The REPORTER
With one of the top rushers in the county and a solid defense back for their senior seasons, the Fishers football team is ready to roll into the 2023 season.
The Tigers will open their season Friday against North Central, their traditional first opponent for the past 10 years. Fishers used last year’s victory over the Panthers as a launching pad to a 7-4 season.
“Our kids are excited to play their first game of the year,” said Tigers coach Curt Funk. “It will be senior night and that always makes for a special night.”
And Fishers has quite a few seniors on its roster. The best place to start with that list of seniors is on the ground, and that’s where Khobie Martin made most of his noise last year. Martin ran up 1,194 yards rushing during his junior season, including 16 touchdowns.
Two solid receivers are also back. Junior JonAnthony Hall led the team in touchdown receptions last season with five. Another key returner is senior Joe Syrus, who brings back 17 catches, one for a score. Junior Jon Tangara returns at kicker; he made 34 of 36 extra-point attempts as a sophomore.
The quarterback is also a senior, Bennett Gorak. While he was the backup last season to now-graduated Lucas Minns, Gorak did get minutes in all 11 of Fishers’ games during the 2022 campaign. He totaled 123 yards and threw for one touchdown. The Tigers’ offensive line is also senior-laden with Grant Haworth at left tackle, Nate Kohne at left guard, Zach Thomas under center and Jacob Carroll at right guard. Junior Chuck Slain is slated as the starter at right tackle.
The Fishers defense also has solid experience. Hall will join senior Leo Morrow at the cornerback position; Morrow brings back the most tackles from last season with 59 stops. Two seniors are also in at middle linebacker: Jacob Prewitt (49 tackles) and Kaleb Sweeney.
Another one of the Tigers’ top tacklers, senior Brady Wolf, will join Haworth on defensive end. Wolf made 47 tackles last year. Senior Carter Imes and junior Jev Hutton are set for outside linebacker, with senior Mylan Erby at nose. Senior Ryan Cox will also see some middle linebacker action; he had 44 tackles last season.
“Practice has been going well and I have been pleased with our team chemistry,” said Funk. “Our players have been working hard.”
After opening against North Central, the Tigers will go on the road for their next two games. Fishers plays at Pike on Aug. 25 and begins Hoosier Crossroads Conference play Sept. 1 at Noblesville.