While its rival swept through the SAC a season ago and reached the Class 6A state championship game, Homestead was slogging its way through its first non-winning season in close to a decade.
So as 2023 begins, questions abound on whether the Spartans can find what it takes to join Carroll as a breakout power in not only the region, but the state.
Now, a lot of that has to do with talent. Does Homestead have enough of it this season to put a 5-5 campaign in 2022 in the rearview?
That’s the hope in Aboite.
A summer quarterback competition to replace Peyton Slaven saw a trio of players in the mix. It is believed that Michael White, a sophomore will get the first shot at QB1. But Coach Chad Zolman has options if things don’t work out for the talented youngster.
Leading rusher Kam Johnson transferred to North Side, and with graduation further gutting the depth chart the most proven back outside of do-everything Brett Fuchs is is junior Jake Thrash (24 carries, 80 yards, two TDs).
Speaking of Fuchs, he is back after hauling in 43 receptions for 705 yards in 2022, both team highs. Junior Kail Swager showcased some big-play ability when he averaged over 16 yards per reception a season ago. Senior Nathan Bardwell will also command a bigger role.
The Spartans return both starting guards in seniors Jackson Bell and Luke Geise, although Eric Williamson and Gavin Cozad lead voids up front.
Homestead returns six players with starting experience in the 3-3-5 defense it employs, although First Team All-SAC Jackson Christmon’s graduation leaves a hefty void. A trio of seniors, Preston Haught (22 tackles), Arlondo Sheets (27 tackles, three TFL, two sacks) and Xander Swihart (16 tackles, one sack, one TFL) will all be looked upon to command the trenches on defense, something the Spartans were unable to do against the better teams on the schedule last year.
Senior Aiden Shephard is a player to watch at linebacker after notching 45 tackles and five TFL last fall. He will be joined by fellow senior Jose Espinoza (14 tackles, two TFL) and junior Sam Steward (38 tackles, two INTs), who can play at the second and third levels of the defense.
Wyatt Little at safety returns as a senior. He had a pair of INTs last year and will likely be the leader on the back end.
Sophomore Henry Knipscheer will handle all punting and placekicking duties.
When looking at the two-deep for the Spartans, it is evident that they lack tremendous fire power on both sides of the ball. Who steps up to be dynamic? We know what Fuchs can do, but who else? That is the biggest question for this squad on the eve of the start of the season.
WHY #5?
Homestead is in a unique position in that it may be the “best” of the squads outside the top three in the league. While a 5-5 record was nothing to be excited about last year, close losses to North Side (by one) and Bishop Dwenger (by four) would have helped tremendously if they had went the other way.
There is confidence that there is talent in the pipeline that will begin to emerge this season.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Folks around Aboite are already throwing out Michael White’s name as if he will be the next really good Homestead QB. But that remains to be seen, especially considering he is a sophomore.
White is a microcosm of the issue with Homestead and projecting them out across the season. We just have so many questions.
If things come together and the junior class breaks out to facilitate the seniors, this team could surprise. If the roster roster doesn’t rise to the challenges presented by the likes of Carmel, Noblesville, Snider, Carroll, etc., it will be another sub-par season.
CRITICAL GAME
Week 5 at Bishop Dwenger
Conventional wisdom would say the critical game is the one against rival Carroll in Week 7, but we are going with a battle with the Saints two weeks prior.
Homestead eases into the SAC schedule with a pair of games in which it should be favored – Wayne and Northrop. But in Week 5 the Spartans have a swing game of sorts. Go to Shields Field and fall again to the squad that knocked you off 14-10 last year and things could snow ball with Snider, Carroll and Bishop Luers over the next four weeks. But if you can get a win in this one, it sets the tone and gives Homestead a shot to be a player in the second half of the league season.
CRUCIAL PLAYER
Brett Fuchs, senior, wide receiver/running back
Fuchs was one of the few players that Homestead had last year that was truly a home run threat. He accounted for over 1,000 yards of total offense but only scored five total touchdowns.
If Fuchs can be what he was last year and raise that a level higher, it would be a huge boost to a young quarterback. Furthermore, it may allow others within the offense to thrive if Fuchs can command more attention from defenses.
Homestead needs more dynamic playmakers. Fuchs can lead the way.
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