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Indianapolis Lutheran new opponent, but coach is familiar to South Putnam
The South Putnam football team is one win away from accomplishing what it set out to before the season started, winning the county, conference and sectional championships.
Standing in its way is Indianapolis Lutheran, an uncommon opponent with a familiar coach. Dave Pasch took over the Saints' program in 2008 and has guided the team to a 37-29 record in his six seasons at the school. Prior to that, he coached North Putnam to a 65-57 record in 11 seasons.
The final two came with SPHS coach Troy Burgess guiding the Eagles.
"Son of a gun, I've never beat him," Burgess said. "With each game, the competition level gets better and better and this is a perfect example of it."
While the two teams have never met during the regular season -- Lutheran is its eighth full season and plays primarily Indianapolis-based opponents -- they begin the year with an annual preseason scrimmage.
There's not always a lot to be gained from a scrimmage in terms of strategy or scouting, but it did give the Eagles a chance to see how they match up physically and athletically.
"They're big and physical and have two or three big, physical running backs," Burgess said. "This will be the biggest, strongest most physical team that we've seen all year long."
At North Putnam and in previous seasons, Pasch teams have been aggressive spreading the field and attacking with the pass.
This season, Burgess said, the Saints have adjusted to their personnel and begun to run more behind a physical line and big running backs.
"He's gone to what we do," he said. "He's going to lineup double-tight, he's going to lineup in an I backfield and he's going to run the football. ... That's why Dave is such a good coach. He's willing to take the personnel he has, adapt what he's doing and use that."
The Eagles have faced plenty of big running teams this season, and while they usually win, the defense has struggled at times to get off the field against rush teams, particularly on the road.
The Eagles have been able to control the clock at home and outscored opponents 49.7-9.5 in home games, but they've grinded when away from South Putnam High School. In road games the Eagles' margin is just 23.0-12.6.
"We've got to get on that bus on Friday and we've got to have ourselves mentally ready to play," Burgess said. "We just haven't done that a few times. ... We've got to be focused and we've got to be mentally tough."
South Putnam has been focused on coming out sharp this week in all facets off the game.
They are ready to play for what they have sighted all season, a sectional championship.
"During the season you want to win, but you're building toward this," Burgess said. "The ultimate goal is to be playing on Thanksgiving, and this is just one step closer to that. It's exciting for our kids.
"There's a lot of football players and football coaches right now that can't find their fix. They need their football fix because they're done. They've been beaten in the tournament. We still have that opportunity to come up here every day in practice and that's why we do it."