Bremen looks to be a top NIC N-S team again

BREMEN - After a slow start, last year’s Bremen High School football team ran off five straight wins, including the sectional opener, before narrowly losing to regional-rival LaVille to end the season. The proud Lions program hopes to ride that late season momentum into the 2022 campaign.

“Our goals are to compete each and every week,” said head coach Jordan Leeper, now in his seventh year at the helm. “If we bring a competitive mindset, we feel like we can be successful. We expect our players to be competitive and expect our players to prepare each week like it’s a sectional game.”

Returning letterwinners leading the way include seniors Easton Reed (OL/DL), Austin McKenzie (RB/LB), Zach Schmucker (OL/DL), Angel Estrada (TE/K), Mikal Rogers (DB), Isaiah Starr (OL) and Seth Libey (LB), juniors Lance Moser (RB), Brendon Richardson (DB), Cody Czarnecki (RB/LB) and Reece Greene (DB), along with sophomores Austin Young (LB) and Tyrus Graverson (WR).

Some of the newcomers to watch are seniors AJ Ton (WR) and Caleb Singer (LB/ RB), juniors Gram Waddle (LB), Anakin Coffman (OL/DL) and Pierston Lohse (OL), as well as sophomores Silas Laidig (QB) and Sawyer Burks (OL/DL).

“We feel if our players compete and prepare each week, we will put ourselves in positions to win football games,” continued Leeper. “Right now, our strength is our linebackers and DBs. We have several returning players in those positions.”

Bremen went 4-1 to share the Northern Indiana Conference North-South Division title a year ago (with Jimtown) and

could be a contender for the top spot again.

“We like our chances in the conference, but we know we will have to play good, disciplined football to finish near the top,” added Leeper, who is assisted by Marty Andrews (DC/RBs), Matt Gilley (WRs/DBs), Tyler Coffel (OL/DL) and Marty Graverson (OL/LBs). “We understand that we must play consistent physical football to compete with the larger schools that we see in our conference. A few programs hired new coaches, which will bring new challenges to the conference as well.”

Two of the key NIC games come on back-to-back weeks with Jimtown visiting Bunge Field on Sept. 16 before the Lions travel to Glenn on Sept. 23.

Bremen will be highly motivated in its opener at LaVille. The Lancers gave the Lions two of their four losses last year - the season opener and what became the season-ender in the postseason. Sectionals will have a new look as Bremen has moved to a reconfigured Sectional 33 in Class 2A.

“There will be some new teams that we will see, which is always a good change of pace,” said Leeper. “It will be a challenge for sure with the defending state champs (Andrean) in the sectional. I am looking forward to seeing how the season plays out.”

Besides Bremen and Andrean, the rest of the sectional field includes LaVille, Lake Station, Wheeler, Whiting and Hammond Noll.

PHOTO/RON HARAMIA Bremen’s Austin Young (right) pursues a Wabash receiver during a scrimmage this summer.

PHOTO/RON HARAMIA Members of the Bremen defensive line (in white) get some work against Wabash during a summer scrimmage.