South Putnam has big shoes to fill, very optimistic

South Putnam's offense goes toe-to-toe with the defense. (Banner Graphic/JAY LCOKETT)

The South Putnam Eagles are coming off a successful season, winning county and going perfect in the WCC. This season the conference is bigger and second-year head coach Nathan Aker said the offseason was key in getting his players on the same page.

"We had a really good offseason and we talked about that a lot in the months prior to where we are now," Aker said. "We were just trying to get everybody to gel together as a team. We've done a great job with that. We had a few summer experiences. We traveled and scrimmaged some other teams and we really started to develop that bond."

South Putnam was able to get a scrimmage with Cascade and Owen Valley, two conference rivals but who aren't on the regular season schedule. The Eagles also made a trip to Bloomington to scrimmage several teams.

Junior Kyle Shaffer breaks a run to the outside during the Blue and White scrimmage at South Putnam. The Eagles will play Cloverdale in the season opener on Friday.(Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

"The main thing now is to develop that depth," Aker said. "We really like where we are with the ones and twos. We're trying to build up the rest of the crew there so we can have interchangeable parts."

While the team has a lot players returning and a lot of size on defense and offense, the Eagles have already experienced some bad luck. Senior leader Trevor Long was sidelined in the team scrimmage and the South Putnam coaching staff will have to make plans without the 6-2 lineman.

"Injuries come and go and we've got to make sure we can plug away," Aker said. "That happened last year and that's happened to us a little already this year. So we want to focus on plugging and planning so that we can still do what we do."

South Putnam opens the season Friday against county rival Cloverdale and Aker wants his team to be competitive in the early parts of the season.

"For these kids, no one has higher expectations than they themselves do," Aker said. "Our big focus has been start fast and finish strong. We got off to a slow start last year. We want to make sure we reverse that train. We want to start immediately."

Aker acknowledges the expectations for a team with such past successes and he is also confident in his team ability. He said he saw many good things in the scrimmages as well as the offseason and he is optimistic about the team's prowess.

"We're getting off on the right foot and I'm expecting big things from this group," Aker said. "We have some big shoes to fill. Zane Yon was great player for us and Lucas Lorian was too. But guys have embraced those new spots. Kyle Shaffer slides back to tailback. He's had a tremendous offseason. He's getting his mind and body ready for that role."

Other positions such as the offensive line were more of a question mark for the Eagles, but Aker said that players like senior Matt Schnepp have added depth to the roster.

Aker also said that receiver Jimmy Rutter and Brandon Gierke have provided great examples for players as well. Gierke has moved from center to tight end and with Rutter out wide, the passing game for the Eagles should be successful against many teams in the conference.

"We've got a good attitude now," Aker said. "With the good offseason, they are stronger and faster. They've done things right. I think with that work comes a little confidence. If we can get to a good start that will only build. When that confidence builds, the possibilities are endless."