By Bob Kelly
Feature writer

Logan Neidlinger is living his dream.

Any fan can now find Neidlinger running up and down a soccer field as a defender and member of the Indy Eleven men’s professional soccer team competing in the USL Championship league that the United States Soccer Federation sanctions.

It is the classic dream-come-true scenario.

The parents of the Southside Indianapolis native put him in a soccer league at the tender age of 3 years old at the Arthur R. Baxter Branch of the YMCA. He competed in soccer during its fall and spring seasons. It proved to be the start of his love for his favorite sport.

After two-year stints at Jeremiah Gray Elementary School and St. Jude Catholic School, Neidlinger headed off to Roncalli High School where he played for two years. He wanted to pursue a soccer career while in high school and asked the administration about an alternative to complete his classwork.

“I approached them at Roncalli and asked about accommodating my morning training routine. I was told it was not possible, so I had to take classes online and on my own to pursue my soccer career. I am happy with how it eventually worked out for me.” Neidlinger’s high school degree is from Indiana University High School online.
 
Neidlinger told The Southsider Voice how his interest in soccer grew not just by playing it, but by watching it, too. “My favorite player growing up was Cristiano Ronaldo, who is a Portuguese soccer player, and I would watch videos of him all of the time,” he said. “Besides him, I looked up to my brothers who played soccer at Speedway High School.”

He explains how an event helped pique his interest in the game. “I attended a game where Chelsea FC played against Inter Milan in a friendly preseason match in August 2013. I thought the match and the atmosphere were great. It was my first exposure to professional soccer. I knew after that match that it was something that I wanted to be part of one day.”

The path to getting a chance to play for Indy Eleven received a boost when Neidlinger participated in an Indy Fire Academy. “I signed up to play for it which is now a feeder team for Indy Eleven,” he said. “I never dreamed of going pro in soccer so early, but I got my chance with the Indy Eleven, and I am going to take advantage of it.”

Neidlinger told The Southsider Voice that there is a perk to his current amateur contract even though he does not receive a salary for playing on the team. “You are able to retain your amateur ability with this contract. It is up to the player to perform and show they are ready to play on the necessary level to get a contract to where one is paid. If  you are an amateur and not being paid, you have the ability to play in college if you want to get a degree and play for your college team.”

He described how he scored his first goal with the team which proved to be the only goal in the contest for Indy Eleven. Neidlinger became the youngest player in Indy Eleven franchise history to score a goal in a recent match against New Mexico United.

“Our team picked up the ball after a header and I was close to the opponent’s line. He got the ball to me and later I was able to get off a good kick that bounced off the goalie.”

Neidlinger rates his Indy Eleven experience highly. “I would say it has been an eight on a scale of one to ten. It is an eight because everyone’s journey is different and has taught me this is what I want to do in life.
​ Despite all the ups and downs, it can be scary because you do not know what the journey is and do not know where you are headed and I just put all of my trust in God.”

By Al Stilley
Editor

Once again, all Southside football teams are improved for the new season that begins Friday night.

Three-peat state champion Lutheran and Center Grove are state-ranked, as expected. The Saints advance to 2A with their state tournament success. CG is balanced and a 6A title threat again.

Greenwood Christian Academy that had a surprise winning season last year is sectional eligible this season.
Franklin Central should improve its rugged HCC record, same for Perry Meridian and Greenwood in the Mid-state as they get competitive with Whiteland and Decatur Central.

Roncalli expects to bounce back from a rare losing season with new coach Sam Otley.

Player numbers are up at Christel House Manual and Beech Grove with new coaches, respectively Edward Childress and Rajshaun Mosley.

Here’s the team-by-team outlook (2023 stats by Max Preps):

CENTER GROVE (6A, 11-2)
Three-peat 6A state champion Center Grove stumbled in a hard-fought semistate loss to rival Ben Davis, 37-34 last season. Going that deep still added to the historic football program on the deep Southside.

Always a state playoff target, the Trojans have 19 sectional, 18 regional, eight semistate, and five state champions.

CG takes aim at another historic campaign even after graduating all-state quarterback Tyler Cherry (218 completions, (3,156 yards, 34 TDs) and all-statewide receiver Noah Coy (97 catches, 1,417 yards, 27 TDs).

Cherry and linebacker Kaden McConnell are at Indiana University with linebacker Owen Bright at Purdue.

Coach Eric Moore, now in his 26th year at the helm is used to reloading each year with players who have been in the system for a long time. With 295 overall wins, the fifth win this season would give him 300 career triumphs.

The Trojans program has changed since leaving the MIC by playing more teams nationally. Only three MIC teams remain on the schedule.

The offense features many returnees: quarterback Gabe McWilliams, who saw very limited action last year, running backs Austin Hennessy and Jackson Browning, with senior wideouts Brevin Holubar (39 catches, 744 yards, six TDs) and Triston Baxter and soph Drake McClurg.

Seniors CJ Scifres and Landon Johnson anchor the o-line.

The d-line is exceptional with Koby Cherry (70 tackles), Ryder Woolwine (51 tackles), Lincoln Bright (45 tackles), and Augie Argbah (28 tackles).

Seniors Ben Tapak (37 tackles) and Luke Barrett (34 tackles) lead the defense as d-backs, but the challenge will be piecing together a young corps of line backs and d-backs.
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As the season progresses, the Trojans will become more of a threat to go deep into the playoffs.
The Trojans open Friday against Westfield.

​DECATUR CENTRAL (5A, 11-3)
By Steve Page

With a historically based motto “212 Degrees – Burn the Boats,” the Hawks are looking to raise the heat this season against their opponents.

An interesting motto for players in a program that won the 2023 Mid-State Conference and reached the IHSAA Class 5A state championship game.

“The foundation, standard and culture have been set,” veteran coach Kyle Enright said. “And it’s up to our current leaders to not only maintain those expectations, but to build on them.”

Enright returns with 11 seniors from an efficient squad that rushed for 246 yards passing and 121 yards rushing per game.

Veteran quarterback, Bo Polston, a 6-2 junior returns after throwing for 1,614 yards and 19 TDs and running for 460 yards and six more TDs. Braylon Morris is Polston’s backup.

Polston can throw to wide receivers Fa’Rel Carter (21 catches, 169 yards), Carson Ison (nine catches, 75 yards), Kasmir Hicks, Mikey Wilson, and Amari Graves .

The ground game depends upon two senior running backs, N’Po Dodo (1,194 yards rushing and 8 TDs) and Brycen Bonawitt, Jalen Leath, and sophomore Hunter Harvey also fit in the backfield.

Senior James Gibson leads the o-line with juniors Alec Surber and Tyler Cooper.

The Hawks have a young and sizeable front line on defense with Maurice Carter and Bryce Johnson with Surber and Cooper.

 Only four defensive starters return to the odd stack defense that allowed just 112 passing and 126 rushing yards per game last year.

Bonawitt (58 tackles) and junior Mykul Campbell (75 tackles) are key linebackers.

Senior Eric Amanfo and Shelton Richards provide experience for a young secondary.
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Senior Ashton Vogel returns as the kicker/ punter with 18 field goals, 40 PATs, and averaging 34.9 per punt.

GREENWOOD (6-6) – Greenwood got off to a fast 3-0 start last season under new coach Justin Boser and stumbled through a 2-5 Mid-State campaign before recovering and reaching a 4A Sectional championship game against eventual back-to-back state champion East Central.

The Woodmen graduated the program’s all-time leading passer Brook Riddle (174 completions, 2,900 TDs, 32 TDs) and single-season reception record holder Amare Middleton (1,013 yards, 11 TDs) along with most of its o-line.

The offense put up more than 40 points in each game won, but the defense was porous in six losses.
“They took to what we wanted offensively, but once we got into conference play our deficiencies caught up to us,” Boser observed. “Our defense this season is where our offense was at this time last year.”

The Woodmen are no longer a senior-based team like they have been traditionally.

“A lot of our leaders on that team are no longer with us, not on the field but in the weight room and the locker room,” Boser said. “We were senior heavy with a few juniors.”

Boser continued, “This is a team that will be led by sophomores, juniors, and seniors. They have to rely on each other; it’s a group that has begun to come together, bottom to top.”

The defense will have to carry the Woodmen early this season. Boser has juggled some players around with many players capable of playing both sides of the ball.
​
A solid defense is led by linemen, junior Carson Andreas (39 tackles), seniors Brady Cave (35 tackles) and Carter Swain (28 tackles), and sophomore Andre Watson (15 tackles). Sophomore Davion Jones moves from safety to corner linebacker with a corps of Ethan Lobb, Anthony Scaramazzo, Dominick Williams, and AJ Weathers. Cave could see some action as an inside linebacker.

Gunner Ruppert (106 tackles) and Ethan Reed (20 tackles) are the defensive safeties.

Boser has made several moves to fill holes in the offense. Andreas goes on the left side with Alex Kramer, Andre Watson from guard to center, and Alex Skinner and Ezekial Faulkens on the right side.

Junior Ayden Houseman, who saw limited action last year, is at quarterback with Scaramazzo in the backfield. Receivers include Jones, Josh Carroll, and Benjamin Hommell.
​
“We are a very young skilled position team,” Boser said. “Most have played in our system in JV last year and understand what we want to do offensively and defensively. So this isn’t anything new. They have seen it and learned it through the spring and summer.”

GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN (1A, 5-4)
Playing a nine-game regular-season schedule for the first time, the Cougars came away with a seemingly impossible winning season. They averaged an impressive 324 yards total offense per game. This season, GCA is eligible for the first time to compete in a Class A Sectional.

The Cougars amazing path began three years ago with few players and coaches that had to place large trash cans for opposing players to help with their own blocking schemes.

“We are miles ahead of our past two seasons,” coach Andre Dobson understated. “We are still teaching the game but we’re able to spend more time on the finer details.”

All Cougars from the 2023 team return with the exception of a running back who transferred to nearby 6A Center Grove and a senior to fulltime soccer.

Junior quarterback Trey Dobson (75 completions, 1,239 yards, 11 TDs; 96 carries, 641 yards) is experienced beyond his schoolboy years thanks to journeys with his dad to summer football camps in Spain.

“His ability to look at a defense and call audibles sets him apart,” Dobson observed. “And that helps so much when your play-caller makes the best play possible for your best shot at the maximum yards possible.”

Dobson can throw to familiar targets, senior running back Evan McIntire (27 catches, 596 yards; 54 carries, 384 yards, three TDs), wide receiver Zach Haynes (15 catches, 179 yards, one TD), and junior running back Daniel Honeycutt.

GCA also returns with several linemen on offense and a four-man front on defense with seniors Jack Franey, Tad Speedy, Eli Jackson, junior Cayden Pasch, and  sophomores Caleb McKinley, Jaxson Stephens, and Alex Butts. Franey may see action as a linebacker with Honeycutt, juniors Brenden Partlow, Bryce Drane, and Owen Vrshek.

D-backs include Brandt Kieninger, Haynes, and sophomore AJ Dick.

Coach Dobson and his family enjoyed the summer with a trip to his hometown of Bellingham, Wash., instead of his usual stint overseas. He will resume coaching players next summer at a camp in Spain.

Focusing on the ’24 campaign, Dobson said, “Definitely looking forward to the season as we take this program to the next level and first sectional. We have high expectations.”
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GCA’s home games will be played at the Beech Grove Middle School field. The Cougars open Friday against visiting Park Tudor, the first of their consecutive home games.

LUTHERAN (2A, 13-0) – The Saints move up to the Class 2A playoffs this season because of their success factor of winning three consecutive state championships. They also own the state’s longest winning streak of 43 games in a row.

Graduation left the Saints with holes to be filled on the line and at linebacker as well as replacing running back Brayden Hall (2,117 yards, 32 TDs) now at Franklin College.
​
“Every year I’ve been a coach, you look back at the team the year before and you have always graduated away key players,” Pasch said. “The measure of a program is when you can establish quality from top to bottom. When those guys graduate, you replace them with players who are equally measurable.”

Entering his 17th season at Lutheran (151-53), Pasch expresses confidence in coming up with quality replacements.

The offense begins with senior quarterback Jackson Willis (136 completions, 2,555 yards, 31 TDs). Willis has thrown for 86 career TDs and over 6,600 yards. He can throw to a trio of experienced receivers with seniors DeVaun Jones (28 catches, 611 yards, nine TDs), LJ Ward (17 catches, 311 yards, six TDs), and JaVarrea Cooper (25 catches, 497 yards, seven TDs). Newcomer Landyn Hazelwood adds depth to a highly talented corps. D'Marco Wilson takes over at running back.

The front line is anchored by returning starters Owen Lecher and Rai McHenry. Senior Sam Cohn and junior Davis Blankenship move up. Newcomers Logan Kennerk and Nathan McGee, also vying for linebacker, would go on o-line.

The defensive line features Rai McHaney and Nathan Hicks. Cameron McHaney has left to attend IMG Academy for basketball skills.
​
Owen Lecher returns at middle linebacker where he could be joined by senior Joseph Luna-Nix, juniors Hudson Mills and Zander Scearce, and soph Jacob Parham at the linebacker spots.
Jones, Ward, and Cooper will do double duty and shore up the deep back positions.
The Saints open Friday against visiting Christel House Manual.

Lutheran’s proficient passing attack relies upon veteran receivers LJ Ward, left, and Javerrea and quarterback Jackson Willis.

Linemen, from left, Sam Cohn, Owen Lecher, Rai McHenry, and Nate Hicks form solid defense for Lutheran’s Saints.

PERRY MERIDIAN (6A, 2-8) – Falcons made progress last season but their record didn’t show it as they dropped their last four regular season games by an average of only 6.2 points.

“We left a lot of points on the field last year, so our kids are really hungry to get after it,” Cooper said. “We were tied or led seven games going into the fourth quarter which made it frustrating to lose. We want to keep our momentum throughout the whole game. We have to finish games to win them. Honestly, this is the most experienced team I’ve had here.”

Under coach Brett Cooper for his fifth season, these Falcons are bigger and faster with solid experience at key positions with seniors, namely Allen Zupan (1,281 yards passing, eight TDs) and receivers Byron Hon (691 yards receiving), Ethan Neffle (12.8 yards per catch), and running backs Andy Hunter (526 yards rushing, 10 TDs) and Jonathan Hunter (250 yards, two TDs) with Brycen Richer anchoring the line.

Defensively, the Falcons should show even more improvement with Hon (47 tackles) at cornerback and Richer up front, and all-time leader in tackles Andy Warren (129 tackles) at linebacker. Ryan Drake and two-year starter Garrett Eagan are up front. Linebackers include Isaac Williams (76 tackles), Tyson Thalley, and junior Colton Barker (31 tackles, two interceptions).

Warren, Richer, and Hon are fourth-year starters.

“Depth-wise and experience wise, we feel pretty good about both sides of the ball,” Cooper said. “We’re almost a two-platoon team.”

The Falcons open Friday at traditional opening-game rival Franklin Central.
​
“Franklin Central is an upper echelon program and a great gauge for us to start the season,” Cooper observed. “It’s a great first game for our program and it gets us ready for our conference (Mid-State) play.”
Under Cooper in 2022, the Falcons were 4-7, winning three of their last six games. Perry Meridian has not had a winning season since 2003 when they were 7-4.

Perry Meridian’s offensive leaders are, from left, running backs Jonathan Hunter and Byron Hon, quarterback Allen Zupan, and lineman Brycen Richer.

​RONCALLI (4A, 4-7)
By Steve Page

There is, notes Sam Otley, an upside to Roncalli’s football struggles in 2023.

That may appear difficult, given the Royals slipped from a 12-2 record the year before to a painful 4-7 mark last season, their first such outcome since 2018.

“There were a lot young guys last year who got to step in,” Otley said of sophomores and juniors. “Friday Night Football. It’s different than when you’re thrown into fire as a sophomore; you learn fast. With the attitude they have, they’re ready to go show what they’re made of.”

A 2011 Roncalli grad who has been an assistant coach for the Royals since 2016, Otley steps into the role of head coach after two seasons as the team’s offensive coordinator.

It’s not like Otley and the Royals are starting over.

Both of last year’s quarterbacks return.

Colin Ash, now a junior, completed 92 of 163 passes for 870 yards and eight touchdowns. Jayden Buchanan, now a senior, was 23-40 for 292 yards.

“They’re both really good athletes,” Otley said. “They’ll be productive on offense all over the field. So that’s exciting for us.”

As are the prospects at running back.

“All three of those guys, Henry Adams (5-8, 163), Rogan Benich (5-10, 190) and Robert Houser (5-11, 180) got a lot of reps,” Otley noted. Adams rushed for 284 yards.

 “It’s good to have a crew of three who can run the football. They’re all unique in what they have. What we do will be based on how they run the football.”

The Royals can catch the ball as well.

“Junior Zach Dozier (5-10, 174) is one of those sophomores who got playing time last year,” Otley said. “That’s been a group that has done well. They have a lot of experience. There are a lot of savvy veterans.

“That’s a good thing to have – more skill guys competing for the ball. Our wide receiver and running back groups have a lot of guys back. They’re motivated, they’re good leaders. They’re going to be at the forefront of our offense, that’s for sure.”

They’ll run behind a line that, according to Otley, has grown.

“That’s the group that had a lot of sophomores last year stepping in against a pretty significant schedule,” he said. “Being on the scout team is good, but they got to experience Friday Night football. It’s made them all better. They wore that badge of honor last year. Now, they can show what they’re capable of doing.”

That group includes guards Zane Baker (6-3, 250) and Dane Clouse (6-0, 280) and tackle John Haworth (6-2, 234).

The defensive front looks equally strong.
“Across the board, that’s the oldest group we’ve got, with four seniors and a junior getting reps,” Otley said. “There’s Nathan Turner (6-2, 240), junior Landon Scott (6-1, 219), returning starter Casey Horton (6-2, 210).”
Turner and Sam Neu each had 30 tackles last year.

“There’s depth behind them, with a couple guys ready to step in,” Otley said. “They work hard in the weight room. They’re fun to go against every day. They’re definitely making our offensive line better.”

There’s more.

“From returning experience, the secondary is going to be good for us,” Otley said.

That group includes third-year starters AJ Richardson, 41 tackles, and Sam Roeder (6-0, 175, 34 tackles).

“The secondary and the line are a good group of kids. They busted their tails in the weight room this season. It’s exciting to see. Those are two groups that have high expectations.”

Otley said balance is the key.

“Both sides of the ball play really well off each other. There’s really great competition. Our offense pushes, and our defense pushes. They’re balanced, they practice well together. The balance between the two gives us the ability to play off of one another.”

“Roncalli is a special place that’s had a significant impact on me throughout my life,” Otley said. “It’s an honor to lead the program as head coach.

“I have a great group of assistant coaches. I’m still the offensive coordinator; I still call the plays.

Two guys, Will Kiesel and Justin Hornek, work with our offensive line; they’re guys I trust. That allows me to work with different groups, and work with the defense as well. That’s been the biggest change – the flexibility to work with different groups in the team”

Roncalli’s seniors on the defensive side of the ball are (from left) Parker St. John, Johnny Jaffe, Nathan Turner, David Wilson, AJ Richardson, Sam Neu, Alex Winchester, Eli Lauck, Nate Love, Dom Elsener and Robert Houser.
(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTOS BY STEVE PAGE)

Roncalli’s seniors on offense are (from left) Henry Adams, Andrew Biltz, Jayden Buchanan, Nick Armin, Rudy Schoettle, Drew Nelson, Rogan Benich, Carson Weed, Nick Bastida and Peyton Sisk.

SOUTHPORT (6A, 2-8) – One big day to remember in Southport football lore is Sept. 29, 2023. That’s when the Cardinals snapped a 28-game
consecutive losing skid that stretched over two and one-half seasons by dominating Terre Haute North, 43-7 in front of a joyous crowd in Cardinal Stadium.

“You can’t put that win into words as to what it meant to the entire program,” Bettag recalled. “To be able to watch the kids celebrate, it was like Christmas morning; it was absolutely phenomenal.”

The Cardinals were dealt a big blow early in the season when senior quarterback Bryce Calvert (Wittenburg) suffered a season-ending knee injury.

The Cardinals later defeated Tech in their first playoff win since 2019.

Those two wins gave added meaning to a 30-foot wide, three-foot high poster that has been hanging inside the locker room since 2021: “Expect Victory.”

“That poster means something now,” Bettag said. “These kids have worked their tails off and they now expect to win. This is by far the most athletic and quickest team I’ve had here, and that’s a testimony to their hard work in the weight room.”

Bettag also added that team speed has improved because 34 football players were on the track team last spring compared to six players during his first year at the helm in 2021.

Junior quarterback Gavin Cummins (74 of 152 passes, four TDs) returns.

“There was a learning curve there,” Bettag said. “Gavin got better every week, so we have a quarterback we can work with. We want him to manage the game and not make a bad play worse. He’s a good athlete. He’s tough.”

Cummins is joined by running backs Tony Taylor and Jeremiah Stanovic (619 yards rushing, five TDs). Cardinal receivers are seniors Braylon Koenig and Nilyn Compton with soph Liam Wilson and Tristan Dudas at tight end.

A mobile o-line features junior Craig Reed Jr. at center and Andreas Poulakis and Cooper Gannon on the left side with the right side up for grabs.

Defensively the front four features returning seniors Dominic Shanklin (57 tackles) and Charlie Hansell (74 tackles) who moves from linebacker plus newcomers D’Anthony Moore and Jace Hancock. Shanklin and Hansel are at the ends with contenders 6-7 James Kalala and Aganze Mulumeoderwa. The linebacking corps includes returnees Stanovic (29 tackles), Poulakis, Fabian Tapscott (team high 107 tackles), Trent Baker (74 tackles) , Freddy Landaverry, and Mason Deckard. Third year starters Malachi Kennedy (57 tackles) and Ricky Sanders (43 tackles) are d-backs with Tynel Tyler.

“There is plenty of experience on defense,” Bettag said. “It’s been fun to watch them fly around in practice because they are just as fast as the offense or faster. Our entire secondary consists of 100- and 200-meter guys.”

Bettag also praised the Cardinals coaches throughout their climb.
​
Southport opens Friday in Cardinal Stadium against Roncalli and then visits Perry Meridian for the Battle of Perry Township, Aug. 30.

Southport fields an improved offense with, from left, front, Craig Reed Jr., Tony Taylor, Braylon Koening, Liam Wilson, back row, Johnathan Kennedy, Dayton Robertson, Malachi Kennedy, Cooper Gannon, Austin Van Velse, and Gavin Cummins.
​​(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTOS BY AL STILLEY)

Southport’s defense is shored up by, from left, front row, Ricky Sanders, Freddy Landaverry, Fabian Tapscott, back row, Dominique Shanklin, James Kalala, D’Anthony Moore, Jeremiah Stanovic, Charlie Hansell, and Trent Baker.

WHITELAND (5A, 7-5)
Seeking a three-peat sectional championship, the Warriors return with 26 letterwinners, including seven returning starters on offense and seven on offense.

“With last year’s team, it was a race to maturity,” said veteran coach Darrin Fisher. “We had only three returning players. “There’s not a substitute for good experience. The only way to get experience is to play football. So I expect this year’s team to do more.”

Senior running back Slate Valentine, a shifty 5-10 runner (248 carries, 1,940 yards, 20 TDs) is Hoosierland’s top returning rusher.

“He has the uncanny ability to change direction without slowing down,” Fisher observed. “He practices very hard, too.”

Junior Jordan Palmer, a two-year starter, returns at linebacker. The 217-pound defender had 57 solo tackles, 49 assists, three interceptions, and two sacks. He also had 24 carries for 174 yards and a touchdown.

“We want our players to have that intellectual brutality for football, and he’s that poster child, for sure,” Fisher praised. “He leads by example and by what needs to be said.”

Senior quarterback Oliver Taylor (36 completions, 540 yards, three TDs) returns in the backfield with senior running back Connor Grismer (21 carries, 72 yards, one TD) and linemen Kaden Willoughby (252 pounds), Kaden Fleming (276 pounds), and Jonah McIntosh (295 pounds). Taylor also can throw to tight end Peyton Williams and wide receivers Eli Zehr and Hank Trimble. Juniors Abe Gonzalez and Henry Teagardin and sophomores Cristian Hayden and Camden Williams provide o-line depth.

Returning defensive starters are seniors Ayden Shaffer and linebacker Grismer plus junior safeties Clayton Ratliff and Dane Kunz plus linebackers Jake Klemme and Ian Lewis. The Warriors are loaded with linebacker depth.

And there’s plenty of depth up front with linemen Evan Scudder, Nick Hamilton, Jason Guevara, Luke Grismer, and Jason Branscum.

Fisher emphasized that he likes this year’s squad because they are high caliber kids and are great teammates and they play smart and physical (“intellectual brutality”).

Fisher (137-78) is in his 20th season at the Warriors helm with seven Mid-State, six sectional and one regional and semistate championships. The Warriors were state 5A runner-up against Valparaiso, 35-31 in 2022.

Fisher’s focus is preparing his team for a solid October, saying, “If you don’t win in October, you won’t be able to win in November.”

Overall, the Warriors have a 75-30 record at James Sleighter Field on campus. They have had seven seasons without a home loss since 2006. With 11 winning seasons in 12 outings, no wonder “Friday Night Lights” are so popular in Whiteland.
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“Football matters in this town,” Fisher praised the community. “We are proud of that.”
Whiteland opens Friday against visiting Jeffersonville.

Whiteland’s defensive leaders are experienced and talented, from left, juniors, linebacker Ian Lewis, safety Clayton Ratliff, and pre-season all-state linebacker Jordan Palmer, senior lineman Ayden Shaffer, and junior cornerback Jake Klemme.
​(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTOS BY AL STILLEY)

Key returnees in Whiteland’s backfield on offense are, from left, seniors, fullback Connor Grismer and quarterback Oliver Taylor, junior fullback Jordan Palmer, and pre-season all-state senior running back Slate Valentine.

Whiteland’s talented offensive line features seniors, from left, Kaden Willoughby, Kaden Fleming, and Jonah McIntosh. The trio started all 12 games for the Warriors last season.