Falcons look to be in the NIC mix
WALKERTON — The John Glenn High School football team got off to a historic start last year before injuries hampered the second half of the schedule. With plenty of returnees back in the fold, the Falcons are optimistic about the 2021 season.
“We return 19 of 22 possible starters from last year’s team so we have a lot of guys on our team that know what it is like to play on a Friday night,” said head coach Austin Foust, now in his fifth season. “If we can use our experience from last year, develop some depth in certain skill positions and stay healthy, then I think we will be fighting for the conference title again like last year.”
A year ago, Glenn started 2-0 for the first time since 1990 and was sitting with that same mark in the Northern Indiana Conference NorthSouth Division after its first two conference games before starting quarterback Nathan Creed was lost for the season, other injuries began to mount, and player position movement seemed to be weekly as the Falcons literally limped to a 1-5 record the last six weeks and finished at 3-2 in the NIC.
Creed (555 rushing yards, 8 TDs, 3 passing TDs) is back healthy for his senior year though, along with other key players such as classmates Chase Howe ( WR/DB, 20 rec, 3 TDs, 44 tackles, 3 INTs),
Jake Taylor (LB 47 tackles, 1 INT, 3 forced fumbles), Declan Conroy (LB, 61 tackles, 5 tackles for loss), Waylon Auer (OL) and Daniel Solymosi (OL), juniors Jamie Gierlowski (LB, 48 tackles, 2 INTs), Chad Lewellyn (DL) and Kamren Hardesty (DL), and sophomore DB Ty Larkin (35 tackles, 3 INTs).
Newcomers to watch include junior Nathan Taylor (LB), and sophomores Mason Kobelt (LB), Caleb Spodnick (OL) and Ira Napier (DL).
“We only had to replace a couple guys from last year and think we have a good chance to be pretty good this year, especially on defense,” added Foust, who is assisted by Tom Beny (defensive coordinator), John Jolley (offensive coordinator), Dave Lichtenbarger, Andy King, Kevin Smigielski, Jose Capeles, Chris Ennis, and Damen Jackson. “I think the biggest strength of our team is the defense.”
Glenn will look to match last year’s 2-0 start, this time with both games at Falcon Field (Boone Grove, SB Riley). A rugged four-game stretch follows - all on the road - including key NIC games with rivals Jimtown and Bremen. LaVille visits Walkerton Oct. 1, then it’s two NIC contests with South Bend schools (Clay at home, at Washington) to wrap up the regular season.
“Our expectations are high going into this season,” concluded Foust. “We believe if we show up every day and give effort, stay positive and compete in everything we do, then we have a chance to have a special season. Our goals are simple: give maximum effort, stay positive with ourselves and each other, and compete at everything we do then the W’s will come.”