There will be a few familiar faces on the Hamilton Southeastern football team this season, as well as a few new names, starting with the coach.
Michael Kelly takes over the Royals program, after spending three years at Seymour. He will lead the Southeastern team to Lawrence Central on Friday for its opening game. The Royals, who finished last season 5-5, graduated several offensive stars, but there is some talent coming up, and they will be guarded by what Kelly calls a “veteran offensive line.”
Leading the way on the line will be two seniors who are three-year starters: Brandon Gonzalez and Jake Robeson. They will be playing left guard and left tackle respectively. Junior Isaiah Kegley is slated to be under center, with classmates Jack Greer (right guard) and Jon Grubbs (right tackle) also on the line.
The quarterback this season will be a senior, John McCall. He was a defensive standout last season, making 57 tackles, but will be strictly offense this year; Kelly said McCall “will be a player to watch.” His primary throwing targets will be junior wide receivers Jack Wafford and Stephen Sydnor.
Senior Jace Alexander and junior Blaine Wertz return as running backs. Wertz had a standout year last season with 655 yards and three touchdowns. Alexander rushed for 145 yards and two TDs in four games last year.
Southeastern’s defense also has quite a bit of experience. Senior lineman JT Mutchner is a three-year starter who led the Royals in tackles for a loss last season with 10. He had 62 tackles overall.
Senior Nate Haas returns the most tackles, with 97. Another key returner is junior Leth Sundling, who had 32 tackles, five for a loss. Kelly said Haas and Sundling should be playmakers this year.
The cornerback positions will also be experienced, with seniors Giovanni Ragland and Mikah Phillips leading the way there. Phillips had 23 tackles last season.
After playing at Lawrence Central, the Royals will make their home debut on Week 2, hosting North Central. Southeastern then heads into Hoosier Crossroads Conference play, traveling to Avon on Sept. 4, then hosting Fishers Sept. 11 for the annual Mudsock game.