Changes are abound in the Northeast Corner Conference where a ton of talent walked with the graduating class of 2023 and a couple of coaching moves may change about the face of both divisions, whether now or in the near future.
Lets break down the NECC’s Big Division.
The favorite: Angola Hornets
At last check-in with Coach Andy Thomas, the quarterback battle was still a contested one in Angola, but the Hornets could thrive with five returning offensive starters. The head of that beast is 6-foot-4, 220-pound tight end Lane King, who was First Team All-NECC a season ago. King is a big force that can do a lot of things to open up the Angola offense. Back too is running back Gavin Willis and three pieces of the offensive line in guard Coby Trick, center Peyton Manahan and tackle Logan Brisentine.
Currently, senior Micah Steury and sophomore Hawk Hasselman are battling for the QB1 spot, but whichever of them is not under center will likely continue to provide for this offense. Hasselman in particular is a freak athlete who can contribute almost anywhere on the field.
The defensive side of the ball will be fairly young at Angola, with King, Steury and Braden Toigo the only three listed returning starters. The defensive line has some seasoned options to lead the way, although none of them have started in previous seasons with Manahan, Trick, Brisentine, Carter Shull and Terry Henion up front.
“We must set a tone in practice and in our training that will allow us to be tougher and more physical,” said Angola coach Andy Thomas.
The contender: West Noble Chargers
Right back in the near driver’s seat in the NECC Big Division will be the Monte Mawhorter-led West Noble Chargers. A major benefit will be the return of Drew Yates for a third season under center as one of the longest active starting quarterbacks in the area.
Yates is back after leading the Chargers to an 8-3 record last season, throwing for 796 yards and running for 630 yards with 19 total touchdowns. Seth Pruitt ran for 1,209 yards and 16 more touchdowns. In fact, the ground game could be massive for the Chargers, who lost just 112 of their 2,482 rushing yards to graduation. Mckale Bottles and Xavier Yates each caught for over 100 yards last season and return.
On the other side of the ball, senior Nolan Parks is back at linebacker after tallying 86 total tackles last fall. Defensive linemen Keegan Clark and Brady Shields will also help anchor the defensive side.
The rest
FAIRFIELD FALCONS
The Falcons return 10 offensive starters and nine starters on the defensive end. That is a great starting-out point for a team that could really create waves in the division coming off a season where they started 4-0 before finishing 5-5.
While Brooks Custer returns as the top passer with just 30 yards through the air, the guys around him are far from new. Alex Hofer and Marco Garcia return as receivers and Hunter Kauffman is again at tight end with Hofer headed into his third year starting at the position after hauling in 240 yards last season for the run-heavy Falcons. Breckan Maran is back to lead the backfield after running for 619 yards. Ethan Schmucker and Sawyer Ernsberger also return as RBs. Benefitting them will be a returning line that includes two-year starter Ethan Hochstetler at center and Nic Hofer and Darin Lehman at the guard spots.
Schmucker and Hochstetler will return for their third years starting along the defensive front to lead five returning linemen. Maran and Kauffman are both back at linebacker, while Hofer leads a solid secondary. Fairfield will rely on a lot of guys to go both ways but do have a slew of newcomers fighting for spots as well.
“We have to ‘Believe’ in each other and what we are doing in order to take that next step, “said Fairfield coach Matt Thacker, emphasizing the team’s 2023 slogan. “We have the ability, but again we have to ‘Believe, in that ability. We have the toughness, but again we have to ‘Believe, in that toughness.
“We have great kids, but we have to ‘Believe, in being great on a day-to-day basis. If we ‘Believe’ in the guy next to me, we will be successful and it will be a great season.”
GARRETT RAILROADERS
A tough early stretch hindered Garrett’s progress a year ago, but the team did win three of its last five, including the program’s first postseason victory since 2016. Can they carry over a successful end to 2022 into a fast start in 2023?
Calder Hefty will be back under center after throwing for 1,062 yards last season when he took over the QB reins as a sophomore. Fortunately for him, some of his targets are back, including Luke Holcomb (217 yards) and David Westropp. Xavier Nusbaum (200 yards rushing) and Blake Lewis will look to be the leaders in the backfield.
On defense, Garrett will lean heavily on its linebackers. Kashen Kelham (37 tackles), Nate Wells (62 tackles) and Levi Chaney (37 tackles) will lead that group. Sophomore Aiden Hunt had 40 tackles last season and will likely see time on both the defensive and offensive lines.
Kaiden Colburn, who was injured last season in the opening game, adds another athletic returner to the Railroaders lineup, where he can help on both sides of the ball when called upon. Colburn had a team-high four interceptions and 134 receiving yards in 2021 when he last played significant minutes.
LAKELAND LAKERS
While Lakeland was 3-7 last season, it has a chance to bring back solid momentum offensively by returning a 1,628 yard, 17 touchdown quarterback in Brayden Holbrook. Even better for Lakeland in the long run, Holbrook is just a sophomore after the stellar freshman campaign. Lakeland did lose its top receiver, but bring back sophomore Levi Cook (297 receiving yards). The Lakers will have to replace a 1,000-plus yard rusher to help balance out their offense.
Lakeland’s top three leaders in tackles last season were all juniors, so the trio brings some strength on that side of the ball with Cameron Riegling (47 tackles), who was All-NECC last season, along with Cole Frost and Bo Kerns.
BIG DIVISION PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Angola
2. West Noble
3. Fairfield
4. Garrett
5. Lakeland
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