The REPORTER
There is no shortage of experience on this year’s Noblesville football team. There is a feeling that the Millers’ moment is about to come.
Noblesville put a very young team on the field last season, and wasn’t far away from a winning season but for a handful of points. Fourth-year coach Dave Sharpe has been taking the long view, saying that he knew it was “going to be a long rebuild” for the team, especially when the competition against fellow teams in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference doesn’t stop.
“Our kids know that they were close to having a winning season last year, but they fell short,” said Sharpe. “So the off-season commitment has been that much better knowing how hard to work to eventually topple a couple of those teams.”
Sharpe listed several names that are returning for Noblesville. A big name is senior Logan Shoffner, who led the Millers’ in rushing last season with 1,414 yards and nine touchdowns.
In fact, all five of Noblesville top rushers are back. Senior Gage Gulley totaled 611 yards and eight TDs, while senior Blake Widget gained 480 yards and nine touchdowns. Senior Gabe Bellan totaled 340 yards and four TDs, while sophomore Landon Hughes had 154 yards and one score. Hughes also played at quarterback as a freshman, throwing for 641 yards and seven touchdowns.
Shoffner returns at fullback. Bellan is the starting right halfback, with Widget in backup. Gulley returns as the starting left halfback. Hughes will be backing up senior Jacob Baker at quarterback this season.
The offensive line features junior Aiden Brewer at right end and senior Ransom McDermott at left tackle. Junior Max Miller is at left end.
“Max Miller was a significant defensive player, now we’ve moved him to the offensive side of the ball,” said Sharpe.
Junior Toby Barnes will be under center, with junior Merek Helvey at right tackle. Junior Michael Bennett will be backing up senior Sam Setmeyer at right guard. Senior Curtis Gordon is slated for left guard. Senior Jack Letourneau is back as kicker and punter, a three-year starter.
On defense, Sharpe said the Millers “return a ton of guys with talent and experience.” That includes several three-year starters. Senior Austin Hastings is back at inside linebacker; he led Noblesville in tackles last season with 138. Senior Gavin Kinyon returns at outside linebacker; he was second in tackles with 97. Meanwhile, seniors Cameron Wilson and Cole Richardson return as cornerbacks, with junior Cole Schott and senior Jackson Peterson at backup.
Seniors Carson Cox (who was injured in Noblesville’s opener last year) and Gulley will play safety, with senior Carter Richardson a backup. Junior Israel Oladipupo is slated to start at the other outside linebacker position. Also on the line are senior Grayson Owens and juniors Michael Bennett (at nose) and Jrue Kanté.
Sharpe calls his team a “quiet, confident group,” and not one to mess around.
“They know what they have to get done,” said Sharpe. “They’ve been a real joy to coach throughout the off-season and the summer.”
Noblesville opens its season Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium, when the Millers play Mount Vernon in an 8:30 p.m. game. After that, it’s back to Beaver Materials Field for two home games: Homestead on Aug. 25 and Fishers on Sept. 1 in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference opener for both teams.