BLITZ: Observations from Friday’s high school football media day

It doesn’t involve any on-field action, but the area’s annual media day always hits Blitz as the start of the high school football season.

Close to 40 area programs descended upon Optimum Performance Sports on Friday afternoon, all hoping to exceed or match (in the case of defending state champions Snider and Bishop Luers) last season’s performance.

Blitz took some notes while amongst the chaos.

• Blitz can’t remember the last time he knew so little about Bishop Dwenger with the season looming weeks away. The Saints graduated quarterback Ethan Springer, their top two rushers and leading six(!) receivers. The senior class is laden with defenders who cut their teeth with a lot of playing time a year ago, and Henry Jordan is a capable and intelligent QB1. It’s a gauntlet from the jump for BD – Brownsburg, Moeller, North Side, Carroll and Homestead – so the acclimation period needs to be quick if the Saints are going to compete for their first SAC title since 2020.
  
• Snider is always so locked in at media day. While some schools bring up to a dozen players to showcase, the Panthers usually bring six tops. Coach Kurt Tippmann always puts the focus on the seniors and brings guys that put in the work in the offseason and who he expects to be the leaders. Brandon Logan, Jamarion Kolagbodi and Adam Blakey fit that mold on defense, with all expected to have big-time campaigns. And those new black jerseys with the stitched, yellow numbers? Clutch.
  
• Speaking of jerseys, North Side looked good in its new threads. Couple that with the new turf on Chambers Field and there is a lot of aesthetic hype around the Legends. But will the on-field product deliver? Once again, there is no shortage of individual talent on the roster, but last year’s three-win campaign was nothing short of disappointing. Injuries hurt, so if North can stay healthy and lock in someone who can sling it to the playmakers, Coach Ben Johnson’s team will be fun to watch.
  
• The talk amongst the crowd heard several addressing the departure of Kyle Booher from New Haven to take an administrative position at Angola. Whoever ascends to head coach will be the fourth since 2017, which was Coach Jim Rowland’s final campaign. Despite the news, New Haven players seemed to be in good spirits on Friday. Here’s hoping things work out for them.
  
• Those believing we will see a significant change to how East Noble’s offense operates will be in for a surprise. In talking to new head coach Alex Stewart on Friday, the Knights will operate out of a base spread scheme. The mentioning of that got a big smile from junior Rylee Biddle, who will be behind center and is looking forward to “a lot of passing” in Year 1 of Stewart’s reign.
  
• New Heritage coach Jeremy Hullinger has an ace in the hole for Year 1 – a senior class large in talent and numbers. Arguably the most important to success is quarterback Eli Tigulis. Back at his natural position after Kobe Meyer locked down the spot the past two years, Tigulis will be the key to the offense being as effective as it was in 2023 when it averaged 29 points per game. Tigulis isn’t as dynamic and versatile as Meyer, but Hullinger has confidence the veteran can bring the mojo.
  
• A familiar face will be on the sideline – or maybe atop the press box – in Butler. Former coach Todd Mason will be on Eastside coach Alyx Brandewie’s staff as his offensive coordinator. Mason went 54-18 in six seasons leading the Blazers, including the program’s first two sectional titles ever and its first regional crown. Much was made in Butler when Mason stepped down following the 2022 campaign and some were rubbed the wrong way with how it all went down. But it’s great to see fences being mended and Mason back in a role that he thrives in – mentoring young adults.
  
• We always hear talk about the “coaching fraternity” but it never hits Blitz more than at media day. The kids always intermingle between teams, but it is cool to see the coaches all congregate, exchange rumors and stories, talk about their teams and basically catch up after a long off-season. Football coaches in this area have that connection and common bond that, frankly, Blitz doesn’t see as much of on the basketball side. Despite all the issues that can arise between programs on and off the field, northeast Indiana is blessed with a lot of dudes that get along for the good of the game and their student-athletes.