GREENFIELD – After securing Greenfield-Central’s first winning season since 2016, head coach Travis Nolting is looking to keep that momentum going heading into this season.
“We return a lot of guys with experience, a lot of starters from last year,” Nolting said. “We’ve got a lot of good young talent coming up as well. We’re just going to continue to work hard and take things day by day and try to get better each day.”
Since finishing 0-10 in 2018, the Cougars have found new life under the leadership of now fourth-year head coach Nolting, improving their record in each subsequent season – 2-9 in 2019, 3-5 in 2020 and 7-4 in 2021.
“We feel pretty good about the progress we’ve made in the four years that I’ve been head coach here,” Nolting said.
After opening last season with a loss to Plainfield, the Cougars three remaining losses came at the hands of the two teams they were chasing in the Hoosier Heritage Conference — New Palestine and Mt. Vernon.
Mt. Vernon, the eventual 2021 Class 4A state champions, defeated Greenfield-Central 42-21 early in the season, and then were responsible for ending the Cougars season by a score of 49-34 in the sectional semifinals.
“Mt. Vernon is a great program. They’ve done a great job of getting themselves in a position where they are perennially competing for a state championship,” Nolting said. “We’re at a position now in our program where we are just trying to improve each day. We’re just excited to play in one of the best and most competitive conferences in the state of Indiana.”
Nolting’s squad will rely on both returning players, as well as key newcomers this season, if they are to take that next step forward and secure another winning season.
The biggest hole the Cougars have to fill is at the quarterback position following Rashawn Street’s departure. In Street, Greenfield-Central loses its offensive leader and leading touchdown scorer, he rushed for 11 touchdowns and passed for three last season.
“Rashawn was an excellent player,” Nolting said. “Just a phenomenal athlete that brought a lot of things to the table for us.”
However, Nolting has plenty of faith in his newcomers this season — none more important than sophomore Dallas Freeman. He will be Street’s replacement and Greenfield-Central’s starting quarterback heading into the season.
“Dallas Freeman brings a different set of things to the table,” Nolting said. “We feel like we have a good handle on what we got and what Dallas can do. We’re excited to see him perform.”
Even with a new look at quarterback, the Cougars wishbone rushing attack shouldn’t slow down one bit.
Returning for their senior seasons, running backs Andrew Zellers and Brayden Herrell will lead the Cougars run game within Nolting’s unique style of offense.
A season ago, Zellers rushed for 1,090 yards and 10 touchdowns, while averaging 121.1 yards per game. Those numbers were good enough to earn him All-State honors. Herrell also added 884 yards and 6 touchdowns.
“He’s [Herrell] a very talented, versatile back that can come out of the backfield and catch passes as well as run it,” Nolting said. “We’re excited about what we have. We pride ourselves on finding ways for kids with different skill sets to be successful in our offensive schemes.”
On the defensive side of the ball, the Cougars will be led by senior Brad Allen. He caused havoc for opposing teams last season, recording 16 sacks, good enough for first in the Hoosier Heritage Conference and second in the state. Allen also led the team with nine tackles for a loss and finished second on the team in overall tackles with 50.
“He’s [Allen] a fantastic young man and a very good player,” Nolting said. “He’s just a tremendous worker.”
While Allen handles the pressure up front, Greenfield-Central will look to returning senior Owen Anderson and junior Kirk Knecht in the secondary. Anderson led the team with four interceptions last season, while adding 37 tackles.
Knecht added two interceptions and 24 tackles of his own from the free safety position and made some big plays down the stretch for the Cougars. He is one of a few two-way guys for the Cougars as well, playing wide receiver.
Nolting had high praise for Knecht for being a four-sport athlete at Greenfield-Central, playing basketball, baseball and track and field outside of football
“Kirk is a two-way guy for us and a four-sport athlete which is very uncommon and rare to find nowadays,” Nolting said. “He’s just a phenomenal athlete and a fantastic talent.”
The Cougars open the season on the road Friday at 7 p.m. against Plainfield.
