Sheridan football coach Larry “Bud” Wright had this to say when it comes to the strategy of the 2020 Blackhawks team:
“It’s going to be a running game.”
This, of course, is not breaking news to anyone that’s paid attention to Sheridan football over the years. But when a coach is entering his 55th season and has guided the ‘Hawks to 423 wins, why change what works?
This year, Sheridan has the potential to add a nice number of victories to Wright’s career total. The Blackhawks are loaded with talent and experience from a team that actually still trends young.
“We got nine starters back on offense and eight starters back on defense,” said Wright, whose team was 6-4 last season.
That list of starters includes two seniors. Cameron Hovey will be one of the Blackhawks’ two running backs. Hovey was tearing up fields all over the place, rushing for 1,225 yards and 16 touchdowns in six games before he got injured. Wright pointed out that, according to the MaxPreps.com website, Hovey was third in the nation in rushing before he got hurt.
Sophomore Peyton Cross is the other running back. As a freshman, Cross had solid numbers, with 182 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Both Hovey and Cross will also play linebacker.
Keenan Warren is the other returning senior and will play linebacker and tight end. Warren was Sheridan’s leading receiver with 11 catches and two TDs.
Sophomore Dagan Johnson is back on the offensive line. All the other returning starters are juniors. That includes Cade Hunter at defensive back and wide receiver (five catches, two TDs) and Cale Cummings at wide receiver (three catches).
Silas DeVaney returns at the quarterback position, and will also play linebacker. DeVaney rushed for 547 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, and also threw for 874 yards and five TDs.
Five more juniors round out the returners. Christian Clausen and Noah Ehrie will be defensive backs, Gavin Renners will play defensive end and wingback, and Gabe Holler and Jacob Richey return to the offensive line.
While Sheridan had no problem with its offense last year, averaging 32.6 points per game, Wright wants to get the defense turned around, as it gave up 33.0 points per contest. The coach said his team has been “working at it pretty hard” to get it straightend up.
“We’ll see if our hard work’s paid off or not,” said Wright.
The Blackhawks will play their traditional Week 1 opponent on Friday, Western Boone. The Stars are two-time defending Class 2A state champions. Sheridan will then dive into Hoosier Heartland Conference play in Week 2 against another old rival, Clinton Central.
“There’s a lot of good teams this year in the conference,” said Wright.