Youthful Wildcats ready for 2022
August 16, 2022 at 9:04 p.m.
“While we're young and inexperienced in a lot of areas, we have a team willing to work and put the time in to improve.”
In a nutshell, this shows the mindset of Franklin County head coach Wes Gillman as he leads the Wildcats for a fifth season.
A mere five upperclassmen return to the 2022 squad carrying significant varsity experience.
“We are very thin on upperclassmen, that's for sure,” the coach emphasized.
But from that quintet, a few areas on the field receive a solid foundation.
Bryce Hodapp and Clayton Bolser, both seniors, play each side of the line of scrimmage along with junior Ben Becker. Hodapp recorded 11.5 sacks in 2021, which put him among the state leaders in that category.
“A challenge for this team, especially early on, is getting in game shape to be able to play a full game going both ways,” Gillman said of this trio and others.
Senior captains Brady Morehead and Peyton McCreary will handle the bulk of carries out of the backfield, as well as provide defense on the second level as linebackers. Morehead spent most of his previous three years as FC's quarterback.
“Brady's a good athlete and great teammate,” said Gillman. “I think (moving him to RB) makes sense in that Brady is a natural runner and it allows us to play (sophomore Quinn) Gillman at his natural position of QB. Brady will go on to play college football … kids like him are one of the reasons I love coaching. He's going to give it everything he has.”
Likewise, complimentary words were sent McCreary's way.
“Peyton's an incredible kid with a great attitude and will be successful in life because of that,” said his coach. “He'll get some carries, but he'll also be a tremendous lead blocker and pass catcher. Having those two in the backfield with Quinn sets us up nicely as they are all kids the coaches can trust.”
The next group of upper-class athletes includes several who have flashed potential but have yet to face the rigors of an entire varsity schedule.
Seniors Spencer Bath (wide receiver/defensive back/kicker) and Phoenix Simons (linebacker/punter) will benefit from work put in at the lower ranks.
“Spencer is finally getting a chance to show people what he's capable of,” said his mentor. “He's had some really good athletes in front of him, but this year is his time. Spencer has the ability to be our go-to receiver.”
Gillman called Simons a “fast, hard worker who has the potential to have a great season.”
Junior linemen Branson Galyen and Lance Fields will play key roles, as will Terrell Beesley (WR/DB), who is suiting up again after a two-year absence.
Gillman noted Galyen (OT) and Fields (OG) make up a side of the offensive line that needs to prove itself early.
“Lance has made great strides over the course of the last month and Branson put on a lot of muscle … he's going to get better as the season progresses.”
“Terrell's had a great attitude so far this year,” he added. "I told him he's going to have a fun year if he keeps grinding.”
The defensive line projects as a strength with Hodapp and Galyen on the ends and Bolser and Becker manning the middle. Gillman's counting on solid relief duties from juniors Nate Noble and Breck Bohman, as well as sophomore Lane Westerman.
Hodapp (OT), as captain, sophomore Jack Dirkhising (OG) and returning center and captain Becker form the more stable part of the offensive line. Gillman sees a “tremendous season” coming from this trio, adding Hodapp is a “force on both sides of the ball.”
Dirkhising will also slot in at linebacker along with classmate Jack Seals and freshman Mason Wewe (RB/LB/safety). In the defensive backfield, Bath and Beesley will man the corners along with sophomore Braylon Kruthaupt, and Q. Gillman as one safety to go with up-and-coming soph Cole Freese.
Leading the offense will be Gillman's son Quinn.
“He's turned into a man over the past year,” said Dad. “Not completely developed physically but he's gotten a lot stronger and can now thrive at this level. I love his attitude and work ethic. He needs to work on vocal leadership but he's tremendous leading by example. He has the potential to really break out this year.”
When he looks to air it out, Gillman will try to find Bath, Beesley, Kruthaupt, Seals and freshman Blake Stephenson.
Kruthaupt is getting back to strength after ACL surgery: “A savvy athlete who's always in the right position on offense and defense … will be a tremendous player once his body catches up to his talent.”
The same can be said of Seals, whose possession skills and route running have caught his coaches' attention. Gillman said Stephenson (WR/K) can make an impact as early as this year, with “a great career in front of him.”
After a big Class of 2025 enrolled at FC, this year's freshman crop is also “large and athletic.” Many will fill special teams roles.
Coaching that unit is Stone Laughlin, as Adam Kelly now fills the defensive coordinator role.
“Coach Kelly is a hard worker who spends a ton of time game planning and (preparing) kids to be successful,” said the head coach.
Kelly's D will look like that of former DC Justin Seals – he remains on staff – and his 4-4 stack except for a move to the nickel package (5 DBs) on passing downs or against pass-heavy teams.
Tony Pflum returns for a second year as offensive coordinator. Mike Rauch continues to coach the D-line, with Randy Bolos leading the secondary, Steve Morehead the LBs and RBs and Brandon Good the O-line. Laughlin heads up the receiving corps.
“We have several sophomores and freshmen who are going to have to step up and play like upperclassmen as the season goes on,” summarized Gillman. “I like this team as a whole. For the most part, they get along well, and we don't have any issues in terms of selfish play or not being good teammates. There's a lot to say for that.”
Looking ahead
East Central is always circled on the calendar and takes place Sept. 9 in St. Leon. Other Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference (big school division) games are Aug. 26 vs. an improved Connersville team and Sept. 16 vs. a strong Lawrenceburg squad.
“It's always hard to predict,” said Gillman of EIAC action.
FC will travel to Rushville Sept. 2 and Greensburg Sept. 23 before hosting South Dearborn Sept. 30 and Batesville Oct. 7. These four are officially non-conference but also show up in the competitive Sectional 31 field along with Lawrenceburg, Indian Creek and Centerville (up from Class 2A).
The opener is Friday as New Castle visits, 7 p.m. kickoff.
Gillman: “NC is going to line up offensively with 4 and 5 receiver sets and might throw the ball 40 to 50 times. It's going to be a challenge for our young defensive backs. I don't think it's one of the best Trojan teams we've faced, but they have the ability to put points on the board. We need to be disciplined in the secondary and not allow big plays. For us, offensively, we need to take care of the football and slow the game down as much as we can, while still being in attack mode. It should be a fun night. We are very young and inexperienced, but I think our kids can and will compete Friday.”
FC concludes the regular season Oct. 14 at Beech Grove.
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“While we're young and inexperienced in a lot of areas, we have a team willing to work and put the time in to improve.”
In a nutshell, this shows the mindset of Franklin County head coach Wes Gillman as he leads the Wildcats for a fifth season.
A mere five upperclassmen return to the 2022 squad carrying significant varsity experience.
“We are very thin on upperclassmen, that's for sure,” the coach emphasized.
But from that quintet, a few areas on the field receive a solid foundation.
Bryce Hodapp and Clayton Bolser, both seniors, play each side of the line of scrimmage along with junior Ben Becker. Hodapp recorded 11.5 sacks in 2021, which put him among the state leaders in that category.
“A challenge for this team, especially early on, is getting in game shape to be able to play a full game going both ways,” Gillman said of this trio and others.
Senior captains Brady Morehead and Peyton McCreary will handle the bulk of carries out of the backfield, as well as provide defense on the second level as linebackers. Morehead spent most of his previous three years as FC's quarterback.
“Brady's a good athlete and great teammate,” said Gillman. “I think (moving him to RB) makes sense in that Brady is a natural runner and it allows us to play (sophomore Quinn) Gillman at his natural position of QB. Brady will go on to play college football … kids like him are one of the reasons I love coaching. He's going to give it everything he has.”
Likewise, complimentary words were sent McCreary's way.
“Peyton's an incredible kid with a great attitude and will be successful in life because of that,” said his coach. “He'll get some carries, but he'll also be a tremendous lead blocker and pass catcher. Having those two in the backfield with Quinn sets us up nicely as they are all kids the coaches can trust.”
The next group of upper-class athletes includes several who have flashed potential but have yet to face the rigors of an entire varsity schedule.
Seniors Spencer Bath (wide receiver/defensive back/kicker) and Phoenix Simons (linebacker/punter) will benefit from work put in at the lower ranks.
“Spencer is finally getting a chance to show people what he's capable of,” said his mentor. “He's had some really good athletes in front of him, but this year is his time. Spencer has the ability to be our go-to receiver.”
Gillman called Simons a “fast, hard worker who has the potential to have a great season.”
Junior linemen Branson Galyen and Lance Fields will play key roles, as will Terrell Beesley (WR/DB), who is suiting up again after a two-year absence.
Gillman noted Galyen (OT) and Fields (OG) make up a side of the offensive line that needs to prove itself early.
“Lance has made great strides over the course of the last month and Branson put on a lot of muscle … he's going to get better as the season progresses.”
“Terrell's had a great attitude so far this year,” he added. "I told him he's going to have a fun year if he keeps grinding.”
The defensive line projects as a strength with Hodapp and Galyen on the ends and Bolser and Becker manning the middle. Gillman's counting on solid relief duties from juniors Nate Noble and Breck Bohman, as well as sophomore Lane Westerman.
Hodapp (OT), as captain, sophomore Jack Dirkhising (OG) and returning center and captain Becker form the more stable part of the offensive line. Gillman sees a “tremendous season” coming from this trio, adding Hodapp is a “force on both sides of the ball.”
Dirkhising will also slot in at linebacker along with classmate Jack Seals and freshman Mason Wewe (RB/LB/safety). In the defensive backfield, Bath and Beesley will man the corners along with sophomore Braylon Kruthaupt, and Q. Gillman as one safety to go with up-and-coming soph Cole Freese.
Leading the offense will be Gillman's son Quinn.
“He's turned into a man over the past year,” said Dad. “Not completely developed physically but he's gotten a lot stronger and can now thrive at this level. I love his attitude and work ethic. He needs to work on vocal leadership but he's tremendous leading by example. He has the potential to really break out this year.”
When he looks to air it out, Gillman will try to find Bath, Beesley, Kruthaupt, Seals and freshman Blake Stephenson.
Kruthaupt is getting back to strength after ACL surgery: “A savvy athlete who's always in the right position on offense and defense … will be a tremendous player once his body catches up to his talent.”
The same can be said of Seals, whose possession skills and route running have caught his coaches' attention. Gillman said Stephenson (WR/K) can make an impact as early as this year, with “a great career in front of him.”
After a big Class of 2025 enrolled at FC, this year's freshman crop is also “large and athletic.” Many will fill special teams roles.
Coaching that unit is Stone Laughlin, as Adam Kelly now fills the defensive coordinator role.
“Coach Kelly is a hard worker who spends a ton of time game planning and (preparing) kids to be successful,” said the head coach.
Kelly's D will look like that of former DC Justin Seals – he remains on staff – and his 4-4 stack except for a move to the nickel package (5 DBs) on passing downs or against pass-heavy teams.
Tony Pflum returns for a second year as offensive coordinator. Mike Rauch continues to coach the D-line, with Randy Bolos leading the secondary, Steve Morehead the LBs and RBs and Brandon Good the O-line. Laughlin heads up the receiving corps.
“We have several sophomores and freshmen who are going to have to step up and play like upperclassmen as the season goes on,” summarized Gillman. “I like this team as a whole. For the most part, they get along well, and we don't have any issues in terms of selfish play or not being good teammates. There's a lot to say for that.”
Looking ahead
East Central is always circled on the calendar and takes place Sept. 9 in St. Leon. Other Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference (big school division) games are Aug. 26 vs. an improved Connersville team and Sept. 16 vs. a strong Lawrenceburg squad.
“It's always hard to predict,” said Gillman of EIAC action.
FC will travel to Rushville Sept. 2 and Greensburg Sept. 23 before hosting South Dearborn Sept. 30 and Batesville Oct. 7. These four are officially non-conference but also show up in the competitive Sectional 31 field along with Lawrenceburg, Indian Creek and Centerville (up from Class 2A).
The opener is Friday as New Castle visits, 7 p.m. kickoff.
Gillman: “NC is going to line up offensively with 4 and 5 receiver sets and might throw the ball 40 to 50 times. It's going to be a challenge for our young defensive backs. I don't think it's one of the best Trojan teams we've faced, but they have the ability to put points on the board. We need to be disciplined in the secondary and not allow big plays. For us, offensively, we need to take care of the football and slow the game down as much as we can, while still being in attack mode. It should be a fun night. We are very young and inexperienced, but I think our kids can and will compete Friday.”
FC concludes the regular season Oct. 14 at Beech Grove.