Although the regular season did not go as hoped, the team is looking forward to making a move in the postseason, starting tonight.
“Our record does not define us as a team. We have spent countless hours in the weight room and on the field to prepare ourselves for each week. I think the Sectional will prove all of that. We are heading into it with some anger from the regular season, and whoever we draw will not be ready for us when we come at them. We strongly believe we are the best team in this Sectional and we will win the Sectional championship,” Coach Justin Boser said.
With the new Sectional draw, the Woodmen have high expectations.
“I think the whole team has high expectations for Sectionals this year, which includes a championship win. Our team is definitely within the realm of possibly winning Sectionals this year. The most recent team to have won a Sectional title in this new Sectional is us, when we won back in 2017, and we are for sure looking to bring another one home,” junior Anthony Scaramazzo, running back, said.
The Woodmen are strong in their run game. That all starts up front in the trenches, where the strong offensive linemen call home. The Woodmen offensive line includes seniors Alex Kramer and Alex Skinner and juniors Alex Ituarte, Carson Andreas and Zeke Faulkens.
“Our run game is probably our best aspect right now. Our line has been pretty dominant throughout the season, which has really boosted our run game. On top of that, we have amazing running backs, Gunner Ruppert and Anthony Scaramazzo. We also have Ajay Weathers, Brady Cave, and occasionally Andre Watson, who play a full back type position. They lead block on quite a few of our run plays. It becomes nearly unstoppable at times,” junior Ayden Houseman, quarterback, said.
The Woodmen’s run offense has been difficult to stop, racking up 1,509 total rushing yards through six games. Leading the offense in rushing is Ruppert with 810 yards through five games. However, nobody should rule out their passing game.
“I feel like we have a good pass offense to go along with the run. It may not be as dominant as our run, but it still works very well. If we need a bigger play to fire up the offense or need bigger yardage plays, a pass will do just that. We are a threat in the short and deep pass. We have a talented quarterback in Houseman and a solid receiving core that allows us to do that,” junior Parker Doolin, wide receiver, said.
Despite the setbacks the team has faced, they have fought through them all. After Houseman suffered from an injury against Mooresville on Week 3, Coach Boser moved running back Gunner Ruppert to quarterback. With Ruppert and Houseman out in Week 7, Coach Boser called up sophomore Parker Jarboe to fill in the vital role.
“I think with the setbacks we have faced, the team has rebounded well to them. Coach Boser always preaches that if one man goes down, we need three more to replace him. We have done just that. Our running back, Gunner Ruppert, filled in for quarterback when Houseman got hurt. Now that Ruppert and Houseman are both out, we have Davion Jones and Jarboe taking snaps at quarterback. The team is continuing with how we played before because we shouldn’t change our identity just because two of our starters are out,” Scaramazzo said.
Jarboe is the varsity punter as well as junior varsity quarterback The second time Houseman went down, Jarboe was eager and ready to fill in.
“When I was told I would be starting against Decatur Central, it’s safe to say I was nervous. I knew I had to be more prepared than ever. Luckily, I had a jump start thanks to summer workouts and practices. I know this offense pretty well. I just need to listen to our coaching staff because they are great and know what to do. I had to do everything in my power to practice my butt off so that I could prepare our offense for Decatur Central. I had to step up and fill in the leadership role that was left empty with Houseman out. If I need to fill in the role of quarterback during the playoffs, the coaches know they can trust me to do my best and do what I’m told,” Jarboe said.
Team bonding is a huge aspect on the team, from team dinners to sleepovers at teammates’ houses.
“Over the summer, a lot of the guys would always be together hanging out. We love to have sleepovers. Another tradition we love to do is o-line dinners. Every Wednesday, the varsity o-line, quarterback, and a couple of other guys all go out to eat to build chemistry. We get closer after every practice as well. I am a strong believer that if you have good bonds with your teammates, you will all play better because you are playing with your brothers instead of yourself. I think that will bring us success in the Sectional round and going on,” Skinner said.
The Woodmen will take on Shelbyville next Friday night. The Golden Bears have found success through their run game and preparation has been all about defending that.
