By RICHIE HALL
There will be a bit of newness around the Sheridan football team as the season begins.
Jake Chesney is the Blackhawks’ new coach, replacing Bud Wright after his record-setting 59-year run. Chesney is a 2016 Sheridan graduate and was a star football player for Sheridan, and he is happy with the energy of practice so far.
“It’s all been upbeat, high energy and positive and that’s how our practices have been,” said Chesney. “That’s what I preached, that’s what I said coming into it, how I wanted things to be run and the kids have ran with it. They’ve been fun, but we get a lot done as well.”
The ‘Hawks selected four senior captains, and all four were major contributors to Sheridan’s 2024 season, which finished with a sectional championship.
First up are seniors Alex Cravens and Jon Barnes, who were the leading rushers for the Blackhawks last year. Cravens totaled 1,077 yards while Barnes gained 662 yards. Both scored eight touchdowns. Wide receiver Chance Spencer returns the most catches from last season with 11, including a TD.
Jayden Dunbar will start as nose tackle. Chesney calls Dunbar a “Swiss army knife. We can put him in guard, tackle, tight end if we have to. He’s a really good blocker, so we’ll utilize that from time to time.”
Another key senior returner is Jacob Hall, who brings back 91 tackles, including eight for a loss. Cravens made 86 tackles and Dunbar had 75 stops.
Junior Landon Moffitt will be back as a cornerback and wide receiver. Junior Brock Hagan will play quarterback on offense and strong safety on defense. Another junior, Brody Heck will also play safety. Three offensive lineman return: senior Sean Boothe and juniors John Crowder and Rylan Garner. Brayden Whisman will be back as defensive tackle.
Chesney said there are some younger players “knocking on the door” of varsity playing time. Sophomore Cayden Martin is in the running for a lineman spot, while freshman running back/linebacker Waylyn Grinstead has been “making a name for himself in practices,” said Chesney.
Sheridan will have a new Week 1 opponent for the first time 1997, as the Blackhawks’ long series with Western Boone ended last season. Sheridan plays at Greenwood Christian Academy tonight, then hosts Alexandria next Friday, Aug. 29.