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2010 BLOOMINGTON NORTH PREVIEW
POSTED: 6/16/10
By: Donnie Smith |
Preview of the 2010 season
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The Cougars’ 8-4 record in 2009 was the program’s best finish in 31 years. It also marked just the 11th time since 1971 that North finished with a winning record.
Part of the season’s success included beating rival Bloomington South for the first time since 2003 as well as posting a pair of thrilling victories over Decatur Central and Whiteland in Sectional 7. But thanks again to Center Grove, it was stopped short of winning the school’s first sectional title in the championship game for the second year in a row.
Coach Scott Bless has steadily been improving the Cougars since going 1-9 in his initial season five years ago and likes what lies on the horizon for 2010.
“I think our senior class will do a great job of setting an example for the underclassmen,’’ explained the University of Indianapolis graduate. “They are hard working and very driven with good chemistry. As a team we have to continue to be able to run the ball effectively combined with the presence of a play action and quick passing game. We must be able to create big plays and momentum defensively. With our kicking game we have the ability to pin teams in unfavorable field position and produce points any time we advance into our territory.’’
The kicking game will be led by junior Connor Fitzgerald who drilled 45-of-47 extra points and 4-of-8 field goals last season. He also averaged 33.2 yards per punt.
Graduation grabbed several key contributors from last season, including offensive tackle Cameron Evans, center Jake VanDeventer, middle linebacker Kenyun Byrud and outside linebacker Ryan Heeb, to name a few. Edwards, Byrud and VanDeventer all earned All-State recognition. But 13 starters are back with a good crop of newcomers that should make the Cougars a tough out for opponents on Friday nights.
Six of the 13 starters return to the “Multiple” offensive scheme led by work-horse senior tailback D’Angelo Roberts, who punished opponents for a whopping 2,604 yards on 380 attempts and 32 touchdowns last season. He averaged nearly seven yards per carry and has been scouted by Indiana, Cincinnati, Ball State and Western Kentucky. Senior quarterback Jake Tieken, who threw for 939 yards and six touchdowns, will again take the snaps from center.
Senior wide outs Brayton Deckard and Dylan Anderson also return. Deckard recorded 4 catches for 202 yards and a score while Anderson hauled in 13 catches for 220 yards and two scores. He also carried the ball 24 times for 127 yards and two more scores. Senior guard Desmond Gilbert and senior tackle Evan Crouch are the only players returning to the front line. The 4-3 defense welcomes back seven starters led by senior Sam Deckard and Crouch at defensive end, senior Michael Serbin at defensive tackle and senior Turner DeHon at linebacker. DeHon recorded 13 solo tackles and assisted on 34 others a year ago.
The secondary contains the most experience as safeties Brayton Deckard and junior Carl Sonnefeld are joined by corners Anderson and senior Jordan Melwid. Deckard finished with 34 total tackles and three interceptions last season, Anderson wound up with 45 tackles and five pass breakups, Melwid had 31 tackles and seven pass breakups and Sonnefeld finished with 49 total tackles.
Players hoping to contribute include senior Tyler Grimes at fullback, senior Stu Ferguson at wide out, junior Nate Ayers at tight end, juniors Taylor Bastin and Sam Sheldon on the offensive line and juniors Lucas Williams and Durrel Hembree at linebacker.
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