By CRAIG ADKINS
For The Reporter
The Fishers football team is somewhat flying under the radar in the first four years of the Curt Funk era.
After two consecutive 7-4 seasons and 6-4 in 2021, the Tigers are trying to get over the hump to get back to their winning ways. Funk is 23-20 in his first four years and is more than ready to improve. Before Fishers, Funk was 77-36 in 10 years at Mississinewa, giving him a 100-56 mark in 15 seasons.
Last fall, Fishers went 4-2 over its final six games, but fell in the sectional championship at Hamilton Southeastern, 38-21. The Tigers are looking to win a sectional, which hasn’t happened since 2017.
Fishers looks to bounce back with numerous players coming back and up in the system, but the Tigers also lost many key players.
“We lost a lot of really good players from last year and guys will need to step up this season,” said Funk.
Funk and his staff will have to replace the services of running back Khobie Martin (1,379 yards and 19 TDs) and quarterback Bennett Gorak’s 1,785 yards and 15 touchdowns through the air.
Junior quarterback Gage Sturgill returns with experience under his belt in a few games Gorak missed due to injury. Sturgill was a consistent 27-for-49 for 344 yards with three TDs and two interceptions. Senior Ryan Thembulembu showed spark in eight games with 50 carries and 283 yards and a score last season. Senior Brady Griffitts will also see some time in the backfield.
Senior and recent Stanford commit JonAnthony Hall returns as the top receiver in the county with 69 catches for 1,055 yards and six touchdowns. Fellow two-sport senior Millen McCartney helps provide depth at wide receiver with 220 yards on 13 catches and a pair of TDs last season. Thembulembu will also see some time at receiver, along with another senior Denkota Fletcher.
The Tigers return just one on the offensive line. Senior left tackle Chuck Slain is back to protect Sturgill’s blindside.
“We will need to continue to develop that group,” said Funk.
Senior outside linebacker Jev Hutton is tops on defense with 51 stops (31 solo, seven for a loss), along with two sacks and three caused fumbles. Senior three-year starting safety Owen Folta is right behind with 45 tackles (36 solo and two for a loss) and seven pass deflections. Seniors Tristan Johnson and Carsen Eloms look to be on lockdown at the corners. Junior Tyler Maynard also brings back 33 tackles (22 solo, five for a loss) at defensive end.
Starting on the road on Aug. 23 at North Central, the Tigers have two home games in a row on August 30 against Pike and opening Hoosier Crossroads Conference play with Noblesville on Sept. 6. The annual Mudsock game puts Fishers back on the road with the shortest road trip in the state at Hamilton Southeastern on Sept. 13.
A similar rotation for the remainder of their slate has them at Brownsburg on Sept. 20, then hitting the road again at Avon on Sept. 27 and Franklin Central on Oct. 4. The home finale will be against Westfield on Oct. 11, followed by a visit to Zionsville on Oct. 18.