If Friday’s scrimmage at Greenwood is any indication of what this year’s Columbus North football team will look like, the Bull Dogs might be in for another big season.
North dominated the Woodmen on both sides of the ball, scoring nine times while shutting out the opposition. But Tim Bless, who enters his 22nd year as the Bull Dogs coach, cautions against reading too much into a scrimmage.
“It’s always hard to tell in a scrimmage, but we did what we needed to do,” Bless said. “We just tried to accomplish what we could accomplish, and I thought our kids did pretty good. I’m pleased with both sides. Offensive productivity, defensively, we were really aggressive. We had a lot of tackles for loss and really swarmed the ball.”
North lost three-year starting running back and The Republic co-Football Player of the Year Blake Huffman to graduation. But it returns senior quarterback Luke Hammons, who is going into his third year as the starter.
“I think it’s a nice mixed bag,” Bless said. “Every year, you’re going to miss kids that have graduated and moved on. But obviously, the quarterback is a key position, and when you have an All-Conference returning quarterback, that’s a good place to start.”
Hammons is a dual-threat. He completed 105 or 167 passes for 1,224 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, while rushing 118 times for 875 yards and seven scores.
“Luke’s measurables are his grit and his toughness and his fire,” Bless said. “He’s not going to be a college prospect based on his physical attributes, but the kid just makes plays. He has as strong an arm as anybody I’ve coached.”
Senior running back Dyllan Redmon saw plenty of action as Huffman’s backup last year. He carried 66 times for 423 yards and four touchdowns.
“We feel like we have a returning starter back at running back because Dyllan has had a lot of varsity snaps over the last two years, and we feel like it’s his turn.”
Senior Connor Essick, who filled in for Huffman a little in 2019, could see action in the backfield, although his primary role will be on defense. Juniors Max Mormino and Ian Calvert also could see carries.
Senior Keegan Castetter, who led the Bull Dogs with 39 catches for 610 yards and four scores, and junior Tyler Blythe, who caught 17 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns, return at receiver. They are joined by basketball standout Cooper Horn, who is out for football for the first time, and fellow junior Damon Edwards.
“Probably our offensive perimeter is our most talented position on our football team,” Bless said. “We have a quartet of very talented receivers, and we have quality depth behind them.”
Ben Kleinhenz, a 6-foot-6 senior, takes over at tight end. Senior Neal Likens returns at tackle, and will be joined by junior Willy Davis, who saw some action on the line last season. Junior Kokkao Yee is back at center, and seniors Max Fauber and Connor Thornton step in at guard.
Senior Dawson Adams and junior Savion Miles return to anchor a 4-3 defense at tackle. Likens and Kleinhenz will split one of the end spots, and senior Bryant Trinkle will be at the other end.
“Neal is going to play probably more snaps than anybody on our team,” Bless said.
Essick moves from outside linebacker to middle linebacker. Seniors Bryce Abner and Carson Dibble, another newcomer from basketball, will be at outside linebacker
Senior Jaxson Scruggs, who has an offer from Valparaiso, moves from corner to safety. He had three interceptions last season.
“His instincts are really flourishing at safety,” Bless said. “Sometimes at corner, you don’t get the ball thrown your way a whole lot, but at safety, he’s going to be in the middle of the action more times than not.”
Senior Matthew Hager who was the nickel back last season, will be the other safety. Senior Trent Bodart, also a newcomer from basketball, and junior Alex Narvaez will be the corners.
Horn will do the punting. Horn and junior Ossian Guest are working on extra points and field goals.
The Bull Dogs open the season Friday at Gibson Southern, which features a Purdue recruit at quarterback in Brady Allen. The non-conference schedule also includes trips to Columbus East and defending Class 4A state champion Roncalli and a home game with defending 5A state champion Cathedral — all in the first five weeks.
Within Conference Indiana, Bloomington South and Bloomington North each have at least a couple of players that could give the Bull Dogs fits.
“As the defending conference champion, we have a target on our back,” Bless said. “Conference Indiana is always going to be an exciting run, but we’re going to line up and be ready for the challenge.”
