Miner_Pride

I don't agree on the running clock. I mean.. I think a mercy rule can be a good thing. I think most coaching staffs have respect for the game and their opponent...and I did say most...but even in those rare cases, I think there is at least respect for the kids on the losing side of a blowout. I don't think 35 is a good number. Personally... i'd go with a higher point number. Prolly too high for most folks... like 50. At least 40. My logic here is that...for example, Linton was up 28-0 at half. Had we scored early on in the 3rd, the running clock would have kicked in. That's pretty much a whole half running clock...and a 35-0 score or a 42 to 7 score, while certainly knowing the outcome is pretty much decided... isn't a 72 to 13 score I think everyone is trying to avoid. My other reasoning is that..at least in most occasions... your JV is gonna get to play under the big lights... even without a running clock, and a 35 point lead. Problem is, the clock runs and they get a fraction of plays they would have had. I've seen losing opponents keep their varsity D or O in a game even when the JV comes in...and that always gets under my skin. Your D stuffs a team's big rusher to 12 yards total only to have him gain 68 yards against your freshman kids. If I were a coach..and I put my JV D in..and you left your varsity in.. I'd have my varsity..or at least get some back up guys time with 1st teamers until I say subs on the D come in. Your D works hard for those results...people look at those numbers when evaluating you. I wouldn't do the same offensively, but there's no point in letting a 280 pound starting Senior D Tackle take out frustrations on a 150 pound sophomore lineman then break your freshman QB's collarbone on a senseless hit. And yes I've seen it happen! I also think your starters work hard in practice and in the off season... they deserve to play 3 quarters. I might not have a problem with running clock at 35 margin if it started in the 4th quarter..but then again..our starters would be sitting anyway in the 4th with a 35 point lead... and the young kids would be able to play a quarter.. a real quarter. I also think you use times like that to bring in some 2nd teamers to mix in with 1st teamers to get them a taste...get guys some reps in alternate positions. Believe me..Linton has had years when we were in the SW7 that games were over by the 2nd quarter... this is why we got out of the conference because those games on a consistent level year in and out do nothing for your program. I'm no fan of 75-0 or 58-6...having done my share of them in the radio booth. I also think you have a situation where.. per Linton last week with Monrovia... those kids are aware that another score means a running clock. Now I don't think they actually think let's not score so we can keep playing...but it may affect play calling because you do want to see your offense gets reps in an actual game.. and I know you still can with a running clock...it's just that's typicaly mop up time and a reward for those kids who work hard in practice to get some varsity play time. Any of that make sense? I started rambling a bit..LOL!

And I would add that this year.. with duo wideouts as a threat on either side.. it makes that blitzing even more scary if you don't get to Goodman. Plus you blitz and he dumps outside to Dyer and your corners are downfield with Robertson or Hauser or both... that could be big play city. I think you'd stand better chance not blitzing and concentrate on the coverage... and perhaps Goodman makes an ill advised throw? Pretty much the same way I feel about our situation with Ellis... because Ellis is such a good runner out of the pocket too... we can't let him get out there.. and I do worry about our coverage because it's been blasted in a couple games... QB pressure against Sullivan was a big part of that win... that, and not making the mistakes offensively or the bites on the run that resulted in monster TD passes!

I'm pretty sure it will be. But in case you wanna hear the game...i'm in my 20th year on the radio at www.wqtyradio.com

I gotta interject... While I know Parke Heritage is a very good football team. They have beaten a collective 1-8 opponent. Certainly that offense is clicking at 54.00 a game... which is #1 in class A and 3rd in the state overall....not to mention the 13th ranked 1A scoring D at 12.33... They have yet to face an opponent that might test them on either side of the ball. Will that be Attica? They put up 50 in each game over 1-2 RIverton Parke and 2-1 Clinton Prairie... They have the 6th highest scoring average in 1A (45.33) and the 15th in D at 13.33. Sagarin sure favors PH by 19+.. Coach Moore's team has the #2 1A Sagarin ranking at 63.35, Attica at #6 54.08. Their Schedule Strengths are about the same... PH 24.99 Att 26.05 both in the 240's of the state. This is a big game for both teams to prove they are are real. As Brian said on WTHI last night...here's where we see where we are at. The one comparison would be the Seeger game... Parke Heritage won big 52-7 in week 1... Coach Good's Ramblers won 36-20 last week. I can't wait to see that full Harvest Moon in the sky on my trip back from Cayuga! I may have to slide in some Neil Young with the windows down... Course my version of God's Country is in Greene County!!!

Ahh the one time of the year I get to mingle with the WRC folks!!! Good to see Brian Moore on the news last night the Parke Heritage story.....

I don't see NV leaving WRC either.. they are a small school... and that makes what they have done post season wise pretty impressive considering the talk of a weak conference schedule. Fountain Central has had very good teams, Rockville as well. . Parke Heritage and Attica… but certainly schedule strength helps Linton...These seniors have faced some dang good opponents in their Miner career. But if Ellis and NV start tearing up the miner secondary with passes...they will have a shot in this game. The other factor will be if NV can stop the Miner offense... that's what they have not done in several recent meetings. THe semi-state win for Linton was really a shootout that saw Linton's offense put up 56... Winning in the trenches is what NV will need to do.

Well it's not an insane wide open attack per se... but given our history as a running team most of the time.. It's nice to have this asset to the game. As we know..it helps the running game to have a passing game offset it. You can't put 9 in the box against us this year. #15 Goodman- 26 of 45 415 yards 6 TD 1 Int. 138.3 per game. 57.8% #18 Robertson- 12-214 2 TD; #28 Hauser 6-87 1 TD; #5 Dyer 4-87 2 TD; #43 Howard 3-14; #35 Puckett 1-13 TD I should add... both 18 and 28 are great leapers with solid hands. Many of their catches have been jump balls they go get. Couple that with these rushing stats: #5 Dyer 29-247 8.52 1 TD; #8 Lannan 37-185 5.00 TD; along with #43 Howard and #15 Goodman.. total rush 111-568 5.12 total 6 TD. 189.3 rush 138.3 pass 327.7 total. We still run 71% of plays. Hope that fills you in!!

Definitely a big game for both teams.. I'm sure the Falcons would like to turn the tide on the last several years in this series. Linton has put over 50 on NV in 3 of the last 4 games..but I think last year's 34-7 Linton win was the biggest surprise of them all. I think most people thought NV would come to the Roy and get revenge on the 54-18 and 55-0 routs in 2017 and 2016. Linton came in 0-3 amid a lot of concern and questions.. but put up 317 rushing yards (357 total) and held a vaunted Falcon offense to just 75 rushing and 72 passing (5 of 14) in a 34-7 dominant Miner win. THe only loss NV would suffer til the state final game. Linton would lose in overtime to Ritter the nextv week, and get big margin W's over NK, ND and EG the next three weeks before finishing 5-6. The names are about the same for Linton coming into this meeting. Lance Dyer ran for 137 yards and 2 TDs in his first game back after a shoulder injury had him on sidelines the week before, but he was a WB not QB. Luke Lannan ran 19 times for 123 yards and 2 scores. Cash Howard got in the action with 40 yards on 10 touches. TRey Goodman was in his 2nd start as a soph QB, and was 3 of 6 for 40 yards. Devyn Robertson and Clayton Hauser each had a catch. Brennan Ellis returns at QB and presents quite the challenge to the Miner D. IN last year's meeting you could not ignore that game condition involved, and how that affected the Falcon offense. I think Linton played inspired football for sure...but I know the muddy and wet field wasn't the most conducive for passing... and Ellis was just 4 of 12 for 56 yards and a pick. The same conclusion could be said for Linton's passing game...but Linton was a run orientated team compared to the wide open attack Coach Crabtree has with Ellis at QB. And it seems 2019 seems to be no different despite having to replace some big names the last couple seasons-- Jonathon Kilgore (who caught all four passes complete from Ellis last year against us); Christian Myers (50 yards on 18 carries), receivers Corey Buchhaas & Kirk Carron and 2-way Linemen Derek Foncannon & Gage Woodard. Kilgore (8 tckls), Buchhaas (9 tckles) and especially Myers (14 tckls, 4 for loss) were defensive studs for NV last year. Back is #52 Josh Little at LB. He ha 8 tackles as a soph against Linton, and 11 last year. He started on the line last year as well.. but I don't think he is this year.. saving him for Defense only perhaps. However I see 4 seniors on the Oline, 2 returning starters in RG Ethan Watson and C Kale Flynn. A huge Tackle in Junior Matthew Jackson (6'5 270). A huge difference will be with #12 Wyatt Reynolds on both sides of the ball. He was a transfer in last year who couldn't play until later in the season, and made an immediate impression. He was key to their post-season run coupled with Myers in the backfield. Ellis is also a potent runner, but only had 12 yards on 16 attempts last year.. He was held in check on getting out of the pocket, and sacked twice and accounted for 19 negative yards, but don't doubt his ability to run..and pass. BOth teams can light up a scoreboard and both can score quickly and from anywhere. Both defenses are going to be tested, and both likely to surrender yards. I've seen NV in a couple defensive formations.. so not sure on what they'll do against a Miner O that now passes with more confidence than in previous seasons. It still is close in rushing (189.33) Passing (138.33) for 327.67 per game. Little looks to be joined with fellow seniors Watson (#54) Reynolds (#12) and West (#24) and Ive seen a couple sophomores on the Dline with former LB starter as a freshman Edney (#44) and Rowe (#75). They'll have to contain a lot of weapons in Dyer, Lannan, Howard in the backfield, Puckett at TE, Hauser and Robertson at SE, and Goodman throwing and running the ball. Same scenario for Linton on D. Soph LB Eslinger (#2) merged as leading tackler, while last year's leader Lannan (#8) has been free to blitz and reek havoc. LInton has been using a 5 man front most of this season headed by Senior DE's Mongeau (#79) and D.Smith (#51). However...both Southridge and Sullivan put up big yardage in the pass game... 267 from the Raiders on 9 of 18...and some huge passing TDs, and 258 from the Arrows on 19 of 33. Sullivan did hit on a few deep routes but nothing went the distance. Still, the Falcons run the same type of wide open offense as Sullivan. Monrovia certainly didn't last week. It will be key to see if the Miners can pressure Ellis, but yet not let him run out of the pocket for huge gains. They will line up 4 wide, even 5 wide with#21 Lucas Cook, #24 Colby West, # 44 Carter Edney and #42 Nick Myers... and #12 Reynolds as well. There can't be blown coverages or bites for the run.. or it's a quick 6 for the Falcons. The Arrows QB I don't think is of the same running caliber of Ellis. Miner DB's will have their hands full-#23 House, #11 T.Dyer, #18 Robertson, #43 Howard..as well as #8 Lannan and #5 L.Dyer . Another area to look at are Kickers... I know Elmore is 10-11 with the one miss a block. I know NV's kicker is McKenzie Crowder...and I don't have any numbers on her. Another thing of interest for me is 2-way starters. Linton seems to have depth this year... 5 guys are always 2 way players...and a couple others are in rotations one way of the other. 8 or 9 of the Falcons play both sides of the ball...that I've seen. Will that play a factor. I know both teams are always in excellent football shape as always. I hope to have more Falcons stats in an update later in the week...

2-0 2A #10/#15 LaVille VS 1-1 2A #9/#12 Pioneer 2-0 #7/#7 Rensellaer Central AT 2-0 4A Western 2-0 2A #6/#5 Triton Central AT 2-0 1A #1/#1 Indy Lutheran 2-0 1A #5/#5 Monroe Central AT2-0 1A #3/#4 Adams Central 1-1 #8/#9 Andrean At 2-0 4A New Prairie 2-0 2A #20/- Delphi VS 2-0 2A Eastern (Greentown) 1-1 2A #17 Eastside VS 2-0 3A West Noble 1-1 2A #12/#7 Ft. Wayne Luers VS 2-0 6A Homestead 2-0 2A #17/#13 Lapel VS 2-0 1A North Decatur 2-0 2A #11/#10 Tipton VS 1-1 3A Twin Lakes 2-0 2A North Putnam VS 2-0 1A South Putnam 0-2 2A Monrovia VS 1-1 2A #21/- Linton-Stockton 1-1 2A #14/#17 Heritage Christian VS 0-2 2A Shenandoah 1-1 2A #15/- Paoli VS 2-0 1A Springs Valley 1-1 2A -/#17 Providence VS 2-0 4A Silver Creek 2-0 1A #4/#2 South Adams AT 2-0 2A Bluffton 2-0 1A #6/#6 Churubusco AT 1-1 3A Garrett 2-0 1A #8/#7 Southwood AT 2-0 1A -/#13 North Miami 2-0 1A #15/- South Putnam AT 2-0 1A #17 North Decatur 1-1 1A #15/- Sheridan AT 2-0 1A Tri-Central 2-0 1A #14/#12 Milan VS 1-1 3A Lawrenceburg

Yeah.. I'm still here!! QB 15 Goodman, Trey 11 6'1 170 RB 8 Lannan, Luke 12 5'10 185 WB 43 Howard, Cash 12 5'10 175 WB 5 Dyer, Lance 12 5'11 175 TE 35 Puckett, Avery 12 6'2 175 WR 18 Roberston, Devyn 12 6'2 165 LT 51 Smith, Dalton 12 5'10 205 LG 55 Rogers, Vedder 11 6'1 225 C 79 Mongeau, Tyler 12 6'1 205 RG 69 Giles, Damien 11 6'0 225 RT 57 Giles, Landon 11 6'0 210 SE 28 Hauser, Clayton 12 6'1 170 ILB 8 Lannan, Luke 12 5'10 185 ILB 2 Eslinger, Gabe 10 6'0 180 OLB 5 Dyer, Lance 12 5'11 175 OLB 11 Dyer, Trevor 12 5'10 165 DE 79 Mongeau, Tyler 12 6'1 205 DT 55 Rogers, Vedder 11 6'1 225 DT 64 Boldrey, Hunter 12 6'0 255 DE 51 Smith, Dalton 12 5'10 205 CB 23 House, Gavin 11 5'7 160 CB 18 Roberston, Devyn 12 6'2 165 FS 43 Howard, Cash 12 5'10 175 QB 9 Clements, Dalen 11 5'10 180 RB 33 Knight, Foster 12 6' 2 190 WR 36 Payne, Ethan 11 5' 9 150 WR 1 Maxwell, Jeren 12 5'11 180 TE 40 Wray, Hunter 11 6' 5 180 TE 30 Whalen, Jaden 11 6' 0 205 RT 58 Massey, Jett 10 6' 3 195 RG 63 Huffman, Jayden 11 5' 9 225 C 51 Bolen, Zak 12 5'10 215 LG 75 Shrake, Wyatt 10 6' 3 280 LT 70 Martin, Damon 12 6' 2 240 MLB 33 Knight, Foster 12 6' 2 190 OLB 25 Scdoris, Alex 10 5'11 170 OLB 40 Wray, Hunter 11 6' 5 180 DE 51 Bolen, Zak 12 5'10 215 DT 63 Huffman, Jayden 11 5' 9 225 DT 75 Shrake, Wyatt 10 6' 3 280 DE 30 Whalen, Jaden 11 6' 0 205 CB 36 Payne, Ethan 11 5' 9 150 CB 12 Padgett, Eli 11 5'10 175 SS 1 Maxwell, Jeren 12 5'11 180 FS 4 Camic, Todd 10 5'10 150 Miners and Bulldogs… meeting in Monrovia tonight. An unusual start for the Bulldogs at 0-2… not seen since their 0-10 2005 season. Linton sits at 1-1 riding high on a 35-12 win over 3A 1-1 Sullivan last week. It should be noted that Monrovia’s 2 losses were by single scores. 14-6 to 3A Ritter, and 14-7 to 3A Edgewood. Linton’s opening game loss was to 3A Southridge 28-20 in the last minutes of the contest. These are two programs who reached the promised land in recent year. Monrovia claiming the 2A Title in 2015—and also in 2009 losing to Luers, with 2 semi state appearances a in 2014 & 2016. Linton won their 1A title in 2016 after a runner up in 2015 with numerous Semi-State appearances knocking on the door. Both programs were bumped up for the success factor logic. Linton has stayed in 2A now because of enrollment that puts the Miners just over line into 2A. Monrovia was pushed to 3A the last couple years, and now is back in 2A themselves. Coach Brian Oliver is now in his 7th year, with a 65-16 record, all at Linton while Kevin Hutchins has left Monrovia for an assistant role at Center Grove. This brings in former South Putnam mentor Nathan Aker to the Bulldog program. Aker had gone 27-31 in 5 years with the Eagles including a sectional championship in 2018. Monrovia is going through a learning curve somewhat of a new offense from Coach Aker, but still reverts to the ground n pound of Monrovia lore. Gone is Clay Whitney---who rung up 217 yards , over 9 a carry in 2018’s 23-0 Bulldog win at the Roy. Whitney accounted for 338 yards rushing against Linton in 3 meetings. Also gone is starting QB Ezra Wagner, TE Ian Wray, and 4 offensive line starters who also started defensively. To make matters worse in addition to losing Whitney’s 1,439 yards and 13 rush TDs, it seems returning junior Corbin Padgett, who amassed 1,034 yards and 8 TDs is not with the team this year. This puts the rushing load on #33 Foster Knight (Sr, 6’2 190) who is a big load to bring down, and a tough kid who started at Middle Linebacker on D. He has 32 of the Bulldog carries (73 team total) in their first 2 games. However it’s amounted to just 126 yards, a 3.94 per carry average. We’ll also see another big kid in #46 Cole Butts (Sr, 5’10 195), who has 40 yards on 12 carries. Both of these guys are going to be bruiser type backs. The lone rush TD this year has come from WR #1 Jeren Maxwell (Sr, 5’11 180). Maxwell was a receiver in ’18 and didn’t have a single rush. He did tie for the most receiving yards with 101 on 4 catches last year…but it was Padgett who led the team with 8 catches. The other WR is slated to be #36 Ethan Payne (Jr, 5’9 150) who has just 3 rushes for 1 yard. At QB is #11 Dalen Clements (Jr, 5’10 180), who doesn’t appear to be a running guy…7 for -13 but that could be in lost yardage from sacks… Word has it that Coach Aker is trying to open up the Bulldog offense to more pass friendly. So far the learning process has made for limited success—87 yards in 2 games. Clements has thrown 7 for 16 with 1 TD and 2 picks. Maxwell has the only TD pass from WR... a 33 yarder to #4 Todd Camic (So, 5’10 150)…one of 3 catches for 47 years from WR Camic. Maxwell has 3 catches for 28, Payne 1 for 12, and backup TE #21 Hunter Leeds (So, 6’3 180) 1 for 21. Listed as the starting TEs are #40 Hunter Wray (Jr. 6’5 180) and #30 Jaden Whalen (Jr, 6’0 205)… so there is good size at that position. On the line, only 1 returning starter in #63 Jeremy Huffman (jr, 5’9 225) returns and right guard. Two seniors join him; one at center (#51 Zak Bolen (Sr, 5;10 215) and at LT #70 Damon Martin (Sr, 6’2 240). Two Sophomores fill the other spots- RT #58 Jett Massey (So, 6’3 195) and LG Wyatt Shrake (So, 6’3 280)… Not a small group! Defensively, The Bulldogs actually return their top 3 tacklers in Knight (85 tkls) Maxwell (57) and Wray (52). But they lost 8 starters counting Padgett. Knight and Wray anchor the defense with Knight at MLB and Wray at OLB. Knight leads the team with 17 tackles, 3 for loss, Way is next with 14 tackles and 1 TFL. #25 Alex Scdoris (So, 5’11 170) is at the other OLB (10 Tckles). Up front 3 OL will pull double duty with Huffman (7 Tck) and Shake at DT’s, Bolen at one DE with Whalen (8 Tkl, Starting TE) at the other. The corners are #11 Eli Padgett (Jr, 5’10 175) with Payne the other… SS is Maxwell who is co-leading tackler with Knight at 17, FS is Camic. If you’re keeping track that’s 8 two-way starters for Monrovia. I do see that Butts gives Knight a breather at MLB, and has 6 tackles, and #44 Nick Arnold (So, 5’9 165) shows up at OLB (2 Tkl) with#58 Massey from the OL with 6 tackles at DE. Knight punts the ball for the Bulldogs at a 32.9 clip, TJ Clark average 35.8 on kickoffs, and Madi Payne #3 and a senior has hit 1 of 2 PATs- The Miners are showing versatility in these opening weeks, rushing for 369 and passing for 343. An overall 356.00 ypg, split 184.5 rushing, 171.5 passing. This is a big improvement on the numbers Linton put against the Bulldogs in the 23-0 loss (22 rush, 63 pass). In that game Clay Whitney had 2 break-away TD runs of 69 (on the games 4th play), and 59 (On their 3 play of the 2nd half). In between that was a Wagner to Niece 23 yard pass midway through the 2nd, with a safety in the 3rd accounting for the 23 points. The Miners meanwhile… had little to no offense in the opening half with just a 39 yard hookup from Goodman to House getting Miner fans on their feet. Linton with just 3 first downs all night and a mere 85 yards of total offense. That has to rank as one of the all time low numbers. But nearly everyone returns from that 2018 Miner loss, and that game was the first start for then sophomore Trey Goodman. Goodman comes into tonight with a 62.5% completion percentage and 0 picks. He’s hit on 20 of 32 passing including an 11 of 14 game last week. 343 yards passing with 3 TDs to his credit. #15 Goodman (Jr, 6’1 170) has to his benefit #18 Devyn Robertson (Sr, 6’2 165) and #28 Clayton Hauser (Sr, 6’1 170) at SE’s. It’s rare that we’ve seen dual SE’s at Linton, but this combo is forcing that formation. Robertson has caught 11 for 203 and a score, while Hauser came alive last week and adds 5 for 80. Both have shown the ability to leap and bring in passes in jump ball situations. All three RB’s have been at the positions for 3 years. FB #8 Luke Lannan (Sr, 5’10 185) was the leading rusher in ’18 with 1,179 yards, and has back to back 70+ yard games thus far (28-145 5.0/c). WB #5 Lance Dyer (Sr, 5’11 175) had 118 yards last week, and leads Linton with 182 yards on 19 carries in ’19. Dyer had started at QB the first two weeks of 2018, but injured a shoulder—missing the Monrovia game last year. Since returning he has been back at WB, and happy about it. He had nearly 800 yards rushing in 2018. #43 Cash Howard (Sr 5’10 175) is the other WB, who gets lets attention but has 2 rushing TDs in his 8 carries for 22 yards. Miner WB’s also catch the ball… as Dyer had a 45 yard TD catch last week, and 2 catches this year; Howard adds 1 for 5. The other weapon not so much used as of yet is TE #35 Avery Puckett (Sr, 6’2 175), altho he does have a 13 yard TD catch. The offensive line is a veteran group with Seniors at LT #51 Dalton Smith (Sr, 5’10 205) and C #78 Tyler Mongeau (Sr, 6’1 205). #55 Vedder Rogers returns at LG (Jr, 6’1 225) and well as another returning starter at RT #57 Landon Giles (Jr 6’0 210). The new face is Landon’s brother #69 Damien Giles, a former TE (Jr. 6’0 225) at RG. We are waiting for the return of #77 Dalton Carpenter (So 5’10 215) who has yet to suit up from a broken leg suffered in the summer. He ended 2018 as a starting tackle as a freshman. Defensively the Miners have done very well against the run. Holding both Southridge (82 yds) and Sullivan (57 yds) under 100, and under 2.5 yards a carry! The numbers that jump out are the passing yards against. 267 from Southridge, 259 from Sullivan. While those numbers are similar… it was still a big improvement from the Southridge game to the Sullivan game. The Raiders were just 8 of 19 passing, and Linton had 3 picks… it was just 3 or 4 busted coverages that resulted in huge Raider plays that burned the Miners. The Arrows put the ball up 33 times, completing 19…and while there were a handful of long completions, there weren’t the long TD passes. I think also that the Miners dominated defending the rush game so that the Arrows were in pass mode most of the game if not the entire 2nd half. It would figure that the Bulldogs would try to find success in the air. If for anything, to keep the Miner D honest. It’s always hard to change an offense from one that a school had run for years and years. But once it clicks…it can become dangerous. I’m sure the Miner coaches will be ready for both options. Heading up the Miner D is returning leading tackler Lannan (21 tackles, 4.5 TFL 2 sacks), and soph #2 Gabe Eslinger (So, 6’0 180). Gabe is 2nd with 18 tackles, 2 for loss and a sack. Linton’s base D is typically a 4-4, but we’ve seen a bunch of 5 man fronts. With Eslinger manning the middle backer position, this puts Lannan in a prime blitzing position that brought success against Sullivan last week. In 4-4 we see Lance Dyer (moving from the DB position last year) to one OLB, while his brother Trevor Dyer (#11, Sr, 5’10 165) has moved into the other OLB spot. Lance had 9 tackles, Trevor with 8. Up from the Miners will use three DE’s…usually Smith (8 Tkl 1 TFL) and Mongeau (9 Tckls 3 TFL 1 Sack), but also Puckett on passing downs (3 Tckls, 1 Sack). DT’s are headed by returning starter #64 Hunter Boldrey (Sr, 6’0 255). Rogers (4 Tckls) as well as youngster #58 Donovan DeBruhl (So, 5’11 235) with 4 tkls. We’ve also see Landon Giles in as well. In a 5 man front it’s become common place to put a skill player, smaller but quick on the center. Previous years have seen success from Chance Howard, and Chase Howard making big plays. This year it’s #59 Braden Jackson (Sr, 5’7 70) and sometimes #25 Quin Miller (Sr, 5’11 175). Jackson has been in on 3 tackles, .5 TFL, while Miller has 5 tackles (several on Special Teams). The DB’s certainly have been under fire these opening weeks, but improvement week to week is the goal. #43 Cash Howard (Sr 5’10 175) moved from OLB to Safety this year, and made several key tackles last week…with 12 to his credit, and interception. He had another erased on a penalty. #23 Gavin House returns at corner (Jr, 5’7 160) with 9 tackles, and 2 picks. In 5 man fronts, we’ve seen Trevor Dyer move out to CB, but we saw more of Robertson at CB last week… and he had a key pass breakup on the last play of the 1st half in the red zone. Roberson has 4 tackles. Soph Kaulin Padgett (#7, 5’8 165) was slated as a starter at CB, but has been unable to play since an ankle injury in the scrimmage. He could be back this week or next. #27 Jace Elmore (Sr 5’9 160) has been perfect on PAT’s 7-7, and averages 45.9 on kickoffs. Lance Dyer has punted 6 times for a 29.8 average. So what happens tonight? It’s Linton’s first road game.. and it’ s a long haul. A couple hours in a bus. In both Miner games this year they’ve come out slow… 2 lost fumbles in the 1st quarter against Sridge, and three 3 and out’s for a total of 5 yards in the opening quarter against Sullivan. The defense has had to save to day early on.. and did so in both games. Monrovia is a team desperate for a win. We talk about Linton’s schedule… but the Bulldogs have quite the task as well---Triton Central 2A #6/#5; Indy Lutheran 1A #1/#1; Indy Scecina 2A #2/#2. Ritter has an improved team, Edgewood coming off an 8-4 season and is 2-0. Keep in mind they’ve given up just 14 points in each of those losses. Linton can’t afford to come out slow, or not be 100% physical from the opening kickoff.

Yeah I know... I let down the 1A and 2A fans without getting previews posted. At least I got to the Southridge-Linton game on that thread. I got caught up in catching up at work and other personal business. But I am ready to jump back into it full steam for week 2!! Besides.. all the preview stuff goes out the window once a game gets played..and we learn more!! So I apologize to all my GID brothers and sisters for the slacking.... I sure am glad it's time to kickoff For you folks in my area.. Linton... and with key 1A 2A games... feel free to text me at 812 887 8367 with some scores that I can relay on our broadcast... which by the way... 93.3 FM WQTY www.wqtyradio.net. This is my 20th year doing Miner Football!

Week 1 in Miner Land… and the start of the final campaign for 19 seniors! Most of the guys were freshman on the state championship team of 2016... and many of these have been starters in one way or another as sophomores from 2017 on. The move up to 2A meant then end of 6 straight 1A sectional titles with losses to eventual 2017 2A state champ Southridge, and then Mater Dei in 2018. There is no doubt the motivation these seniors, and the whole team, feel after a tough 5-6 season last year brought the first losing year since 1996. The regular season schedule itself had been toughened up the last several years, but it was surely one loaded with very good competition last year…and will again be a test this year. That all starts off with a meeting with the Raiders of Southridge tonight. Southridge and Linton was talked about for many years as a great meeting of two like-minded programs and fan base. When it was announced a couple years prior to the ’17 season that we would meet to open the season… people were excited. That first meeting verified that excitement with a 17-16 Raider win. Then a rematch in the 2nd week of Sectional 40 at Huntingburg. Linton had their chances to get on top early, but didn’t. They hung in and it was 0-0 at half, but the Raiders took control in 2nd half on a cold wet rainy night to win 20-0 and go on to win 2A title. 2018 was Southridge dominated the young Miners 35-7 with QB Montgomery’s 2 TD passes added with RB Schank’s 2 TD runs powering the Raiders. In fact…Linton has not beaten Southridge in any of their 5 all time meetings. However the 2019 Raiders will have some new faces in key places as only 3 starters return on the offense and 4 on the opposite side. Included in those gone are 6’5 QB Colson Montgomery (who is concentrating on baseball and basketball), multi-year starters Tucker Schank (RB/S), Matt Price (SE/S) , Logan Seeger (TE/LB), Wyatt Kramer (OL/DE), Matt Gentry (OL/NT) Joe La Grange (SE/CB) among them. The well is not empty is Southridge though with Cole Calvert back at both RB and ILB. #28 (6’1 194) led the team with 101 tackles in ’18, as well as 920 rushing yards (2nd on team). They return 2 of 5 offensive line starters-both Guards in #59 Sam Schroeder (12, 6’0 174) and #51 Connor Oxley (12, 6.0 201). The Tackle spots are filled with senior Wes Allen (#57 6’1 196) and junior Leyton Lauderdale I#50, 6’2 217). Center is manned by #68 Cade Patton (12, 6’1 287). With Montgomery’s departure, Coach Buehning has moved Chase Taylor (#5, 6’1 202) to the QB spot. As a Sophomore, Taylor was in the TE rotation as well as a big hitter at LB on defense. However, he didn’t take any snaps at the QB position that I am aware of. Sophomore Carson Niehaus (#6, 5’11 156) is listed as the backup. #14 Brad Springer (12, 5’10 173) and #25 Colt Gerber (12,5’11 164) are slated at WBs. Springer had 52 carries for 215 yards at 2 scores in action last year behind Nunamaker who graduated. This will be Gerber’s first real varsity time. Calvert figures to be the workhouse, as he had 138 carries (6.7 per carry) and 11 rush TDs in 2017. I would also expect Taylor to be a threat to run.. and while not as tall…certainly at 202 lbs he will be a load to bring down. Last year’s QB, Montgomery, actually led the Raider s in rushing with 1093 yards and a team top 18 rush TDs. Montgomery’s 1048 passing yards (13 TD/3 INT) were a big part of Southridge’s success. His 67 completions were spread out over 12 different receivers. Three of the top five receivers in catches return with Calvert out of the backfield (7-83) #11 Garrett Voegerl (12, 6’4 176) at SE, and #24 Austin Kaeck (12, 6’1 162) listed at RB. Voegerl wore #33 last season and will replace Matt Price as the starter this year wearing #11. With Logan Seeger gone thru graduation, and Taylor moved to QB, the Raiders will have a young TE in #8 Aiden Jochem (10, 6’0 191) in place this year with senior Trevor Hunefield (#38 6’0 169) as well. The Defensive side returns Calvert at ILB, and is joined by Junior Matt Springer (#22, 6’1 178). The tandem of Calvert and Seeger last year..as well as Taylor…was a formidable ILB team. Springer has 13 tackles in spot duty in ’17. Brad Springer and Aiden Jochem line up at OLBs. The older Springer had 38 tackles, 8 for loss and 2 sacks as a starter last year. Jochem must have talent as starting on both sides of the ball as a sophomore is impressive at Southridge. The interior defensive line all graduated, and 2 juniors will step up at DE- #64 Erik Hernandez (11, 6’1 216) and #50 Leyton Lauderdale (11, 6’2 217). Lauderdale saw significant action with 65 tackles, 13 for loss and 4.5 sacks, so it’s safe to say he’s got plenty of experience... and may have started as the season progressed. My info as to last year’s starters are based on the Linton game in week 1 last year. Hernandez had no defensive numbers last year. NT will be Sr Wes Allen (#57, 6’1 196), who saw minimal action with 7 tackles. Last year’s OLB has moved to a Safety position with #59 Sam Shroeder (12, 6’0 174). He had 50 tackles in 2019, 3 for loss…and definitely an usual position column—OG/S. The Raiders return 1 of their 4 DBs from the Linton game of 2017, with #3 Camden Gasser (11, 5’11 152) back at a Corner. Shroeder of course was a starter at OLB, now at safety paired with SR Austin Kaeck (#24, 6’1 162). Voegerl will be at the other corner in addition to the SE role. Kaeck (35 tkls) and Voegerl (42 tkls) both obviously saw considerable action in 2017. So despite having just 4 starters back on D…it appears 6 players saw a lot of time…and Taylor certainly was solid LB when needed. QB 5 Taylor, Chase 11 6'1 202 FB 28 Calvert, Cole 12 6'1 194 WB 14 Springer, Brad 12 5'10 173 WB 25 Gerber, Cort 12 5'11 164 SE 11 Voegerl, Garrett 12 6'4 176 TE 8 Jochem, Aiden 10 6'0 191 RT 57 Allen, Wes 12 6'1 196 RG 59 Shroeder, Sam 12 6'0 174 C 68 Patton, Cade 12 6'1 287 LG 51 Oxley, Connor 12 6'0 201 LT 50 Lauderdale, Leyton 11 6'2 217 DEfense ILB 28 Calvert, Cole 12 6'1 194 ILB 22 Springer, Matt 11 6'1 178 OLB 14 Springer, Brad 12 5'10 173 OLB 8 Jochem, Aiden 10 6'0 191 DE 64 Hernandez, Erik 11 6'1 216 NT 57 Allen, Wes 12 6'1 196 DE 50 Lauderdale, Leyton 11 6'2 217 CB 3 Gasser, Camdon 11 5'11 152 CB 11 Voegerl, Garrett 12 6'4 176 S 59 Shroeder, Sam 12 6'0 174 S 24 Kaeck, Austin 12 6'1 162 For Linton.. the time is now for this group of seniors. They held the Raiders on their first possession last year, but fumbled the punt, and Southridge punched it in moments later… then after a Miner punt, Southridge went 13 plays including a 4th and 3 conversion and the Miner 30.. to jump up 14-0 just into the 2ndquarter. They never looked back. In that contest Lance Dyer was the starting QB, but that would change a few weeks later with then Soph Trey Goodman moving to that role, and Dyer back to his normal WB position. #15 Goodman (11,6’1 170) is back after throwing 54 of 116 passes for 864 yards, 5 TD, 2 Ints last year. He wasn’t the threat running the ball that Linton has had at QB in recent years, but the hope is certainly that the passing game can take some of the pressure off the running game. There is hope for improvement as Linton returns nearly everyone in the skills group. SE #18 Devyn Robertson (12.6’2 165) caught 25 balls for 493 yards and 2 scores, averaging 19.7 per catch last year. SE #28 Clayton Hauser (12, 6’1 170) added 11 for 122, with #23 Gavin House (11,5’7 160) adding 8 for 154 mostly from a WB/Slot spot. #35 Avery Puckett (12,6’2, 165) had just 4 for 36 from the TE, but I would expect him more involved this year. Miner WB’s have always caught passes…and #5 Lance Dyer (12, 5’11 175) had 9 for 126 and 2 scores, #43 Cash Howard (12, 5’10 175) another 6 for 87. #8 Luke Lannan (12,5’10 185) led Linton in rushing with 1,179 yards on 155 carries with 12 TDs, and a 7.6 yard per carry average in 2018. Luke did have 94 yard rushing against Southridge last year, accounting for our only score. Another addition to the Miner skill group is sophomore Gabe Eslinger (#2, 6’0 180) who missed most all of 2018 with an ankle break. Sr Lance Dyer (#11, 5’10 165), Sr Quin Miller (#25, 5’11 175), Sr Dylan Smith (#22, 5’10 165), Soph Kaulin Padgett (#7, 5’8 165) and House round out a deep group. By season’s end of 2017 the entire offensive line were underclassmen. Even as we open up 2019, 3 starters area still underclassmen. #79 Tyler Mongeau (12, 6’1 205) returns at Center, #51 Dalton Smith (12, 5’10 2015) returns at left tackle. #57 Landon Giles (11, 6’0 210) is at tight tackle after ending up a starter as a soph. #55 Vedder Rogers (11, 6’1 2250 also started as a soph in 2018 is a left guard. Unfortunately #77 Dalton Carpenter (10,5’10 215) will miss at least week 1 from an broken leg suffered in an accident in the summer. He started the final couple games of 2018. #69 Damien Giles ( 11, 6’0 225) made the switch from TE to right guard this season looks to make it an all Giles right side. Defensively Sr Luke Lannan (#8, 5’10 185) return at ILB as the leading tackler from 2018 (66, 10 TFL). Joining him will be Soph Gabe Eslinger (#2, 6’0 180) in his first varsity start. Moving from CB to OLB is #5 Lance Dyer (12, 5’11 175) along with first time starter, and brother, #11 Trevor Dyer (12, 5’10 165). Trevor had 22 tackle and 3 picks in ’18, Trevor with 20 tackles. From last year’s OLB corps #43 Cash Howard (12,5’10 175) moves to Free Safety. He had 34 tackles at OLB last year, 6 for loss. #23 Gavin House (11, 5’7 160) returns to start at one corner, the other was slated to be Kaulin Padgett (#7, 5’8 165) as a soph but he is hampered by a lower leg injury from the scrimmage. I would suspect opportunities for #18 Devyn Robertson (12.6’2 165), #28 Clayton Hauser (12, 6’1 170) and or Dylan Smith. Up front the miners will have #79 Tyler Mongeau (12,6’1 205) and #51 Dalton Smith (12, 5’10 205) at DE’s along with #35 Avery Puckett (12,6’2 175) in the mix. Tackles look to be #55 Vedder Rogers (11, 6’1 225) and #64 Hunter Boldrey (12, 6.0 255). All four were starters by the end of 2018. Linton has also shown a 5 man front at time, and should that be the case look for #59 Braden Jackson (12,5’7 170) or perhaps #25 Quin Miller (12,5’11 175) or #45 Jackson Lynn (10, 6’1 165). Jace Elmore #27, (12,5’9 160) returns to kicking duties after an great junior year. Drake Cunningham has moved on to the military so Linton will be fielding a new punter tonight. Tonight will be a key one for Linton. 2018 saw Linton start off 0-3 with pretty decisive losses to Southridge, Sullivan and Monrovia before putting the lone regular season loss on 1A North Vermillion 34-7. The Raiders are going to be a tough battle year in and year out, and perhaps are in the Miner’s head with back to back to back losses the last 2 years. I will be looking for the heart of the Miner players tonight. I want to see that they totally buy into that they can compete and win any Friday against anybody. I wanna see the intensity and desire on every play with the players on the sideline ready to step up and in at a moment’s notice. I want to see how we respond should we come up against a deficit, or big plays that go against us. I don’t want to see any quit. I know the coaching staff is looking at these same things. None of us want to see a 7-35 repeat on that scoreboard.

I know I'm late and have been absent alot.. but I will be back full tilt shortly! I'm always willing for 1A and 2A.. just let me know!

Well I'd love to see the Miners and Senators clash.... because we obviously won't in post-season anymore... and we've had some great battles. I'd imagine our game with Boonville is shortlived.. but it's week 5.... we have Eastern Greene in 8.... you got Paoli in 5.. .so prolly not gonna happen.! Long trip to Campbellsburg... but a great place for a game too!!

I always enjoyed talking with Coach Hutchins in pregame when we faced the Bulldogs. Wish him well... Gotta figure an internal promotion is at hand!!! great place for high school football...!!

Linton historically... always had had the QB on D... Last year our Soph QB didn't play D...but I suspect he will this year. Most every Miner QB has also been the Free Safety. Tyler Meurer, Keith Cunningham, Keaton Cox some to mind. Austin Karazsia, our 6'7 QB from '09-'12 i don't think ever was on the field on D. Course being a small school.. we want out best 11 out there at all times...so it's rare that ours sit on D.. unless we are lucky to have quality players at that particular position.

I've always enjoyed talking to Coach Moore in his his at Fountain Central!! Congratulations!!

indeed... indeeed... but a hearty congrats to this news.. I'm sure he's got bigger fish to fry these days! OOps... dang that was quick! well congrats again!

I agree to an extent for sure. Most of us were not happy with huge lop sided wins week in and out...and wanting much more competition.. But.. I worry that we are going to be travelling all over the place to keep 9 games on the schedule. The more teams that get locked into conferences with 8 or 10 teams... the more chance we get dumped... and there just aren't a lot of options...other than pick up games from teams that have openings... and who knows where that leads us!

True... but we've made treks to Sheridan, Clinton Prairie, Cascade... and currently to Providence in Clarksville, and North Vermillion is a haul... Yeah.. I would not wanna drive to Mt .Vernon either... and I'm sure that's a shared feeling both ways!

I'm sure both Washington and Princeton would love the thought of playing 1A and small 2A teams, and getting their W's a little higher.... maybe help get kids on the field if they can win a few more games. But at the same time... going from Big 8 to Southwest Indiana prolly doesn't do much for their pride factor. What options are there? I could see both pushing to PAC... I don't think PLAC is an option... WIC could be a drive. I wonder if the now Big 4 would try to pull teams like Linton, North Knox, North CEntral or Eastern Greene in the fold... which is I suppose the bulk of Southwest Conference if we add N.Daviess.

One that comes to mind for me at Linton was 2013 semi-state against a great Eastern Hancock. They came in 13-0 and had 2500+ rusher Gilbert, LB's Delph, Riley and Knopp (as well as Gilbert) and Mr. Everything Henderson. We had lost our QB, who really was a FB, Rupska in a win over Sheridan. He sat out the next 3 games, and came back against PC in Sectional 40 Championship...but played little. the next week against Fountain Central and EH, he played his normal ILB, and lined up at TE. Eaton moved in from WR to play QB.. which was his natural position. He just didn't have many varsity reps. He did throw for 942 yard though. 821 of that post-Rupska injury in 6 games. Problem was...Perhaps our best athlete was at WR in Grant Stamm...who today holds most of Linton's receiving marks. He wasn't going to play his senior year... to concentrate on track...where he had scholarships to Purdue, ISU etc in the offering. But he didn't want to let his friends down..and he missed it. He didn't have 6'8" Austin Karazsia at QB having graduated the year prior. 12 of his 31 catches were TDs despite being double covered. Late in the Sect Semi Final, he was the long snapper on the punt team... and while making a tackle, suffered a gruesome ankle break. It was a horrible sight.. .but the good news is that he still went back to state in the Spring with the Miners in hurdles, and did end up with a scholarship post-graduation. His injury, combined with Eaton moving to QB.. left us without the slightest threat with any down field passing. Soph Jacob Clothier came in, and started what was a 3 year year career at SE. He caught a huge 30 yard pass in a key moment against the Mustangs in regional..and caught 6 against the Royals. But EH could stack the line all night...and our athletes were all in the wing back slots, and the Royals did a tremendous job of prohibiting their ability to get open. We were also without starting LB and TE Trent Vowell, and OT Indiana Miller from the prior week. Miller tried to go but couldn't. I don't know that having a healthy Dane Rupska at QB...and having Stamm back out at Wideout with Eaton on the other side would have made a difference in the outcome of the game... but I think it would have been a battle!!!

I had this conversation with some Linton friends.. thought it might make for conversation amongst some of us. I suppose every team has had this happen- Where you feel you have a team that can make noise in post-season, then the unthinkable happens. You lose your best player or players.. or several key guys. The team you field in the biggest game of the year are not the team you played most the year with. I know it happens at all levels, but I feel the smaller schools truly suffer if/when the injury bug hits. And if it hits late in the season it can devastate a deep run in a lot of cases. In my time in the booth for Linton...I can think of at least a couple occasions where we had so many key guys in street clothes or nowhere near 100% at big games. Now..I realize by that time of the season...very few teams are at 100%, and a lot of guys play hurt. What team at your school falls into the category of shoulda coulda gone further than they did had it not been hampered by the loss of players to injury?

I look forward to meeting Coach Bruce!

Let me extend sympathies to one of Wabash Valley's good guys. Jim Beery. He was connected with North Knox football and the community for as long as I remember. My dad and Jim were friends from their coaching days. He was a pastor, a sitting County Councilman, a Library Board member, a teacher, a former state finals football coach, and a friend to many.