The REPORTER
In his 57 seasons as Sheridan football coach, Larry “Bud” Wright has seen experienced teams, and he has seen young teams.
This year’s Blackhawks squad will be a young one. But there will be a few solid players on the team with varsity experience, including the experience of an 11-2 season from last year that included a sectional championship.
Sheridan graduated over 3,000 yards of rushing last season with Peyton Cross and Jacob Jones, but there is a capable running back returning in senior Zach Bales. He rushed for 636 yards last season and scored 10 touchdowns.
“Bales is a team leader,” said Wright. “He’s a three-year starter at linebacker, two-year starter at running back.”
Junior Caleb Alexander will return as the Sheridan quarterback. He had a decent sophomore season, going 24-or-48 for 455 yards and five passing touchdowns, in addition to rushing for six TDs. Senior Trent DeCraene is back at wide receiver; he led the team in catches last year with 11. Senior Erich Retz also returns at wide receiver, while junior kicker Owen Bell is back; he made 54 extra-point kicks last season.
Bales will also be called upon to lead the Blackhawks’ defense. He was second in tackles last year with 143. Sophomore Alex Cravens made 88 tackles last year as a freshman; he returns as a defensive back. Senior Eli Kolb also made 88 tackles, while DeCraene had 84 stops.
Senior Charles Merriman returns as the offensive guard, while senior Jonathan Edward Muir is back as offensive center. Another young returner is sophomore Chance Spencer, a defensive back that Wright said “started two or three games last year.”
Two juniors are injured, but will hopefully be back on the team at some point: Wide receiver/defensive back Dayne Voege and defensive end/offensive tackle Owen Trietsch.
Sheridan begins its season tonight at Western Boone, then plays its home opener next Friday, Aug. 25 against North Miami. The Blackhawks begin Hoosier Heartland Conference play Sept. 1 at Tri-Central.