Defensive backs, from left, Mateo Hodge, Luca Hodge, Nicholas Luedeman and Aiden Ewers plan to keep opponents at bay.
(3-8) – Fifth-year coach Grant Lewis invited to Manning football camp during summer for first time … rough initiation last year in rugged Hoosier Crossroads Conference … Flashes battled evenly against Center Grove in sectional … graduated 25 seniors from a solid athletic squad, including quarterback Dylan Bishop, running back Johnnie Mickle, wide receiver Malieki Parks and lineman Peyton Lamping … strength at defense with nine returning starters … senior linebacker Nate Talhelm, among the state’s best, leads with all-conference Cruz Reed, Luca Hodge and Aiden Evans … experience reigns at safety with seniors Nicholas Luedeman and Matteo Hodge …d-line returnees are senior DeShawn Young and juniors Antoine Alexander and Gabe Simmons … senior Gavin Keesee moves to linebacker with junior Luke Shoemaker … soph Peyton Vieweigh takes over at quarterback … hard-working junior Josh Ruley and shifty soph Taveon Jordan continue running-back tradition … all-new o-line features soph Carlos Lemus at tackle plus classmates Mason Cook and Evan Adams … versatile junior Emmanuel Lewis at tight end … solid defense must lead early while offense finds way against rugged HCC foes and Southside rivals … look for improved record.
Coach’s comments: “Our kids have a better understanding of what they need in this new conference. We cannot make any mental mistakes that allow our opponents to take advantage of us. With our out-of-conference schedule, there are no weeks off. Last year’s team gave us a good start in the conference. When we played Center Grove two years ago, we had eight wins under our belt, and they wiped the field with us; last year we played them well in sectional. We owe a lot to that senior class. Hopefully we can continue to make strides and play against the best teams in the state. We graduated our entire offensive line. We have good size and athleticism up front, so we expect our same ground-and-pound style of football on offense. Nate Talhelm leads our defense; he’s basically a coach on the field. Our defense looks very aggressive, physical and fast. Our strength is our defense. Our discipline on the field sets us apart. We might not have a lot of D1 kids like our HCC opponents have, but we are going to play to the best of our ability and that’s what is going to win football games.”
Coach’s comments: “Our kids have a better understanding of what they need in this new conference. We cannot make any mental mistakes that allow our opponents to take advantage of us. With our out-of-conference schedule, there are no weeks off. Last year’s team gave us a good start in the conference. When we played Center Grove two years ago, we had eight wins under our belt, and they wiped the field with us; last year we played them well in sectional. We owe a lot to that senior class. Hopefully we can continue to make strides and play against the best teams in the state. We graduated our entire offensive line. We have good size and athleticism up front, so we expect our same ground-and-pound style of football on offense. Nate Talhelm leads our defense; he’s basically a coach on the field. Our defense looks very aggressive, physical and fast. Our strength is our defense. Our discipline on the field sets us apart. We might not have a lot of D1 kids like our HCC opponents have, but we are going to play to the best of our ability and that’s what is going to win football games.”
Franklin Central junior quarterback Peyton Viewegh, middle, will utilize classmate Josh Ruley at running back and senior Peyton McClendon at wide receiver on offense.
Franklin Central prime defenders include, from left, linebackers Cruz Reed and Nate Talhelm and lineman Antone Alexander.
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