Lutheran has several multi-purpose Saints who can play offense and defense, including, from left, defensive backs/wide receivers Xavier Hardiman, Jackson Pasch, and Deonte Jones, running backs/ linebackers Dante Akins and Marcus McFadden and cornerback/slot back Rodney Miles II.
(10-4) – Five straight winning seasons under coach Dave Pasch (86-50) … reached 1A semi state game third time in row; came up short against North Vermillion, 14-7 … advancing to Lucas Oil Stadium within grasp … Saints graduated only four seniors … return with 20 of 22 starters … offense features state’s top 1A 1-2 punch of running backs Marcus McFadden and Dante Akins, combined for 2,300 yards last year ... physical inside receivers Luke Snow and Logan Beard … junior quarterback Blake White physically and mentally mature … o-line must replace graduated Nick Caster, Brett Reid and Jacob Brouse … five sophs and three juniors on o-line started at times last year … wide receivers include Jaylon Elliott, Deonte Jones, Joe Faubion, … depth creating battles for some positions … all Saints starters return on defense … linebackers include Snow, Beard, Akins, Hayden Filopovich, Bryce Lucas, Jackson Pasch, featured d-backs – Rodney Miles II, 140-pound dynamo Xavier Hardiman,… soph safety Montassi Clay matured greatly as a freshman … Tyler Richards, Avery Hayes, Christian Pulliam and Ethan Ward key linemen … Payton Knight drawing national attention as long-snapper for kicker Micah Mattes … Saints primed for great season.
Coach’s comments: ‘I’m a huge believer that football is a game of experience. It is the ultimate team sport. You gain that football IQ by being in that mix of 11-on-11 live football. These seniors have played in three consecutive semi state games.
Experience is the denominator that definitely will not hold us back. This season is going to come down to maturity and leadership. For us, it is to take one more step. Lack of effort focus or drive can certainly jeopardize that. To achieve and win, you must improve each week as the season goes on. In high school football to win a state championship, that’s 15 games and that’s a long season. You must have a little bit of luck, stay healthy and improve every week. We must stay focused on us, utilize our talents the best way we can and improve upon the things we do poorly. It is critical to build depth. This is the first time in 11 years here that we have four solid classes in a row, and that is rare for a small school. For us, we will have some players go two ways because you always want your best players on the field . Our depth gives us the ability to cycle guys off the field for some rest. We have a large upside.
Our foundation is built on fundamentals and basic schemes. We want our players to anticipate what the adjustments are during the game – that’s what the great high school teams do. We’ve added 14 freshmen to this group, and they are a really nice group of players. Our numbers continue to grow. We have 18 players in the last four years who have advanced to collegiate football and that speaks highly of the type of athletes we turn out. We talk openly that this is a path that we take together – it all comes down to loyalty and sacrifice.”
Coach’s comments: ‘I’m a huge believer that football is a game of experience. It is the ultimate team sport. You gain that football IQ by being in that mix of 11-on-11 live football. These seniors have played in three consecutive semi state games.
Experience is the denominator that definitely will not hold us back. This season is going to come down to maturity and leadership. For us, it is to take one more step. Lack of effort focus or drive can certainly jeopardize that. To achieve and win, you must improve each week as the season goes on. In high school football to win a state championship, that’s 15 games and that’s a long season. You must have a little bit of luck, stay healthy and improve every week. We must stay focused on us, utilize our talents the best way we can and improve upon the things we do poorly. It is critical to build depth. This is the first time in 11 years here that we have four solid classes in a row, and that is rare for a small school. For us, we will have some players go two ways because you always want your best players on the field . Our depth gives us the ability to cycle guys off the field for some rest. We have a large upside.
Our foundation is built on fundamentals and basic schemes. We want our players to anticipate what the adjustments are during the game – that’s what the great high school teams do. We’ve added 14 freshmen to this group, and they are a really nice group of players. Our numbers continue to grow. We have 18 players in the last four years who have advanced to collegiate football and that speaks highly of the type of athletes we turn out. We talk openly that this is a path that we take together – it all comes down to loyalty and sacrifice.”
Experience on offense at Lutheran includes, from left, senior Parker Barnett, junior quarterback Blake White, and senior receivers Jaylon Elliott and Logan Beard.
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