my words on that one. thats great.. even if they pull off the miracle they shouldnt have to worry about that with all the rain lately, lol
whoa at mishawaka no less. yea its going to take a miracle.
LaPorte hasn't played well away from Kiwanas this year either. It could happen, but I really, really doubt it.
Posted by: taxthedeer Oct 22 2009, 11:19 AM
More rain expected tomorrow.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Oct 22 2009, 09:36 PM
QUOTE(taxthedeer @ Oct 22 2009, 12:19 PM)
More rain expected tomorrow.
Might as well make it 5 in a row...
Posted by: southsider2k9 Oct 23 2009, 10:01 PM
That is such a horrible way to end the season. 
Posted by: taxthedeer Oct 26 2009, 11:02 AM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Oct 23 2009, 11:01 PM)
That is such a horrible way to end the season.
Dave Egofske needs to resign or be let go. The guy was no good for Crown Point, he's no good here in Michigan City. Sorry dude.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Oct 26 2009, 02:04 PM
Is that the special teams coach?
Posted by: taxthedeer Oct 27 2009, 09:09 AM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Oct 26 2009, 03:04 PM)
Is that the special teams coach?
No, defensive coordinator, Egofske became the head coach at Crown Point a year after they originally joined the DAC back in 1993 and complied a dismal 27-44 (.380) record in his 6 seasons he spent there (1994-2000). After he coached the Bulldogs to an 0-10 record in 2000 (Crown Point's future wasn't looking much brighter) he was fired and replaced by their current coach Chip Pettit. It took coach Pettit a couple of seasons to mend the damage he left behind and bring the Bulldogs back to respectability.
I thought Buz took a big risk bringing him into City's program and considering how the team only went 2-4 in their last six games (those two wins came against the two last place teams in the conference) and looking back at that opening drive of Friday's game, that risk did not pay off.
Posted by: MC Born & Raised Oct 27 2009, 01:07 PM
QUOTE(taxthedeer @ Oct 27 2009, 10:09 AM)
No, defensive coordinator, Egofske became the head coach at Crown Point a year after they originally joined the DAC back in 1993 and complied a dismal 27-44 (.380) record in his 6 seasons he spent there (1994-2000). After he coached the Bulldogs to an 0-10 record in 2000 (Crown Point's future wasn't looking much brighter) he was fired and replaced by their current coach Chip Pettit. It took coach Pettit a couple of seasons to mend the damage he left behind and bring the Bulldogs back to respectability.
I thought Buz took a big risk bringing him into City's program and considering how the team only went 2-4 in their last six games (those two wins came against the two last place teams in the conference) and looking back at that opening drive of Friday's game, that risk did not pay off.
I respectfully disagree.
While that opening drive against Memorial was definitely not good, it's important to remember that the defense was a big part of the reason why the team got off to such a good start and won six games to begin with. South Bend Washington put up just 10 points against City, its lowest output of the season. The same Washington team that gave Mishawaka a beatdown in the regular season finale.
Also remember, and I'm not making excuses for Egofske or anyone else, but in that Elkhart game City was without Harmon, unquestionably their best defensive player. For instance, that third-and-long conversion early in the drive probably doesn't happen with Harmon on the field. He's the guy that made those plays to end drives all season long. It was clear the defense never got going with Harmon on the sidelines.
And the 2-4 in the last six games is hardly Egofske's or the defense's fault. Two of those losses were without the starting quarterback and against Merrillville (the loss that started the string), they led at half and were in that game to the end. The Pirates finished DAC play unbeaten, by the way.
Now, I don't know Egofske that well, and he may very well not be a good coach. I don't know. But I do know that defense played at a high level for most of the season, and the coordinator has to have something to do with that.
Posted by: taxthedeer Oct 27 2009, 06:50 PM
QUOTE(MC Born & Raised @ Oct 27 2009, 02:07 PM)
I respectfully disagree.
While that opening drive against Memorial was definitely not good, it's important to remember that the defense was a big part of the reason why the team got off to such a good start and won six games to begin with. South Bend Washington put up just 10 points against City, its lowest output of the season. The same Washington team that gave Mishawaka a beatdown in the regular season finale.
Also remember, and I'm not making excuses for Egofske or anyone else, but in that Elkhart game City was without Harmon, unquestionably their best defensive player. For instance, that third-and-long conversion early in the drive probably doesn't happen with Harmon on the field. He's the guy that made those plays to end drives all season long. It was clear the defense never got going with Harmon on the sidelines.
And the 2-4 in the last six games is hardly Egofske's or the defense's fault. Two of those losses were without the starting quarterback and against Merrillville (the loss that started the string), they led at half and were in that game to the end. The Pirates finished DAC play unbeaten, by the way.
Now, I don't know Egofske that well, and he may very well not be a good coach. I don't know. But I do know that defense played at a high level for most of the season, and the coordinator has to have something to do with that.
Let me ask this, Do you think City would have won that Washington game if Eric Woods were in the lineup for the Panthers?
Posted by: MC Born & Raised Oct 27 2009, 07:32 PM
QUOTE(taxthedeer @ Oct 27 2009, 07:50 PM)
You can disagree if you want, but just don't say that you have not been forewarned. Somebody should be held accountable for the team finishing 2-4, without any excuses.
Let me ask this, Do you think City would have won that Washington game if Eric Woods were in the lineup for the Panthers?
Well, considering Woods (and the Dieter brothers, btw) should still be at Adams, I'm not sure the answer to that question matters. City still beat a VERY good team that night that had a lot of success throughout the rest of its schedule against quality competition.
The fact is, City just doesn't have the program depth yet to be abel to handle losses like Washington and Harmon, especially Harmon. They didn't have a suitable replacement on offense or defense, and it really showed. And any high school team, I don't care which one, struggles when they lose a QB of Washington's caliber. Valparaiso had the same problem this year when Livovich went down.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Oct 27 2009, 07:46 PM
I agree. The problems in the second half of the season fell more on the offensive, than the defensive side of the football. I thought the D carried the load this season. To underscore that point City was second in the Duneland Conference for points allowed during the entire season, and during Duneland play, second only to M-Ville in both occasions.
I think it is a fair statement that any team that lost a QB with the game changing ability of Rodney Washington for a period of about a month would have a large loss, as would a team who lost the region's leading rusher. Another team that had big struggles after their QB was hurt was LaPorte when DeMuth went down.
The only facet of the game that disappointed me this year for the Wolves is the special teams. They were pretty consistently awful this year to be honest. If I am firing any coach, that would be the one.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Nov 7 2009, 10:16 AM
It could have been us...
http://www.wndu.com/hometop/headlines/69443887.html
QUOTE
Coming into 2009, it had been 29 years since Mishawaka beat Penn.
Five weeks ago, that changed---the Princess City was turned upside down when the Cavemen topped the Kingsmen, ending Penn's 153 game NIC win streak.
Friday night, the Cavemen did it again---this time for the 5A Sectional Championship.
Tyler Reinoehl's 50-yard touchdown run with 3:54 left in the game put Mishawaka up 24-21 and Penn junior Alan Sinclair missed a 39-yard field goal with 47 seconds left as the Cavemen held on for their 2nd win over the arch rival in five weeks at Steele Stadium.
Five weeks ago, that changed---the Princess City was turned upside down when the Cavemen topped the Kingsmen, ending Penn's 153 game NIC win streak.
Friday night, the Cavemen did it again---this time for the 5A Sectional Championship.
Tyler Reinoehl's 50-yard touchdown run with 3:54 left in the game put Mishawaka up 24-21 and Penn junior Alan Sinclair missed a 39-yard field goal with 47 seconds left as the Cavemen held on for their 2nd win over the arch rival in five weeks at Steele Stadium.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Nov 13 2009, 09:25 PM
Merrillville beat Mishawaka 28-27.
Posted by: MC Born & Raised Nov 14 2009, 03:52 AM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Nov 13 2009, 09:25 PM)
Merrillville beat Mishawaka 28-27.
Mishawaka scored late and decided to go for two. Gutsy call ... I don't agree with it, but it's gutsy as hell.
Posted by: MCRogers1974 Nov 14 2009, 07:20 AM
Doesn’t surprise me Bart Curtis would have gone for the two point conversion for the win. He plays to win as I’ve watched his coaching style during the years he was at New Prairie.
Posted by: taxthedeer Nov 16 2009, 09:09 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Nov 13 2009, 09:25 PM)
Merrillville beat Mishawaka 28-27.
Heck, Merrillville, Smherrillville, take a look what my crew did to those guys last season, just a sneek preview of what those guys over there have coming in about five or six years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CrTnpIDQLA
Posted by: adam78sc Nov 17 2009, 11:11 PM
QUOTE(taxthedeer @ Nov 16 2009, 10:09 PM)
Heck, Merrillville, Smherrillville, take a look what my crew did to those guys last season, just a sneek preview of what those guys over there have coming in about five or six years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CrTnpIDQLA
Nice.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Dec 3 2009, 03:49 PM
http://nwitimes.com/sports/columnists/nate-ulrich/article_01286418-f60b-5398-bb99-71cfa1cf8746.html
QUOTE
Michigan City stumbled toward the end of its season, but the Wolves were still a pleasant surprise. By going 6-4, they produced their first winning record since 2005. The atmosphere at Ames Field was electric when then-unbeaten Michigan City faced Merrillville in Week 5.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Dec 4 2009, 07:58 AM
http://www.post-trib.com/sports/highschools/1920036,fbh-aa4-1204.article
QUOTE
Linebacker -- Tyree Wright, Michigan City senior
Stats: 109 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception
Raves: The man in the middle of Michigan City's defense led the Wolves in tackles for the second straight season. The 6-foot, 220-pounder is a two-time all-Duneland choice and helped steer the program's turnaround this season.
Stats: 109 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception
Raves: The man in the middle of Michigan City's defense led the Wolves in tackles for the second straight season. The 6-foot, 220-pounder is a two-time all-Duneland choice and helped steer the program's turnaround this season.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Dec 4 2009, 07:59 AM
http://www.post-trib.com/sports/1920516,sgorches-1204.article
QUOTE
MC turnaround: Speaking of coaches turning around a program, Craig Buzea's rebuilding project at Michigan City is close to being complete. The Wolves started 5-1 before losing three of their last four, including a 23-0 sectional loss to Elkhart Memorial that might have been different is Buzea had a full complement of healthy players.
His squad, like other across the state in multiple sports, fell victim to the flu bug at the worst possible time. But MC's first winning season since 2005 shows Buzea is working his magic once again. The rest of the Duneland needs to watch out.
His squad, like other across the state in multiple sports, fell victim to the flu bug at the worst possible time. But MC's first winning season since 2005 shows Buzea is working his magic once again. The rest of the Duneland needs to watch out.
Posted by: taxthedeer Jan 28 2010, 05:36 PM
QUOTE
City Football: Blowout Win No Big Deal, Really
Home Cookin'
Adam Parkhouse
Sports Editor, The News-Dispatch
Michigan City's football team opened the 2009 season with a bang, beating Gary Roosevelt 63-0 at Ames Field.
Pardon me for saying so, but so what?
The Wolves set consolidated school records for most points in a game and biggest margin of victory.
Who cares?
City also improved to 15-0 in season-opening games.
Eh ... not a big deal, really.
Now before you get all page-turny on me and call me names, know that I'm not the only one who holds this opinion about Friday's win.
Purdue-bound lineman Ryan Isaac said the level of domination achieved Friday was expected. According to him, Friday's game was simply "business."
City coach Craig Buzea was more happy that six different City players scored touchdowns and that everybody got a chance to play.
There's a reason why beating Roosevelt is really nothing to write home about, and it's supported by fact.
Sure, City is 15-0 all-time in season openers against Roosevelt, Elkhart Central and Chicago Leo (Ill.). But only three times has City ended its postseason with a winning record.
In fact, for me at least, the best part about Friday's win was that it's probably the last time City will ever play Roosevelt. The athletic department is efforting a new Week 1 opponent for next season and beyond, and good riddance, I say.
I don't mean to sound harsh, but as I've argued in the past, there's nothing to be gained from this game. Your star running back had just five carries and your first-year quarterback threw only five passes. And I applaud Buzea for getting those guys out of the game and spreading the wealth. But heck, the defense couldn't even run the way you'd like it to because the Wolves tend to blitz the Panthers less due to their line not being good enough to block that many people effectively. In short, you call off the dogs so someone doesn't get hurt.
The idea of playing Roosevelt in Week 1 has passed its time. When City was always expected to be bad, it was nice to get that win right away so the threat of a winless season didn't hang over you the rest of the year. In six of City's 14-plus seasons, the Wolves only won one other game. In another, Roosevelt was its only win.
But Buzea is trying to usher in a new era. An era where not only his player, but teachers, adminstrators and fans can all aim higher and expect victories against schools that field competitive teams.
It's a vision to help build the program to respectability, which frankly hasn't existed here for some time on the gridiron.
To get there, the idea of needing a team like Roosevelt on the schedule to guarantee at least one win needs to be vanquished. Just erase it from your mind.
Sure, 63-0 looks nice in the paper and it's a nice score to say to others. But, to me, there's much more to be gained from playing a competitive opponent to start the season.
The real season starts next week. South Bend Washington will bring a tough team to Ames and then play in the Duneland Conference gets underway in Week 3.
That's when the men get separated from the boys.
Good luck in Week 2, Wolves.
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Home Cookin'
Adam Parkhouse
Sports Editor, The News-Dispatch
Michigan City's football team opened the 2009 season with a bang, beating Gary Roosevelt 63-0 at Ames Field.
Pardon me for saying so, but so what?
The Wolves set consolidated school records for most points in a game and biggest margin of victory.
Who cares?
City also improved to 15-0 in season-opening games.
Eh ... not a big deal, really.
Now before you get all page-turny on me and call me names, know that I'm not the only one who holds this opinion about Friday's win.
Purdue-bound lineman Ryan Isaac said the level of domination achieved Friday was expected. According to him, Friday's game was simply "business."
City coach Craig Buzea was more happy that six different City players scored touchdowns and that everybody got a chance to play.
There's a reason why beating Roosevelt is really nothing to write home about, and it's supported by fact.
Sure, City is 15-0 all-time in season openers against Roosevelt, Elkhart Central and Chicago Leo (Ill.). But only three times has City ended its postseason with a winning record.
In fact, for me at least, the best part about Friday's win was that it's probably the last time City will ever play Roosevelt. The athletic department is efforting a new Week 1 opponent for next season and beyond, and good riddance, I say.
I don't mean to sound harsh, but as I've argued in the past, there's nothing to be gained from this game. Your star running back had just five carries and your first-year quarterback threw only five passes. And I applaud Buzea for getting those guys out of the game and spreading the wealth. But heck, the defense couldn't even run the way you'd like it to because the Wolves tend to blitz the Panthers less due to their line not being good enough to block that many people effectively. In short, you call off the dogs so someone doesn't get hurt.
The idea of playing Roosevelt in Week 1 has passed its time. When City was always expected to be bad, it was nice to get that win right away so the threat of a winless season didn't hang over you the rest of the year. In six of City's 14-plus seasons, the Wolves only won one other game. In another, Roosevelt was its only win.
But Buzea is trying to usher in a new era. An era where not only his player, but teachers, adminstrators and fans can all aim higher and expect victories against schools that field competitive teams.
It's a vision to help build the program to respectability, which frankly hasn't existed here for some time on the gridiron.
To get there, the idea of needing a team like Roosevelt on the schedule to guarantee at least one win needs to be vanquished. Just erase it from your mind.
Sure, 63-0 looks nice in the paper and it's a nice score to say to others. But, to me, there's much more to be gained from playing a competitive opponent to start the season.
The real season starts next week. South Bend Washington will bring a tough team to Ames and then play in the Duneland Conference gets underway in Week 3.
That's when the men get separated from the boys.
Good luck in Week 2, Wolves.
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Looks like it didn't happen, According to John Harrell's site the Wolves are again scheduled to host Roosevelt on 08/20/10:
http://indianahsfootball.homestead.com/files/logs173.htm
CLASS SECTIONAL ORDER YOUR INDIANA FOOTBALL DIGEST RECENT SEASONS
5A 2 E-MAIL CORRECTIONS MAP TO SCHOOL 0-0
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
MICHIGAN CITY
WOLVES
DATE OPPONENT CENTRAL TIME OA 0.0, DA 0.0
Aug. 20 Gary Roosevelt {4A} 7:00 pm
Aug. 27 at South Bend Washington {4A} 7:00 pm
Sep. 3 at Chesterton {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
Sep. 10 Valparaiso {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
Sep. 17 at Merrillville {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
Sep. 24 Lake Central {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
Oct. 1 at Portage {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
Oct. 8 LaPorte {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
Oct. 15 Crown Point {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
‡DUNELAND ATHLETIC CONFERENCE GAME
Posted by: MC Born & Raised Jan 28 2010, 05:53 PM
QUOTE(taxthedeer @ Jan 28 2010, 05:36 PM)
Looks like it didn't happen, According to John Harrell's site the Wolves are again scheduled to host Roosevelt on 08/20/10:
http://indianahsfootball.homestead.com/files/logs173.htm
CLASS SECTIONAL ORDER YOUR INDIANA FOOTBALL DIGEST RECENT SEASONS
5A 2 E-MAIL CORRECTIONS MAP TO SCHOOL 0-0
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
MICHIGAN CITY
WOLVES
DATE OPPONENT CENTRAL TIME OA 0.0, DA 0.0
Aug. 20 Gary Roosevelt {4A} 7:00 pm
Aug. 27 at South Bend Washington {4A} 7:00 pm
Sep. 3 at Chesterton {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
Sep. 10 Valparaiso {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
Sep. 17 at Merrillville {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
Sep. 24 Lake Central {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
Oct. 1 at Portage {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
Oct. 8 LaPorte {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
Oct. 15 Crown Point {5A}‡ 7:00 pm
‡DUNELAND ATHLETIC CONFERENCE GAME
What a shame. That game's completely worthless. I'll have to look into that and see what happened. I knew they were having some trouble finding someone. See, the problem is (I suspect) they'd prefer to keep Week 1 as a constant home game, but that's a hard sell to most schools. Roosevelt was willing to do it, 99 percent of other schools aren't.
Posted by: taxthedeer Feb 1 2010, 07:24 AM
QUOTE(MC Born & Raised @ Jan 28 2010, 05:53 PM)
What a shame. That game's completely worthless. I'll have to look into that and see what happened. I knew they were having some trouble finding someone. See, the problem is (I suspect) they'd prefer to keep Week 1 as a constant home game, but that's a hard sell to most schools. Roosevelt was willing to do it, 99 percent of other schools aren't.
That's one of the things that bothers me about boasting that starting out 4-0 in '09. Yeah, in reality City started 4-0, but in all intensive practicality City started out only 3-0.
Posted by: MC Born & Raised Feb 1 2010, 02:01 PM
QUOTE(taxthedeer @ Feb 1 2010, 07:24 AM)
That's one of the things that bothers me about boasting that starting out 4-0 in '09. Yeah, in reality City started 4-0, but in all intensive practicality City started out only 3-0.
True, but 3-0 definitely better than 1-2 or 0-3. Still progress.
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