COLUMN: County gridders think they're in for a big year

While the season hasn't yet begun, the excitement from every football game in the county is already in midseason form. It's usual for a team to be excited about the season when it hasn't yet lost, but this year feels different.

Greencastle is coming off its first undefeated regular season since 1995 and returns a huge chunk of last season's roster. They're big, tall, fast and skilled.

Since spring, the players and coaches have also been telling me how high their expectations are for the season. Without stepping too much on my preview (coming Wednesday), the Tiger Cubs will score enough points to win a lot of games.

Another trip deep into the state tournament seems likely.

They're not the only team preparing to say, "I told you so."

South Putnam was 7-2 last year before running into Broad Ripple in the sectional tournament. That won't happen this year as the Eagles dropped from 2A to 1A, giving the team a considerably more forgiving path.

They've also brought back 18 returning starters, including the county's top-rated passer last season, Sawyer Arnold, and the county's rush yardage leader in Lucas Lorian.

Lorian averaged almost 20 carries per game last year and spent the offseason bulking up and preparing for an even bigger load this year. That backfield leadership will give Eagles fans a lot to be excited about.

North Putnam took a step backward last season but the Cougars I've talked to think it wasn't more than a deke.

They'll have more stability at quarterback this year, a spot that fluctuated last season, and their leadership overall seems to be more solid. For whatever it means, the guys are just having more fun on the field.

If that translates to wins on Fridays, and it's a big piece of the high school football puzzle, the Cougars will quickly get right back to where they finished two years ago -- as a team that is feared or respected by every opponent.

The Clovers were last in the standings the past several seasons but they aren't preparing like it. The team has lacked stability at coach but that has led to the players taking on leadership roles for themselves.

CHS players are carrying a chip on their shoulders and preparing to throw it in the face of their doubters, beginning week one at Brown County. New head coach Jarrod Duff is backing it up, guiding the players and giving them direction, but letting them provide their own drive.

That led to a big offensive day in their scrimmage on Friday and could lead to a surprising season.

The players all around the county believe it. They've spent the offseason working hard in the weight room and in the film room. They've also been constructing metaphorical bandwagons and anyone can hop on.