NAPPANEE - When Andy Mitschelen was in the seventh grade, he played quarterback. However, there was one problem - he played behind Charlie Roeder.

"In seventh grade, I started out as a quarterback, but I didn't get to play much because I played behind Charlie," said Mitschelen with a grin. "Then coach (Scott) Mikel moved me to the tight end position because he thought he could use me better there. Ever since then I started there."

Mitschelen started in the tight end spot as an eight-grader and a freshman. Then he started on the junior varsity team as a sophomore and a junior.

However, as a junior Mitschelen also started on the varsity squad as a kicker. This year, Mitschelen not only kicks for the Panthers, he is also NorthWood's third leading receiver.

"I started JV as a tight end last year," said Mitschelen. "But now that Blair (Baumgartner) is gone, I have moved up and I start in the tight end position.

"I feel like I am more of a part of the team this year. Last year my job was to score points. I would run on the field, kick and then run off the field. But now I get the chance to move the ball down the field and score more than just one point at a time."

"Andy runs the ball well," said NorthWood coach Rich Dodson. "He has good hands and makes some good receptions. He has really developed and come into his own this season. He is one of the reasons why we are a 9-1 football team."

With the change in position for Mitschelen came a change in procedure for the Panthers. Now the NorthWood team takes a delay of game penalty nearly every time they score a touchdown so Mitschelen can change his shoe and still have time to kick.

"Against Jimtown, I missed an extra point because I was rushed," said Mitschelen. "So we took a delay of game penalty at Bremen. It gave me more time to focus and concentrate on the ball, and we have been doing it ever since."

However, the extra penalty is not the only difference for Mitschelen this year. Along with receiving and kicking, Mitschelen also does his share on the defensive side of the ball. Because he plays more, he notices a major difference from last year.

"There's definitely a big difference this year," said Mitschelen. "I play mostly offense, but we sub in for defense. Once in a while I get to go in and hit some people and then they take me out. I guess I'm kind of a resting person for the defense.

"Last year I got thrown around, but now I get to do the throwing. And now after each game I am sore because I get beaten up on the field."

Since Mitschelen played on last year's state runner-up team, he can compare them to this year's team.

"This year's line is a little bigger and more experienced," he said. "Charlie (Roeder) has developed more, too. He is better than he was last year. We have two receivers, Brock Doty and Ian Reed, back from last year and they are more experienced, too. Nick Juday moved up like I did and he is doing a good job. Chaz (Scherer) runs the ball well, and (Jason) Brennaman really punches the ball through when we need it.

"All around, the team has stepped up, and I think our ambitions of going to state are higher than they were last year. We really want to get there." [[In-content Ad]]