JASPER, Ind. (WFIE) – It’s time for another team preview and we’re taking a look at Jasper. The Wildcats always have high expectations and hope to once again pose a threat in the SIAC.
Head coach Tony Lewis tells us he has a lot of guys with college experience back, like quarterback Max Bueltel, tailbacks like Caden Erny and Jack Levin, and tight end Luke Heichelbech, to name a few. The Cats will also have a very experienced offensive and defensive line, and that bodes well for a team like Jasper.
“On both sides of the ball, we’re happy with our offensive and defensive line. Our depth isn’t where we need it to be right now, but we’re still working on it,” Lewis said. “This offense, what we do offensively with option football, there are a lot of nuances that you have to work through in the summer and preseason, and you try to get those backups ready in case something happens to a starter. I’m really excited about our offensive and defensive line because we win a lot of games up front.”
“I would say our front six defenders are really good, as is our offensive line. That’s usually our biggest factor because we’re a big running team and everyone knows that,” said Evan Nordhoff of Jasper. “It works for us because we have a good offensive line, because we can kind of control the tempo of the game on offense and really do whatever we want with any team’s defensive line.”
The Wildcats begin their season at home against Memorial on Friday and will then play at the new and improved Jerry Brewer Alumni Stadium.
The home and away stands are completely new, but that is not all. An 11,A 1,000-foot-tall building was added behind the main grandstand, featuring two new locker rooms, coaches’ offices, a restroom and additional toilets.
“Our lockers are bigger and newer. We have a few things that we can use to hang our helmets and shoulder pads on the locker to avoid mold and other odors that you get in regular locker rooms and to let things dry better,” Lewis said. “It’s always nice to get something new. Our school board and the entire administration are very focused on improving our athletic facility. When they’re done with everything, it’s going to be a first-class situation.”
“It’s really nice. It’s really humbling. Not every school in town has something like this, and it’s really nice for us,” said Luke Heichelbech of Jasper. “A lot of energy in the locker room. It’s a really important game for us because Memorial is always a big rivalry.”
The entrances and exits to the stadium have also been redesigned. The project was completed in the spring. Jasper will host the Memorial tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.
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