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FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Tiger Cubs looking to build upon memorable 2016 campaign
Greencastle pulled off one of the best year-to-year turnaround in state history last fall by going from 1-9 to 9-2, only to be eliminated from the sectional tourney by a 99-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of a tie game.
While several key performers from that team return this season, many others were lost to graduation and leave some big holes to fill.
Coach Mike Meyer thinks he has the players to fill those holes, and is pleased with how practice has gone so far.
“We are going in the right direction,” he said. “Everybody has been working hard, and we have been avoiding injuries that would disrupt what we’re trying to do. The senior class has stepped up and done a great job of leading us, and we have a junior class that is pushing them. I feel pretty good right now.”
The Tiger Cubs played Southmont in their scrimmage on Friday.
“We started off slowly, but we finished strong,” Meyer said. “Defensively we looked so lid, and offensively I thought Alex Costin looked good at quarterback.”
Costin, a junior, takes over the quarterback spot from his brother Nick – who now plays at Wabash College.
Meyer also thought that new tight end Gavin Bollman, a 6-5 junior, and new tailback Andrew Fajt (also a junior) have also adjusted to their roles well.
Jackie Scanland was last year’s tight end, and now plays at Franklin College. The Tiger Cubs lost a pair of standout tailbacks in starter Devin Clar and capable reserve Derek Ummel. Clar now plays at the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky.
“Andrew is a different type of runner than Devin,” Meyer noted. “Devin was our horse last year, and he carried us quite a bit.”
The offensive line has some holes to fill with the graduations of center Spence Rhine (also at Wabash) and Elijah Williams (competing in track and field at Hanover). A large portion of the defensive line returns, including Bollman, Cade Winslow, Jacob Meyer and Marcus Watson.
“I am confident in what they can do,” he said. “I feel good, and hopefully we can stay healthy and keep plugging.”
Costin was a receiver last year, along with graduated J.T. Matthews (now competing in track and field at Marian). Meyer noted that Jacob Meyer and Abe Wade have helped step into those roles.
Dakota Campbell, a sophomore who carried the ball some at the end of last year, is also stepping up as a safety and J-back.
“We have a lot of guys who have come in ready to play,” he said. “Our inside linebackers are pretty solid with Brayden Bollman and Trever Wood. We have some guys who got a little bit of time last year, and now bigger things are expected.
“We have some guys waiting in the wings who are looking to get some time,” Meyer added. “We have some options as the season goes along.”
Last year’s Tiger Cub team ran the ball for a majority of the plays, but Meyer expects to see more passing this year.
“I think we’re looking at about 50-50,” he said. “I think we’ll be able to balance it up a little better than last year. With the personnel we have, I think we’ll be more diverse offensively. On defense, we’ll continue to be aggressive and come after people.”
Meyer notes that the success of last year has carried over.
“You see it, but every team had a different personality,” he said. “Last year’s team had things about it that made it special. This team is creating its identity as we go. It’s what makes coaching and teaching fun, is when you get a different group of kids.
“The chemistry is different,” he said. “We have a lot of good kids, and they are confident. They have played a lot up to this point. Several in the senior class have played for three years now, and guys are stepping up. Our coaches all feel pretty good about things.”