Riverton Parke looks to continue momentum

Not satisfied.

That is how veteran Riverton Parke head football coach Brad Sanders summed up his feelings after watching his team through the first four games of the season. 

"I didn't feel like we were playing with the same effort the first three weeks of the season. We took some of last week's film session to show the boys our first half of the South Putnam game from last year and then showed them the first half of the Fountain Central game. I think once they saw it, what we had been preaching had finally made sense. We had a talk about how we cannot let last year's and this year's success take away our hunger. I felt like last week we started that again in practice, and it showed on film against Seeger. We played with a lot more physicality up front," Sanders told The Parke County Post. 

Against Seeger, the Panthers raced out to a 35-0 lead, as Brody McConnell and Derek Collom were too much for Seeger to handle. Collom finished the game with 208 yards on the ground. 

Through four games, the Panthers are averaging 38 points per game and have surpassed 40 points the last three weeks. Defensively, Riverton Parke is allowing 11.5 points per game. 

And, it has been a complete team effort, as Sanders has several guys that have stepped up nicely to shoulder the load. 

One such player is Nemo Knox, who plays defensive tackle, defensive end and linebacker. 

"He is our Swiss Army knife. He is an absolute blocking machine at tight end. His effort is relentless," Sanders said. 

The veteran coach called Collom the team's "Iron Man."

"He's always the hardest working guy on the field and just never seems to wear down. He's one of the best players I have ever had the pleasure of coaching. Brody McConnell has stepped in and took over at the quarterback spot and done an outstanding job. His running ability from the quarterback position has given us another threat for opposing defenses to worry about. I could honestly list all my guys. We preach it every day. Everyone is important to what we want to accomplish and brings something to the team," Sanders said. 

One group that has really taken off with its play is the offensive line, which got back to playing "nasty" against Seeger. 

"Some might take that the wrong way, and that is fine, football is a physical sport and our intention is to be physical. When we get double teams, we want to bury that defensive tackle. When we pull, we want to pull with a purpose. While it doesn't happen every play, it is the goal. Our goal is to physically wear out our opponents. Those guys up front as a collective group are pretty good when they want to be and play with a purpose," Sanders said. 

Defensive end Zeke Golay and defensive tackle Lane Griffin have given opposing offensive linemen fits, as has Bryer Oldham at defensive tackle. 

"Our other end is Noah Pope and when most people scout us they probably think they will run to that side. Don't let Noah fool you with his size. He isn't small by any means but his effort is outstanding. Great motor and great athlete. Certain looks he even bumps to a backer in coverage. He's a great athlete and even better kid. Overall, our guys up front on both sides are extremely talented. We just have to keep pushing them as coaches to play with a purpose and attitude," Sanders said. 

If there has been one area Sanders has been surprised with this year, it is the play of his junior varsity team, which is 3-0 and has not allowed a score. 

"For us to maintain our success as a program, we have to keep our numbers up and continue to play a full JV schedule while most of the WRC cannot do that right now and most haven't been able to the last few years. I would have to look but I am pretty sure we have only lost two for sure maybe three junior varsity games in the last five years. I really like our young freshmen and sophomore group," he said. 

This Friday, Riverton Parke will look to keep its unbeaten streak alive when it takes on North Vermillion. 

The Falcons fell 33-14 against South Vermillion last week. In the loss, quarterback Owen Hinchee was 14-of-21 for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Caleb Mitton rushed 11 times for 83 yards. 

"North Vermillion on film as usual has a bunch of scrappy hardnosed kids. It's just the way those kids are up there. When you play them, you know they are going to compete, play hard and make plays. Coach Crum is doing a good job and they are impressive. They were down 20 to Covington and came back and won, and they played well enough to beat South Vermillion if not for a turnover that led to a South Vermillion score. They give you a lot of different looks to prepare for so our defense will have to communicate and know their assignments. For us to get the win we still need to clean up some of the penalties we have had and execute our game plan. Physical, physical, physical. That's the goal. If we play physical with great effort I will be happy," Sanders said. 

A win would give Sanders his 50th career victory, something he is not thinking about. 

"I actually had no clue. As I have said before, its not about me. What we are trying to build takes a lot of people. There are so many people from youth coaches, alumni, our community support, and TD Club. So many people have a hand in what we do and support the program. As a former Panther football player who was a part of those lean years and understands how our program was viewed by other programs throughout the WRC, I am just proud we have gained some respect. It's our turn to enjoy some success and we are going to enjoy it and try to maintain it. I was on the team that won the first ever football homecoming at RP. We won 3-0 on a field goal by foreign exchange student David Karlson from Sweden. I was the snapper and junior high coach Kevin Allen was the holder, so winning homecoming is a big deal and a lot of fun. Our number one goal is remaining undefeated in WRC play and winning another conference championship," Sanders said.