Columbus North’s Garrett Long scores a touchdown in a sectional football game against Jeffersonville at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Oct. 27, 2023.
The Republic file photo
In what was supposed to be a rebuilding football season last year, Columbus North showed flashes of brilliance in going 5-6 against a rigorous schedule.
A year later, with 17 of the 22 starters coming back, the Bull Dogs are hoping for bigger things this fall.
“It’s fun to look back and compare from now and 365 days ago, just to see the growth of our team, not just on the field, but off the field,” North coach Logan Haston said. “They take things seriously in the classroom. We have a lot more maturity, a lot more leadership and discipline than we had a year ago, and we’re hoping that pays dividends on the field.”
Haston got a look at his team in a controlled scrimmage Friday against Greenwood. The Bull Dogs overcame a slow start to finish with eight touchdowns to the Woodmen’s six.
“A shaky start is expected,” Haston said. “There’s some nerves still, so we have to shake off the cobwebs and settle in a little bit, so I’m not super upset about that. But I do think the guys settled in, and once those initial nerves were gone, we started playing our style of offense and defense, and we started to play much better in the second half of that scrimmage.”
North brings back 10 starters on offense, including junior quarterback Asher Ratliff. Ratliff completed 127 or 240 passes for 1,368 yards and 18 touchdowns and ran for 549 yards and six scores.
Seniors Gino Prescott and Sam Mormino provide a powerful 1-2 punch in the backfield. Prescott ran for 745 yards and seven touchdowns and caught 23 passes for 229 yards and two scores, while Mormino was injured for much of the season.
Senior Braylon Thoman was a big-play threat on the outside, catching 49 passes for 655 yards and six touchdowns. Senior Jordan Briner and junior Morgan Knapp also return at wide receiver.
Senior Eli Smith returns at tight end after catching three touchdown passes. Senior linebacker Garrett Long, who played some tight end the second half of last season and earned The Republic Football Player of the Year honors, also will play there.
The front line is led by 6-foot-4, 310-pound junior tackle Drew Schiefer and 6-3, 305-pound senior center Bryce Harriman. Senior Miles Davis and junior Nehmiah Scruggs return at guard and could rotate at those spots with senior Gabe Bayne. Junior Braeden Farrell could fill the other tackle spot.
Senior Dumo Kak returns at defensive end and will be joined by senior Evan Saevre, a converted linebacker. Sophomore Sebastian Jackson steps in at nose tackle. Senior Reid Champan and junior Myles Buckner also figure into the rotation on the defensive line.
All four linebackers return in seniors Long and Jose Ramirez on the outside and senior Luke Russell and junior Anderson Horn inside.
“The linebacker corps is definitely our strongest unit,” Haston said. “We have to lean on them this year. The defensive backs have competed their butts off this summer. It’s been a very competitive depth chart battle, so we’re excited that we have a number of guys that can rotate in and play for us.”
Senior Jackson Haston and junior Sam Perry return at safety. Junior Macario Mendez and sophomore Davonte Degraffenreid step in at corner. Juniors Mykel Jones at corner and Koleton Sinnock at safety also could see action.
Senior Jayce Emmitt returns as the punter. Emmitt and seniors Luke Friend and Jack Johnson are battling for the place-kicking duties.
“Obviously, we want to take things one game at a time,” Logan Haston said. “That’s been our approach since November — be better than what you were the day before. We don’t want to look too far ahead. We know we have a lot of potential, but we have to have the discipline to match that potential.”
The Bull Dogs once again face a tough schedule, beginning with Friday’s season opener at Class 5A state runner-up Decatur Central. North also hosts perennial power Roncalli and visits reigning 3A state champ Bishop Chatard in Weeks 4-5 and has the always-potent Bloomington schools in Weeks 7-8.
Those games, Haston hopes, will prepare them to meet longtime nemesis Center Grove in the sectional.
“Ultimately, our program goal is to make a run in the tournament, and we know that in order to do that, we have to load up our schedule so it’s rigorous, but we wouldn’t want it any other way,” Logan Haston said. “Our guys are excited, and they’re going to embrace that challenge.”
The 2024 Columbus North football schedule:
Friday at Decatur Central, 7 p.m.
Aug. 30 vs. Columbus East, 7 p.m.
Sept. 6 at Southport, 7 p.m.
Sept. 13 vs. Roncalli, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20 at Bishop Chatard, 7 p.m.
Sept. 27 vs. Terre Haute North, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Bloomington South, 7 p.m.
Oct. 11 vs. Bloomington North, 7 p.m.
Oct. 18 at Terre Haute South, 7:30 p.m.
