Focus and energy: New coach has Noblesville ready to run

So, do you think everyone is excited to see football again? Play football again?
If one is need of an example for how much people are ready for action on the field, take a look at the Noblesville Millers. First-year coach Dave Sharpe had to ask Noblesville athletic director Leah Wooldridge for 15 more helmets.
Sharpe said that not only is there “so much focus and energy,” there are a lot of young people on the Millers team.
“Our participation is at an all-time high,” said Sharpe. “I think that’s due to the kids being stuck in the house for 100 days or whatever.”
Noblesville has many first-time players, which Sharpe said has been great. He credited his seniors with being leaders for the team, and is aware that after so many months without sports, let alone football, everyone is appreciative of just getting to play.
“Kids and coaches alike, we’re having a blast,” said Sharpe. “We all want football so much, but then when you throw in this uncertainty, it’s cherished. We did a lot of Zoom workouts in April and May and June and all that. It’s just not the same, as everyone found out. We’re crossing our fingers.
“What a strange time to be an adult. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be 16 or 17 going through this. We as coaches try to put that in perspective. I couldn’t imagine this going into my senior year of high school. It’s just mind-boggling. But they’ve handled it with such grace, and they’re excited to be here. We know it can be taken away at any day.”
Fortunately, Noblesville has an intact schedule of nine games as of now. The Millers will be home at Beaver Material Fields on Friday to take on Mount Vernon. Those who watch the game, either in person or on HCTV, will see a team that’s ready to run, on both sides of the ball.
“In our offense, we’re a full house T formation,” said Sharpe. “On defense, we are going to slant every single pay. We’re going to play quick, aggressive defensive linemen. We’re going to put all 11 guys in the box and be unapologetic about running the ball 90 percent of the time. It’s a philosophy that we think meshes together very, very well. No matter the level of skill of the athlete, we can find a spot for all 100 guys on our varsity roster and all 60 guys on our freshman roster. They will learn something, and they will get better and better and better at it.”
Noblesville has an experienced group coming back on defense, including five of the top seven leading tacklers from last year. That includes senior Skylar Tolliver, who led the Millers with 81 tackles and 5.5 for a loss as a junior.
Other returning starters back include senior safety Zach Blevins (71 tackles), senior corner Blaine McNabb (45), senior Mason Bohland (46), junior Sam Steinhofer (72) and senior Jackson Slone (28).
On offense, there are a few returning linemen, including senior Dylan Ray, senior Carson Cutler and junior Jake Long. Junior Owen Jones is back; he got some playing time as a sophomore to the tune of 44 rushing yards (and a touchdown) and three receptions. Blevins also played some receiver, with five catches. The Millers have a relatively young list of quarterbacks, which include junior Connor Meinerding and sophomores Jordan Sharp and Jace Riggs, along with freshman Travis Moore.
Noblesville finished 1-9 last season, but nearly stunned Class 6A in the Sectional 3 semi-finals when it took then-undefeated Homestead to overtime at The Mill. The Spartans escaped with a 24-21 victory.
“We feel great about the way we ended the season last year, beating Franklin Central late in the season and then taking Homestead to overtime,” said Sharpe. “If you ever want to have motivation, lose a heartbreaker. They know how close they were to winning a sectional. We’re confident that we’re right there with the other teams in 6A and we got to get over the hump this year.”