Marshall County Football Preview
Experienced backfield will lead Panthers in 2019
NAPPANEE — Despite the loss of all-state standout Bronson Yoder, one of the most prolific rushers in NorthWood history who was responsible for more than 55 percent of the Panther offense in 2018, a host of talented returnees in the offensive backfield is expected to lead the way to another successful season for NorthWood football.
Coach Nate Andrews, entering his sixth season at the helm of the NorthWood program with a sparkling 46-15 record at the school (including two unbeaten regular seasons in the last three years), is excited about his returning group of offensive skill position players. “We have a lot of versatile players on offense that can play a variety of positions,” said Andrews. “We take pride in our players knowing what to do in multiple roles, and I think that gives us an extra advantage not only on offense, but on defense and special teams as well.”
Leading the returnees are junior quarterback Nate Newcomer who rushed for over 500 yards and threw for nearly 300 in 2018 while scoring 12 touchdowns, and senior (and co-captain) Jaden Miller, a running back/wide receiver hybrid who piled up more than 600 yards on the ground last season and had 13 TDs. Also in the talented mix are senior co-captain Veshon Malone, fully recovered from a late-season knee injury and senior Ben Mestach, a powerful runner who combined for more than 400 yards rushing and six touchdowns in 2018, and speedy junior Kyle Sellers who averaged nearly 11 yards per carry in limited action last year.
The Panthers have two powerful and athletic tight ends in co-captain Jason Borkholder and Jake Lone, both of whom are excellent blockers in addition to having the speed to get downfield. Senior co-captain Garrett Anglemyer will anchor a smallish but mobile offensive line, with Braden Marshall, Beau Stankovich, and Brice Ressler also earning mention from Andrews as likely contributors.
The defense will be led primarily by the same group of offensive standouts mentioned previously, particularly Newcomer, Lone, and Mestach who were three of NorthWood’s top four tacklers in 2018. Miller, Borkholder, Malone, and Sellers were all in the top 15 in tackles and
return to a defense which limited opponents to barely 14 points a game in 2018.
“We have a typical number of two-way players,” noted Andrews, “Primarily our skill position guys who fill key roles at linebacker and in the secondary on defense.”
The kicking game will feature soccer standout Jason Sanchez, who nailed nearly 85 percent of his kicks last year, with Newcomer likely handling the punting and being a constant threat to run for a first down from punt formation. The return game should also be strong with Newcomer, Sellers, Malone, and Miller all experienced returnees.
The Northern Lakes Conference (NLC) will be balanced and tough as usual, with the evil Concord Minutemen and the Warsaw Tigers expected to be the leading contenders to attempt to dethrone the defending-champion Panthers.
“Plymouth is also excited about their
group”, added Andrews, “And Wawasee is experiencing a resurgence.”
The sectional sees the departure of Plymouth and Culver Acadamies, the latter an expected top five 3A team, and the addition of Columbia City and Leo. Defending sectional champ Angola, who ended the Panthers’ undefeated season with a onepoint win in the title game, remains the team to beat.
The Panthers participated in a four-team jamboree at Elkhart Central Aug. 16, including the host Blazers along with Northridge and Lakeland.
Home cooking should then be a benefit for NorthWood as four of the first five regular-season games are at friendly Andrews Field, starting with the annual opener against arch-rival Jimtown.
Replacing hapless Fairfield in the second contest is state powerhouse Indianapolis Bishop Chatard, “Possibly the best regular-season non-conference opponent NorthWood has ever faced,” according to Andrews.
Chatard defeated NorthWood twice in the state championship game (1998 and 2003) before falling to the Panthers 7-0 in 2005, NorthWood’s state title season.