Golden Eagles bring back plenty to build on in 2024
By CRAIG ADKINS
For The Reporter
Tom Dilley enters his 11th season (64-45) as the head coach at Guerin Catholic and his 25th overall. Prior to coming to Guerin Catholic, Dilley spent 10 years at Lawrence North after capping off his tenure at Bishop Chatard with the 2002 Class 3A state championship.
The Golden Eagles will have to replace their top two offensive producers from 2023. Quarterback Ryan Zimmerman (1,745 yards passing and 17 touchdowns) and running back Peter Rooney (1,021 yards rushing and 11 TDs) have graduated.
“Our quarterback competition has been an intense struggle between Quentin Klee and Malcolm Houze. When Ryan Zimmerman had a season-ending injury two years ago, Houze stepped in as a sophomore and threw for over 1,500 yards,” said Dilley.
Senior Malcolm Houze will switch back to the QB position. Last season, junior Quentin Klee saw minimal action as a sophomore.
“Malcolm has won our current competition and will be our starting quarterback. Klee will be a critical contributor as a defensive back and continue to prepare as a quarterback each week,” Dilley continued
Junior Jack Linden got comfortable in the backfield as a sophomore, being the secondary back behind Rooney, rushing for 483 yards on 89 carries (5.4 per carry) and scoring five touchdowns.
“Jack Linden is ready to step in as the primary back. Fellow junior James Moody, freshman Kolbe Klee and sophomore Deklyn Frazer will also contribute substantially,” Dilley added on Guerin’s backfield depth.
Senior Hayden Cler was the second-leading receiver last season and looks to be the go-to wideout. Cler caught 25 passes for 257 yards and three TDs in 2023.
“Our receiving corps will be led by Hayden Cler, junior Trevor Macey, along with sophomores Aidan Horn and Isaiah Lewis,” Dilley said.
The offensive line also brings back a few veterans in seniors Miles McGreal and Charlie Carey, as well as junior Barrett Hahn.
On the defensive side, senior Dylan Vargas is the top returnee with 96 tackles (46 solo, 10 for a loss), while recovering a fumble and causing two more. Houze also stood out with three INTs, 31 tackles and three pass deflections.
“Defensive leaders will include Dylan Vargas at linebacker, another senior in Elias Niccum at defensive end. Moody and junior classmate Aiden Ferry in the defensive backfield,” Dilley said of the Golden Eagles’ defense.
In 2023, Dilley’s squad finished 8-3, which had them in the final polls as the Class 3A Associated Press No. 2 and IFCA No. 3. They won four of their final five, losing in the sectional championship (21-10) to eventual 3A state champion Bishop Chatard.
“We are very excited to get started this week against a very good McCutcheon team,” said Dilley.
Guerin has the most favorable start to the season with three of its first four games being played on their home turf. The McCutcheon Mavericks head to Noblesville from Lafayette for the season opener on Aug. 23 for the Golden Eagles. Guerin heads into Boone County to face the Class 4A Lebanon Tigers on Aug. 30 in Week 2, host Heritage Christian on Sept. 6 and conclude the first four games with a Circle City Conference game against the Brebeuf Jesuit Braves at home on Sept. 13.
The first road game is at Roncalli on Sept. 20 and a second consecutive road game in league play at Bishop Chatard on Sept. 27. The regular season winds down with the Pike Red Devils for the final home game of the regular season on Oct. 4. The Golden Eagles finish up on the road on Oct. 11 at Terre Haute North and Lafayette Central Catholic on Oct. 18.