by

Richie Hall

Sports Editor

Hamilton County Reporter

The football fans who will be attending Friday’s season opener for Hamilton Southeastern will see an experienced home team at Reynolds Royals Stadium.

Southeastern hosts Lawrence Central in its opener, which kicks off at 7 p.m. That will begin the second season at HSE for Adam Morris as head coach of the Royals, and he is highlighting the experience that will be returning at several positions.

One of those positions is at quarterback, where senior Andrew Hobson is returning. Hobson finished last season very strong, throwing for 555 yards and seven touchdowns in the final three games of the season.

The Royals will also be strong at the wide receiver position, with two returning seniors. Ben Boysen is led Southeastern in receptions last year with 49, gaining 464 yards. DeAndre Rhodes had 10 catches, including one for a touchdown. As for the line, Morris said his team will have a “lot of talent but youth” on the offensive line.

Morris said that Southeastern will also have experience returning on the defensive line and in the defensive back group. The defense includes a host of seniors, James Pflumm, Evan Lantz, Chris Stein and Jake Huston, plus junior John McCall . Lantz had 5.5 sacks last season, while McCall totaled 54 tackles.

After hosting Lawrence Central, the Royals will travel to North Central for a Week 2 game, then host Avon in Week 3 to begin Hoosier Crossroads Conference play. Southeastern will travel to Fishers for the Mudsock game in Week 4; the Tigers are a potential Class 6A Sectional 4 opponent, along with Carmel and Westfield.

“In 6A football your sectional is always going to be tough,” said Morris.