Some folks will look at last year’s six-loss campaign for East Noble – its first losing season since 2001 – and believe that the Knights will have trouble being a factor in the Northeast Eight this season.
But when you investigate closer, you see a team last fall that was committed to the youth movement by Coach Luke Amstutz. Last year’s struggles will become this season’s successes, at least that’s how Amstutz sees it.
In total, 19 starters are back, many of those still with multiple years of eligibility remaining.
The top three tacklers from last season are back, and seven of the top eight. Linebacker may be the deepest position on the entire squad – with three-year starter Dylan Krehl manning one of the two spots in East Noble’s 4-2-5 scheme. Krehl, still just a junior, was All-NE8 First Team last year with 90 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, a pair of sacks and an INT. Senior Connor Leins led the Knights with 98 tackles, while juniors Jacob Ramey (44) tackles and Kobe Ritchie also have seen previous playing time.
The secondary has three multi-year starters returning. Junior Logan Hatton was Second Team All-NE8 last season with 98 tackles and a pair of INTs, while fellow junior Anthony Mitchener is also highly experienced. Senior Ben Barker and sophomore Mason Treesh have also started games in the defensive backfield for the Knights. Sophomore Rylee Biddle is a breakout candidate on the back end and on offense.
East Noble did lose some beef up front defensively, but two-year starters Tyrin Parks (47 tackles, two TFL) and Michael Mosley will be senior leaders in the trenches. Juniors Gavin Sparkman and Trace Cain will also be heavily involved.
If East Noble is going to turn it around in 2023, it must be better against the pass where it allowed over 220 yards through the air per game.
A familiar name is back behind center for the third-straight season in senior Zander Brazel. He commanded the offense rather well last fall by throwing for over 1,100 yards and 10 scores, but must improve upon a completion percentage of 51 percent and eight INTs.
A cadre of running backs are back, led by All-NE8 First Team selection Tyson Reinbold, who rushed for 820 yards and 11 scores last season. Fellow senior Mosley led the team in rushing touchdowns with 14 a year ago to go with 614 yards.
Krehl was absolutely deadly on the offensive side as well in 2022, rushing for 621 yards and six scores while also hauling in 22 receptions for 271 yards and a TD.
Just two of East Noble’s 69 pass receptions graduated, bringing back the likes of senior Keegan Corbin (24 receptions, 262 yards, TD), Krehl, senior David Sturdivant (16-226-1) and tight end Alex Brennan (11-208-5).
All five positions along the offensive front have returners with experience, including four-year starter Zack Leighty at guard. Others include center Grant Pattee, guard James Miller, and tackles Ian Smith and Hunter Shire.
Special teams are in good hands with Reinbold one of the more dangerous returners in the NE8. Junior Alex Sprague was near automatic on PATs last season, with Corbin holding down the punting duties once again.
WHY #6
Close to 20 starters return from a squad that went young a season ago, particularly at the skill positions. Those who found perverse pleasure in watching the Knights struggle last fall won’t find the same satisfaction this year around.
Expect a much-maligned defense to be vastly improved, with the defensive backfield looking to be a strength.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
There is still some stiff competition in the NE8 with the likes of Leo, New Haven and others. Defending champion Columbia City isn’t a team to overlook either. While there is a lot back, the offense was far from explosive last season, especially against good defenses.
“If we can take care of the ball a little better and force a few more turnovers this season, we have a chance to be really good,” East Noble coach Luke Amstutz said.
CRUCIAL GAME
Week 5 vs. Leo
This game starts a pivotal four-game stretch in the NE8. Last year, East Noble dropped all four, truly dooming any chances of a league title.
This fall, a showdown with the Lions will not only set the tone for the month-long test, but also be a game that could go a long way towards deciding the conference as the two best teams in the league (in our opinion) clash.
CRITICAL PLAYER
Zander Brazel, senior, quarterback
The spotlight is surely on Brazel, back for his third season at the helm of the offense. When Coach Amstutz thrust Brazel into the starting quarterback role as a sophomore, it was foresight in looking ahead to this campaign when he would be able to look at Brazel as the leader of the offensive attack.
Brazel must be more accurate and he must avoid turnovers. He has a stout running game to rely on and some solid pass catchers. It is up to him to put them in positions to succeed.
If Brazel can deliver, so will the Knights.
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