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FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Tigers have many replacements set to fill graduation openings
DePauw ended a long winning streak last fall by Wabash in the long-standing rivalry between the two schools.
Now, the Tigers have their eyes set on winning the North Coast Athletic Conference championship and earning a spot in the NCAA Division III playoffs.
“We’re looking forward to getting going,” head coach Bill Lynch said last week, two days before his players were scheduled to report. “We have the makings of a good football team, but we do have some people to place.”
At the top of that list is four-year quarterback Matt Hunt, who passed for more than 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.
“We have some guys ready to step up who have practiced well over the years, but haven’t gotten the chance to play yet,” Lynch said.
Looking to step up are senior Jake Lasky of Lafayette Harrison and junior Matt Labus of Guerin Catholic.
“They are both really good football player,” Lynch said. “We have some other young guys behind them who will be competitive.”
Lynch feels confident in his receiving corps, which includes second-team all-NCAC selection Andy Hunt and Chase Sadler.
Three linemen return in tackles Andrew Saunders and Jeremy Trudell and center Ashaun Miller.
Tailback Jason Kirchhoff was a two-time all-NCAC selection, but also graduated.
Players looking to step in for him include juniors DeMarco Henry and Ramon Lopez.
“Offensively, we have some weapons,” Lynch said. “The biggest thing is going to find out who the quarterback is going to be. I have a lot of confidence in the guys who are competing.”
Defensively, the Tigers lost three of their team captains in Cody Baker (40 straight starts), Will Longthorne and Mike Mitsch.
Lynch also feels he has capable people ready to take their places.
Junior Matthew Mitsch, Mike’s brother, returns and shapes up to be one of the replacements at defensive end, along with senior Joel Kauth of North Montgomery.
At linebacker, junior Matt Krupi and Zach Williams are both ready to go, Lynch said.
In the secondary, Rocky Leffler, David Corey, Brooks Hepp (who led the nation in pass breakups last year) and Michael Grace are all guys who think we have a lot of ability.
“Hopefully our program is to the point where it’s ‘next man up’ and we can replace the people we lose,” he said. “You never know when you’re going to be surprised with some freshmen, but we have juniors and seniors who are ready to fill in.”
“There is good talent, and they have certainly worked hard,” he said. “All in all, there are new names who will be out there but there is good talent.”
Lynch likes his incoming class of 50 recruits, and expects to start with a roster of about 130 players.
“It helps that we play six junior varsity games,” he said. “We can get a look at guys in game competition.
“We have some good offensive linemen and quarterbacks. We’re excited about them.”