MyIndianaFootball.com

Rarely does a football click the way the Chatard Trojans did last year.

                After a 1-4 start, Chatard became unbeatable, rolling up lopsided victories on the way to a Class 3-A state championship. By season’s end, Chatard had rolled up 511 points and allowed only 168.

                Great things are expected of champions. Coach Vince Lorenzano will make sure his team delivers.

                He’ll have to replace two linemen – Nick Martin and Eric Deitchman – who have moved on to Notre Dame and Indiana U., respectively, as well as two more all-staters, linebacker Ken LaRose and lineman Pat Fagan.

                At Chatard, it can be done.

                But, first, look at the offense. Running back Ryan Kleinschmidt is back with the seemingly impossible task of building on last year’s numbers –1,908 yards and 31 touchdowns. The sturdy senior is backed by junior Sean Parsons, who rolled up 487 yards and six touchdowns as a part-time player.

                Another junior, Pete Hartley (300 yards, three TDs), is in the wings. Senior Greg Wood is ready at fullback.

                Senior Max VanVliet is ready to take over at quarterback. His numbers from 2010 are slight, with seven completions for 161 yards and four touchdowns. Frankly, Chatard doesn’t need to pass often. His receivers include seniors Aaron Hepp, Dan Wagner, Andrew Ciresi, Matt Hurrie and Miles Malone-Wright.

                Tight ends are junior Rob Dury and senior Brent Kelly Hooks. Five linemen return with serious experience, including center Alex Bill, guards Dan Buhler and Chris Goetz and tackles Sid Anvoots and Joe Doyle.

The defense, diluted by graduation, still has bodies left. Two-way starters Bill (four fumbles caused and 45 quarterback pressures) and Goetz are back at tackle with Kelly Hooks (6.5 quarterback sacks) at linebacker. Van Vliet is penciled in to return in the defensive backfield along with Hepp and Wagner.

There are plenty of players ready to step into the breech. The ends likely will include sophomore Henry Hill and juniors Ethan Haley and Zack Schellinger. Okenna Oruche, a senior, will help at tackle and Elijah Evans, Joe Sullivan and Dury will fight it out at linebacker.

Backfield help will include Parsons and Hurrie.

Dan Scheidler, who made seven of 13 field goals and 58 of 66 conversion kicks, is back. Greg Wood, last year’s backup, will get a chance to punt.

Lorenzano also has a slew of sophomores moving up from a team that went 7-2 as freshmen. The leader in that class, Henry Hill, already looks like a starter on the defensive line.

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