Triton Trying To Fill Void
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Anthony [email protected]
Of the 2,453 yards the Trojans accumulated last season, Adam Creighbaum ran for 1,233 of those and caught another 106, not to mention passing for 13.[[In-content Ad]]Creighbaum took his talents to Manchester College, forcing Triton head coach Rodney Younis to find ways to replace his production.
"At our team camp this summer, the big thing the kids talked about was not having an Adam Creighbaum this year," Younis said. "So they all must step up and accept their roles. We're not going to have that one kid that's going to be the superstar, but we've got a number of kids that can do some good things."
Moving into Creighbaum's vacated running back spot will be senior Dane Kennedy, who served as the team's quarterback last year.
"Dane did a good job of quarterbacking, and he's someone that we can always move back to quarterback if we feel we need to, but for the betterment of the team, we've moved him to running back," Younis said. "He's the fastest kid we have, and he's kind of the guy we're looking to to replace Adam (Creighbaum)."
With the team moving to more of an option offense, Kennedy will be joined by a veteran in the backfield in senior Neil Robinson.
"Neil Robinson has been our fullback the past two years and we've got Marc Lindsey, who started as a wing back for us last year," Younis said. "Last year, he was more of a receiving threat for us, but this year, he's worked hard to get faster. Taran Kennedy and Maxx Ullery will also back up."
The running backs will work to help make the job of junior Zak Shively easier, as he plays his first full season behind center. As a backup last season, Shively completed 4 of 12 passes for 37 yards and a touchdown.
"He got a few reps last year, and he runs the offense really well," Younis said about Shively. "That's what we're looking for. He's done a really nice job of stepping into that role."
On top of receiving help from the running backs, Shively will also be relying on his offensive line, including senior guards Alex Martin and Aaron Haines.
"Alex Martin and Aaron Haines are two big offensive linemen, who've had great offseasons," Younis said. "They have a year of experience, so we're really going to rely on them. If they do as well as I think they can, our offense can move the ball really well."
Along with Martin and Haines, Younis is looking for line help from juniors Shelby Wright and Erik Hoffman, as well as sophomore Seth Glingle on both sides of the ball.
"Our defensive line and linebacking corps are our strengths," Younis said. "We started young kids last year on the defensive line, and they're still technically young. I've got a sophomore and two juniors. Three very good, strong athletes that I really feel are going to be the cornerstone to our defense."
The leader of the defense is senior Taran Kennedy at linebacker.
"Taran Kennedy led us on defense last year, and we're expecting big things from him," Younis said.
After back-to-back sectional titles, the Trojans slipped a bit last season, finishing at 4-7 and losing in the second round of the sectional at Culver Community High School.
And despite losing their most talented player, Younis is staying optimistic about this year's squad.
"We've had a great offseason," he said. "The kids really committed this summer. We have a good group of seniors and they're being great leaders. I think our team chemistry is better than it's been in the past."
That chemistry will undoubtedly be tested during the tough Northern State Conference season, where the Class 1A Trojans square off against such 3A teams as Jimtown, New Prairie and John Glenn.
"We'll have a number of players playing on both sides of the ball, so conditioning will be crucial," Younis said. "When you're talking about Jimtown, New Prairie and John Glenn, who can basically replace offense for defense, then yes, we're going to struggle. But everyone else (in the NSC) is in the same boat as we are. It's just a matter of who's better conditioned and staying healthy throughout the season."
Of the 2,453 yards the Trojans accumulated last season, Adam Creighbaum ran for 1,233 of those and caught another 106, not to mention passing for 13.[[In-content Ad]]Creighbaum took his talents to Manchester College, forcing Triton head coach Rodney Younis to find ways to replace his production.
"At our team camp this summer, the big thing the kids talked about was not having an Adam Creighbaum this year," Younis said. "So they all must step up and accept their roles. We're not going to have that one kid that's going to be the superstar, but we've got a number of kids that can do some good things."
Moving into Creighbaum's vacated running back spot will be senior Dane Kennedy, who served as the team's quarterback last year.
"Dane did a good job of quarterbacking, and he's someone that we can always move back to quarterback if we feel we need to, but for the betterment of the team, we've moved him to running back," Younis said. "He's the fastest kid we have, and he's kind of the guy we're looking to to replace Adam (Creighbaum)."
With the team moving to more of an option offense, Kennedy will be joined by a veteran in the backfield in senior Neil Robinson.
"Neil Robinson has been our fullback the past two years and we've got Marc Lindsey, who started as a wing back for us last year," Younis said. "Last year, he was more of a receiving threat for us, but this year, he's worked hard to get faster. Taran Kennedy and Maxx Ullery will also back up."
The running backs will work to help make the job of junior Zak Shively easier, as he plays his first full season behind center. As a backup last season, Shively completed 4 of 12 passes for 37 yards and a touchdown.
"He got a few reps last year, and he runs the offense really well," Younis said about Shively. "That's what we're looking for. He's done a really nice job of stepping into that role."
On top of receiving help from the running backs, Shively will also be relying on his offensive line, including senior guards Alex Martin and Aaron Haines.
"Alex Martin and Aaron Haines are two big offensive linemen, who've had great offseasons," Younis said. "They have a year of experience, so we're really going to rely on them. If they do as well as I think they can, our offense can move the ball really well."
Along with Martin and Haines, Younis is looking for line help from juniors Shelby Wright and Erik Hoffman, as well as sophomore Seth Glingle on both sides of the ball.
"Our defensive line and linebacking corps are our strengths," Younis said. "We started young kids last year on the defensive line, and they're still technically young. I've got a sophomore and two juniors. Three very good, strong athletes that I really feel are going to be the cornerstone to our defense."
The leader of the defense is senior Taran Kennedy at linebacker.
"Taran Kennedy led us on defense last year, and we're expecting big things from him," Younis said.
After back-to-back sectional titles, the Trojans slipped a bit last season, finishing at 4-7 and losing in the second round of the sectional at Culver Community High School.
And despite losing their most talented player, Younis is staying optimistic about this year's squad.
"We've had a great offseason," he said. "The kids really committed this summer. We have a good group of seniors and they're being great leaders. I think our team chemistry is better than it's been in the past."
That chemistry will undoubtedly be tested during the tough Northern State Conference season, where the Class 1A Trojans square off against such 3A teams as Jimtown, New Prairie and John Glenn.
"We'll have a number of players playing on both sides of the ball, so conditioning will be crucial," Younis said. "When you're talking about Jimtown, New Prairie and John Glenn, who can basically replace offense for defense, then yes, we're going to struggle. But everyone else (in the NSC) is in the same boat as we are. It's just a matter of who's better conditioned and staying healthy throughout the season."
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