Bob Wire
#6 FORT WAYNE SNIDER PANTHERS
One of the most tradition-rich programs in Indiana high school football is
Fort Wayne Snider. 2008 was no exception. After losing just one game in
the regular season (27-24 to Dwenger), the Panthers captured another
sectional title. Their season ended in heartbreaking fashion in the regional
to eventual 5A runner-up Carmel 24-21 to finish 11-2.
During the off-season, Russ Issacs resigned as head coach to take over as
athletic director at Snider. Assistant Kurt Tippman was promoted to head
coach.
On offense, the Panthers are loaded. Eight returning offensive starters
including the entire O-line have the Panthers thinking big. Jason McGraw
ran for over 700 yards in 2008 for Snider.
On defense, six starters return for the Panthers. Zach Barnes returns on
the D-Line after earning All-SAC accolades in 2008. The Panthers are also
solid in the kicking game with senior Andy Roop.
Looking at the schedule, the Panthers will open the season at Luers Field
against the aforementioned Luers on 8/21. They'll also visit Harding on 10/2
before hosting Dwenger on 10/9.
While there's new man at the top of the Snider program for the first time in
nearly two decades, the Panthers are rock solid entering the season. The
talent and experience is there to make a run to Lucas Oil Stadium on
Thanksgiving weekend.
#7 PENN KINGSMEN
After an uncharacteristic 1-3 start to the 2008 season, the Penn Kingsmen
rebounded to win nine straight games, and add sectional and regional titles
to the trophy case. A 38-3 loss to Carmel in the 5A Northern Semi-State
ended Penn's season at 10-4.
Head coach Cory Yeoman (66-15) will look to fill in some holes on both
sides of the ball.
On defense, just three starters are back for Penn. Cody Piotrowski returns
at linebacker after recording triple digits in tackles in '08.
On offense, senior Steve Denman will look to anchor the offensive line. Like
on defense, the Kingsmen have many holes to fill.
Looking at the '09 schedule, Penn will open the season at Valparaiso on
8/21, followed by hosting Ben Davis the following week. Penn's other
non-conference match up is a trip to the Buckeye State to face Toledo
Central Catholic on 9/11.
Penn has been one of the standouts in 5A over the years. If the new
starters come together and gel, they will be in the hunt once again.
#8 VALPARAISO VIKINGS
2008 was a solid season for the Valparaiso Vikings. After opening the
season with a thrilling 10-9 overtime win over Penn, the Vikings would go
on to win a share of the DAC title. The Vikings would lose only two games;
both of them to Chesterton, 12-10 in the regular season, and 10-6 in the
Sectional 1 semi-final to finish 9-2.
Head coach Mark Hoffman (215-141 @ Valpo, 217-149 overall) begins his
33rd year at the Porter County school. On offense, five starters return led
by senior quarterback Zach Livovich. Zach threw for nearly 1,200 yards and
10 scores. Nick Thompson led the Vikings with 1,250 yards rushing. The
one area of concern entering the season for the Vikings in the O-line,
where there will be five new starters.
On defense, five starters also return. Tony Gallinati returns at linebacker
after earning All-State accolades for his play in 2008.
Looking at the schedule, Valpo will have their traditional opener hosting
Penn on 8/21. After years of playing Gary Roosevelt in week 2, the Vikings
have dropped one pair of Panthers picking up another, adding Griffith for
the next two years. Griffith travels to Valparaiso in the teams' first meeting
since 1966. In DAC play, key games include hosting Michigan City on 9/11,
at Chesterton on 9/18 and hosting Merrillville on 10/2.
If the Vikings can find some offensive linemen, they will be in the hunt to
compete for a trip to Lucas Oil Stadium. They have the skill kids on offense,
and leadership on defense to give the Vikings the potential to be one of the
best in 5A.
# 9. JASPER WILDCATS
One of the most tradition-rich programs in all of Indiana, the Jasper
Wildcats maintained that tradition of excellence again in 2008. Capturing
the Big Eight and Sectional 16 titles, the Wildcats won 11 games, before
falling to Columbus East in the regional 24-7 to end their season.
Hopes are high in the Wildcats' Land. 16 starters are back for head coach
Tony Ahrens (56-18).
On offense, Austin Ahrens returns at quarterback and will be a three-year
starter for Jasper. Ahrens accounted for 25 touchdowns total in 2008. Four
starters are back on the O-line to pave the way for the Jasper offense.
Like the offense, eight starters return on the defensive side of the ball.
Ahrens will do double duty and anchor the secondary, where he earned
All-State honors.
Looking at the schedule, the Wildcats have arguably the toughest
non-conference slate in Indiana. They open at home against 3A runner-up
Evansville Memorial. The following week, rival Southridge heads to Alumni
Stadium after the Raiders defeated Jasper last year, and they on 9/11,
Jasper heads to the Jungle to face Heritage Hills.
Jasper enters the 2009 season as one of the teams to beat in class 4A in
2009. With 16 starters back off an 11-2 squad, the Wildcats will be primed
to add a second state championship trophy to go with their 2001 title.10.
# 10 CENTER GROVE TROJANS
The high hopes that the Center Grove faithful had for the Class of 2009 paid
off on the gridiron for the 2008 season. After falling to Carmel 33-32 in the
regular season, the Trojans got another crack at the 'Hounds in the State
Finals. Trailing 33-14 with over six minutes remaining in the game, the
Trojans pulled off the greatest comeback in State Finals history, shocking
Carmel 36-33 to win their first-ever 5A title.
Head coach Eric Moore (90-32 @ CG, 140-39 overall) will have many holes
to fill. QB Jordan Luallen (Georgia Tech)...gone. Linebacker Anthony
Elias...gone. Running back Luke Swift...gone. And the list goes on and on.
But don't feel bad for the Trojans. While they may lack experience, the
Trojans will have options at the different spots to put on the field.
Just four starters return total for CG. On offense, Garrett Mack returns at
receiver for the Trojans. Junior Nolan Weidman will look for a bigger role
this year carrying the pigskin. In limited action last season, Wiedman ran
for 350 yards and five scores.
On defense, senior Joel Cox will look to anchor the D-line. Again, the
newcomers stepping into starting roles did get some experience in mop-up
duty in games last season.
Looking at the schedule, the Trojans will host Pike on 8/28. Then they jump
into the MIC meat-grinder by heading to Carmel on 9/4, The Trojans will host
Ben Davis on 10/2 and visit Warren Central on 10/16.
It will be hard to top last year's 5A title for the Trojans. For Moore and the
Trojans, it's a very simple objective for the 2009 season; improve with each
game and prepare for the post-season. This team may be 5-4 entering the
sectional, but don't count the Trojans out. And if you don't believe me, you
may want to ask the folks in Carmel.
One of the most tradition-rich programs in Indiana high school football is
Fort Wayne Snider. 2008 was no exception. After losing just one game in
the regular season (27-24 to Dwenger), the Panthers captured another
sectional title. Their season ended in heartbreaking fashion in the regional
to eventual 5A runner-up Carmel 24-21 to finish 11-2.
During the off-season, Russ Issacs resigned as head coach to take over as
athletic director at Snider. Assistant Kurt Tippman was promoted to head
coach.
On offense, the Panthers are loaded. Eight returning offensive starters
including the entire O-line have the Panthers thinking big. Jason McGraw
ran for over 700 yards in 2008 for Snider.
On defense, six starters return for the Panthers. Zach Barnes returns on
the D-Line after earning All-SAC accolades in 2008. The Panthers are also
solid in the kicking game with senior Andy Roop.
Looking at the schedule, the Panthers will open the season at Luers Field
against the aforementioned Luers on 8/21. They'll also visit Harding on 10/2
before hosting Dwenger on 10/9.
While there's new man at the top of the Snider program for the first time in
nearly two decades, the Panthers are rock solid entering the season. The
talent and experience is there to make a run to Lucas Oil Stadium on
Thanksgiving weekend.
#7 PENN KINGSMEN
After an uncharacteristic 1-3 start to the 2008 season, the Penn Kingsmen
rebounded to win nine straight games, and add sectional and regional titles
to the trophy case. A 38-3 loss to Carmel in the 5A Northern Semi-State
ended Penn's season at 10-4.
Head coach Cory Yeoman (66-15) will look to fill in some holes on both
sides of the ball.
On defense, just three starters are back for Penn. Cody Piotrowski returns
at linebacker after recording triple digits in tackles in '08.
On offense, senior Steve Denman will look to anchor the offensive line. Like
on defense, the Kingsmen have many holes to fill.
Looking at the '09 schedule, Penn will open the season at Valparaiso on
8/21, followed by hosting Ben Davis the following week. Penn's other
non-conference match up is a trip to the Buckeye State to face Toledo
Central Catholic on 9/11.
Penn has been one of the standouts in 5A over the years. If the new
starters come together and gel, they will be in the hunt once again.
#8 VALPARAISO VIKINGS
2008 was a solid season for the Valparaiso Vikings. After opening the
season with a thrilling 10-9 overtime win over Penn, the Vikings would go
on to win a share of the DAC title. The Vikings would lose only two games;
both of them to Chesterton, 12-10 in the regular season, and 10-6 in the
Sectional 1 semi-final to finish 9-2.
Head coach Mark Hoffman (215-141 @ Valpo, 217-149 overall) begins his
33rd year at the Porter County school. On offense, five starters return led
by senior quarterback Zach Livovich. Zach threw for nearly 1,200 yards and
10 scores. Nick Thompson led the Vikings with 1,250 yards rushing. The
one area of concern entering the season for the Vikings in the O-line,
where there will be five new starters.
On defense, five starters also return. Tony Gallinati returns at linebacker
after earning All-State accolades for his play in 2008.
Looking at the schedule, Valpo will have their traditional opener hosting
Penn on 8/21. After years of playing Gary Roosevelt in week 2, the Vikings
have dropped one pair of Panthers picking up another, adding Griffith for
the next two years. Griffith travels to Valparaiso in the teams' first meeting
since 1966. In DAC play, key games include hosting Michigan City on 9/11,
at Chesterton on 9/18 and hosting Merrillville on 10/2.
If the Vikings can find some offensive linemen, they will be in the hunt to
compete for a trip to Lucas Oil Stadium. They have the skill kids on offense,
and leadership on defense to give the Vikings the potential to be one of the
best in 5A.
# 9. JASPER WILDCATS
One of the most tradition-rich programs in all of Indiana, the Jasper
Wildcats maintained that tradition of excellence again in 2008. Capturing
the Big Eight and Sectional 16 titles, the Wildcats won 11 games, before
falling to Columbus East in the regional 24-7 to end their season.
Hopes are high in the Wildcats' Land. 16 starters are back for head coach
Tony Ahrens (56-18).
On offense, Austin Ahrens returns at quarterback and will be a three-year
starter for Jasper. Ahrens accounted for 25 touchdowns total in 2008. Four
starters are back on the O-line to pave the way for the Jasper offense.
Like the offense, eight starters return on the defensive side of the ball.
Ahrens will do double duty and anchor the secondary, where he earned
All-State honors.
Looking at the schedule, the Wildcats have arguably the toughest
non-conference slate in Indiana. They open at home against 3A runner-up
Evansville Memorial. The following week, rival Southridge heads to Alumni
Stadium after the Raiders defeated Jasper last year, and they on 9/11,
Jasper heads to the Jungle to face Heritage Hills.
Jasper enters the 2009 season as one of the teams to beat in class 4A in
2009. With 16 starters back off an 11-2 squad, the Wildcats will be primed
to add a second state championship trophy to go with their 2001 title.10.
# 10 CENTER GROVE TROJANS
The high hopes that the Center Grove faithful had for the Class of 2009 paid
off on the gridiron for the 2008 season. After falling to Carmel 33-32 in the
regular season, the Trojans got another crack at the 'Hounds in the State
Finals. Trailing 33-14 with over six minutes remaining in the game, the
Trojans pulled off the greatest comeback in State Finals history, shocking
Carmel 36-33 to win their first-ever 5A title.
Head coach Eric Moore (90-32 @ CG, 140-39 overall) will have many holes
to fill. QB Jordan Luallen (Georgia Tech)...gone. Linebacker Anthony
Elias...gone. Running back Luke Swift...gone. And the list goes on and on.
But don't feel bad for the Trojans. While they may lack experience, the
Trojans will have options at the different spots to put on the field.
Just four starters return total for CG. On offense, Garrett Mack returns at
receiver for the Trojans. Junior Nolan Weidman will look for a bigger role
this year carrying the pigskin. In limited action last season, Wiedman ran
for 350 yards and five scores.
On defense, senior Joel Cox will look to anchor the D-line. Again, the
newcomers stepping into starting roles did get some experience in mop-up
duty in games last season.
Looking at the schedule, the Trojans will host Pike on 8/28. Then they jump
into the MIC meat-grinder by heading to Carmel on 9/4, The Trojans will host
Ben Davis on 10/2 and visit Warren Central on 10/16.
It will be hard to top last year's 5A title for the Trojans. For Moore and the
Trojans, it's a very simple objective for the 2009 season; improve with each
game and prepare for the post-season. This team may be 5-4 entering the
sectional, but don't count the Trojans out. And if you don't believe me, you
may want to ask the folks in Carmel.
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