North Putnam ready for great season

Of the losses last year, three were by 10 points or less, including two losses to Greencastle by a total of nine points. 

Fresh off the best offseason since Scott Moore took over the reigns of the North Putnam football team, the Cougars look to kick off the 2024 campaign Friday when they host North Montgomery. 

"The offseason was the best it has been since I have been here. Attendance, commitment, leadership, all of the above. We return a great group of returners and some new pieces that are going to help us right away. We are very excited about what this team can be and look forward to the season," Moore told The Putnam County Post. 

After finishing last season 3-7 last year, Moore believes this season could be a big one for the Cougars. Of the losses last year, three were by 10 points or less, including two losses to Greencastle by a total of nine points. 

"We are very excited about what this team can be and look forward to the season. Being year three in the system and with a lot of 2 and 3 year starters we feel confident in our understanding of our schemes.  Having more upperclassmen has been positive with our overall team strength/speed and culture and we hope to lean on the experience we have on Friday nights. We are looking forward to this group and what we can accomplish, and to start getting the job done in some of these close games where we haven't in the past," Moore said.   

Leading the way is quarterback Christian Kramer, a three year starter. 

"He has continued to develop and work to improve himself," Moore said of his signal caller. 

In addition, Moore mentioned junior Wes Murphy, seniors Paxton O'Brien, Braxton Woodall and Braxston Mitchell, as well as juniors Beckett Braeger and Gavin Payne as other players the Cougars will lean on. 

"Wes Murphy also has a lot of experience for a junior, and we will look to him to be able to make big plays for us. Paxton O'Brien is a senior leader, who has started since his sophomore year and he is a big part of what we do.  Up front, seniors Braxton Woodall and Braxston Mitchell will lead our group, along with returning starters Beckett Braeger and Gavin Payne, both of which are juniors and have gotten much stronger over the offseason.  Jake Turk will be the other lineman in his first season starting. He has worked very hard to earn his spot and we look for good things from him as well," Moore said. 

Out wide, North Putnam will have Griffen Starr, Kaden Helderman, Chase Barber and Wyatt Kendrick. 

"They are athletic and have picked up on things very quickly.   Defensively we return our 100+ tackler in Caiden Hankins along with Brody Kinkead and look for them to be leaders on the defensive end, among others previously mentioned.  Hudson Rowe will play a lot up front on the defensive end and is another guy who has bought in this offseason and is ready for varsity football. Hank Wood, Nolan Patrick and Khalid Hassar will also get a lot of reps in the front line. Kyler Hankins and Liam Sullivan are linebackers that have gotten better every day and will be able to help us on Friday nights.  Owen Thurman is our lone sophomore starting, but has a very high football IQ and will play safety and has done a very good job this summer and in the scrimmage," Moore said. 

North Putnam will open the season Friday against North Montgomery. A season ago, North Montgomery knocked off North Putnam, 40-16. 

"North Montgomery has a lot of new players after losing many seniors, but they still have some really good returning players and have a good program and culture of their own so we know that they are going to be ready to play.  We haven't got the job done the last two seasons and know that we have to be at our best and cut down on mental mistakes to give ourselves a chance to win on Friday night," Moore said.