Crawfordsville enters the 2016 campaign
with not only a new mindset, but a new head coach.
Larry Getts, who is in his 11th
season overall, has compiled a record of 50-63 while winning two sectional
championships. He will look to turn the Athenian’s program around after a 3-7
record last season.
“This year’s team has a lot of confidence,
developed and experienced leaders with great attitudes,” said Getts. “I believe
winning is a mindset, and we’re working to develop that.”
One of those leaders is senior and
third-year quarterback Trent Johnson. He had a successful junior season, by
totaling more than 1,900 yards on offense, including 1,600 passing yards with
14 touchdowns. One of his favorite targets was fellow classmate, Elliot
Stewart. Stewart caught 21 passes averaging over 18-yards per catch, five going
for touchdowns.
Seniors Deontae Peete, Caden Jones and
Jarrett Janssen will look to turn around a defensive unit that surrendered 48.2
points per game last season.
“Every game our team will come
face-to-face with adversity and the outcome will depend on how we respond to
it,” Getts said. “We can either respond positively or negatively and we’re
working on our mental toughness right now.”
“Our goal is to be competitive on a
consistent basis,” he continued. “We’ll control the things we can: our effort,
execution, and unity.”
The Athenians have 19 seniors this season
who will look to lay the foundation for the program going forward.
They open their season with two Western
Indiana Conference foes, as they travel to Greencastle on Aug. 19, before
hosting West Vigo on Aug. 26. They will open Sagamore Conference play when
Western Boone comes to town on Sept. 2.
“Change comes from within,” Getts said.
“The players want it, now it’s all about going out and executing our game
plan.”