By RICHIE HALL
Last season’s Fishers football team started slow (and injured), but finished fast.
How fast? The Tigers won Hoosier Crossroads Conference and sectional championships. This year’s edition of Fishers has the potential to do just as well, with several strong returning players both on offense and defense.
The Tigers had two quarterbacks last year, the now-graduated Matt Wolff and then-junior Jon Vore, who returns this year as a senior. The two-quarterback scheme worked well for Fishers, and also gave Vore solid experience: Last year he completed 56 of 111 passes for 683 yards and seven touchdowns.
The top returning rusher for the Tigers is senior HL Lewis. The 6-foot, 192-pound tailback had to deal with injuries last year – “I don’t think he played till the fifth game,” said Fishers coach Rick Wimmer – but performed solidly when he was out on the field. In seven games, he carried the ball 124 times for 518 yards and two touchdowns.
“I thought he ended the year really a solid running, good running back,” said Wimmer. “I’ve been really pleased with him this summer and in our week of practice we had this week. He’s got excellent speed.”
Lewis will be backed up by junior Dylan Scally, who got into six games last season as a sophomore. Scally totaled 230 yards and a touchdown.
“Dylan proved himself last year, getting an opportunity to play as a sophomore,” said Wimmer. “Probably played before we really expected him to play or wanted to play him, but because of some injuries he played and he showed he was capable.”
Another junior, Matt Noble, will also figure into the running game this season.
“So that gives us three varsity quality tailbacks that we can work with,” said Wimmer, who did say that Lewis would the No. 1 runner, although all three tailbacks would be used.
“He’s going to get most of the reps as long as he’s healthy and ready to go,” said Wimmer.
Fishers’ defense will be strong as well, with five returning players. Senior Emmanuel Davis leads the way, bringing back 62 total tackles, including five for a loss. Junior Geoffrey Brown was close behind with 50 total stops, with five for a loss. Senior Roman Molden also returns; he had 44 tackles last season.
“They will be our linebackers,” said Wimmer. “I’m really excited about that group.” The coach called them a “very mobile group,” one that runs well.
“They get to the football, good physical group,” said the coach. “And a group that’s got a lot of experience playing football.”
Other key defensive returners are junior Collin Shelton at safety, senior Jason Lassic in the cornerback position, and senior Cam Field on the defensive line.
“He’s the only defensive lineman that returns for us,” said Wimmer.
Fishers will begin its season at North Central this Friday, then host Pike in Week 2 before beginning Hoosier Crossroads Conference play.
Senior HL Lewis battled injuries last season, but performed well on the field for Fishers. Lewis ran for 518 yards and scored two touchdowns for the Tigers. (Kirk Green/File photo)