Both Fishers and HSE High Schools are starting their 2017 season this week. As part of a partnership with the Hamilton County Reporter newspaper, here are previews of the coming season for both local varsity football squads.
Young Tigers will have two quarterbacks, solid kicking
by
Richie Hall
Hamilton County Reporter Sports Editor
At first glance, it appears the Fishers football team will be relatively young this
season, and have several new players take to the field when game time rolls around
Friday night.
While that may be the case, there are several things that Tigers coach Rick
Wimmer is pleased about. His defense appears to be playing and practicing well,
and he also has two quarterbacks that he considers starters.
The signal-callers are senior Matthew Wolff and junior Jon Vore. Both got into
games last season and played well. In his six games, Vore was 54-of-105 for 658 yards,
and threw four touchdowns. Wolff played in three games and also passed for four
touchdowns.
“Obviously, only one will start a given game, but I expect to start each of them at
different times and play them both,” said Wimmer.
A key offensive return is senior Michael Noble at tailback. Noble is the leading
returning rusher for Fishers, gaining 341 yards last season and scoring two touchdowns.
Senior Will Syrus and junior Collin Statz are back as the wide receivers.
Wimmer said his team will be “pretty young” on the offensive line. Senior Luke
Martin, a three-year starter, will play the right guard position. Two sophomores,
Hayden Tobias and Ethan Dye, are slated in the tackle spots, while junior Austin
Voskuhl will be at left guard. Junior Nathan Pairitz is the center.
On the defensive side, three seniors return at linebacker: Seth Sontich, Michael
Nettleton and Emmanuel Davis.
“I really like the way these guys are playing,” said Wimmer. “Senior Peyton
Dozier and sophomore Geoffrey Brown will provide quality depth.”
The defensive line, said Wimmer, is not very experienced, but the coach said it is
improving and he’s excited about that group.
“Ends (Daniel) Amadi, (Josh) Everrett, and (Isaiah) Dunnuck have been very disruptive
in practice and lone returning starter Nick Douglas has been an anchor on that defensive front,” said Wimmer.
As for the secondary, junior Michael Prewitt is the lone defensive back (at corner)
with any starting experience, but Wimmer said many players are competing for spots.
The coach said that Fishers’ kicking game will be good as well, with Ben Norton
returning at kicker and Joey Galey as the punter.
The Tigers host North Central Friday for their opening game.
Fishers Probable Lineups
Offense Defense
WR, Will Syrus, Sr., 178 E, Josh Everrett, Jr., 209
LT, Hayden Tobias, So., 241 N, Luke Thomas, Sr., 236
LG, Austin Voskuhl, Jr., 325 T, Nick Douglas, Sr., 246
C, Nathan Pairitz, Jr., 248 ANC, Daniel Amadi, Sr., 208
RG, Luke Martin, Sr., 288 LB, Seth Sontich, Sr., 180
RT, Ethan Dye, So., 250 LB, Michael Nettleton, Sr., 195
TE, Bryce Gee, Sr., 215 LB, Emmanuel Davis, Jr., 191
QB, Matt Wolff, Sr., 202 CB, Michael Prewitt, Jr., 164
WR, Collin Statz, Jr., 160 CB, Darrius Daniels, Sr., 184
TB, Michael Noble, Sr., 192 FS, Michael Longo, Jr., 156
TE, Isaiah Dunnuck, Sr., 218 SS, Roman Molden, Jr., 178
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Many new faces will lead Royals, who open at Kokomo
by
Richie Hall
Hamilton County Reporter Sports Editor
Last year’s Hamilton Southeastern football team had many seniors in a starting
line-up, which is relatively normal for a team from a large school.
So, this year’s Royals group will have some new faces on the field when it travels
to Kokomo on Friday. But the Southeastern program is one that tends to re-load, not
rebuild. The Royals are ready for another successful season.
HSE coach Scott May said he has seen improvements “in a lot of areas” as the
practices have progressed, and knows that his team has “a lot of room to get better.”
While there are many new faces, there will be some experienced players on the field as
well.
A big return is senior Jackson Sweeney, who will be the tailback for the Royals.
Sweeney was by far Southeastern’s leading rusher last season, with 874 yards and seven
touchdowns. Sweeney will not play in the opener; Lance Stephens is next in line at
tailback.
Senior Nick Mutchner returns in the tight end position. He made 30 catches last year;
one of them for a touchdown. This year’s quarterback is Cody Huppenthal, a senior.
Three familiar names return for the Royals on defense. Both the tackles are
back, seniors Will Hedrick and Madison Norris. Johnny May, also a senior, has
moved to the inside linebacker spot.
Southeastern opens at Kokomo, a team that has improved greatly over the past few
seasons. The Wildkats have won back-to-back sectional championships, and a
regional in 2015. May said while the Royals haven’t played Kokomo in a few years, he
knows it will be a solid team.
“They run an offense that we don’t see so getting ready for that has been a challenge,
but I like our defense a lot and think they will be ready for the challenge,” said
May. “Our offense is getting better daily. We have some new faces out there that are
working hard and I think it will pay off.”
Southeastern Probable Lineups
Offense Defense
QB, Cody Huppenthal, Sr., 175 W, Jack Boyd, Jr., 190
TB, Lance Stephens, Jr., 190 DT, Will Hedrick, Sr., 250
HB, Ben Boysen, So., 160 NG, Arbra Ross, Sr., 220
WR, Jackson Lantz, Jr., 170 DT, Madison Norris, Sr., 200
WR, Cole Russell, Sr., 170 S, Jake Gillay, Sr., 210
TE, Nick Mutchner, Sr., 205 C, Eric Dailey, Sr., 165
T, Nate Mroz, Sr., 280 C, Isaiah Phillips, Sr., 165
G, Andrew Olexa, Sr., 220 ILB, Johnny May, Sr., 230
C, Nathan Shuey, Sr., 240 ILB, Rutger Poiry, Sr., 185
G, Crae Kunkleman, Jr., 220 SS, Anthony Eggers, Jr., 175
T, Matt Timmons, Sr., 230 FS, Francis Coomber, Sr., 180