By RICHIE HALL
Reporter Sports Editor
With just the right amount of experience and a handful of promising new players, there’s many reasons why the Noblesville football team is anticipating Friday night.
“We are excited about the start of the 2017 season,” said second-year Millers coach Jason Simmons. “We have had a great off-season leading up to the season opener at home vs. Lawrence North.”
Last year at this time, Noblesville’s starting lineup was top-heavy with seniors. This year’s team has a little more variety in age, but both the offense and the defense will have several key players there to lead the way.
The probable quarterback for the first game is Grant Gremel. The junior came into that position midway through the season, playing six games, and did well, passing for 587 yards and five touchdowns.
Also back is senior Ryan Barnes, who played eight games as quarterback last season, gaining 915 yards and nine touchdowns, and could see some time at that position as well. Barnes is slated to start at tight end on offense and outside linebacker on defense. He’s also quite comfortable on the ground, as he was the leading rusher with 797 yards last season.
Senior Will Hampton is slated as Noblesville’s fullback, while two more seniors, Nick Rusie and Anthony Nale, are the Millers’ wide receivers. Rusie played in eight games for the Millers last year. A key return is junior Seth Pope returns in the right guard spot; Pope was part of Noblesville’s offensive line last season.
Another big return on defense is junior Dalton Davis. He played the tackle spot last year, and is back in that same position this year.
Also returning are senior Jazz Terrell at corner and junior Wyatt Blades at free safety. The inside linebacker position will be experienced with senior Austin Bridenthal and junior Eddie Dziennik.
“Up and down our schedule is a series of opportunities to grow heading into the tournament,” said Simmons. “We have a lot of work left to do to get ready for the opener. August 18th will be here before we know it so we have to embrace each opportunity we have to get better and grow.”
