South Putnam enters season with new expectations

The Eagles went 9-2 on the season, losing to Greencastle and Class A champion Lutheran by a total of nine points.

The 2023 football campaign was a special one for the South Putnam Eagles and head coach Chuck Sorrell. 

The Eagles went 9-2 on the season, losing to Greencastle and Class A champion Lutheran by a total of nine points. With the Saints moving onto Class 2A, the door is wide open for South Putnam, who entered this week's season opener against Speedway, ranked first in Class A, to make a deep playoff run.

However, while others may have expectations and want to talk about last year's loss to Lutheran in the playoffs, Sorrell wants to talk about anything else. 

"We have not mentioned Lutheran this year. Last year, they were the only goal and we came up short. This year, it's about winning one week at a time. We have work to do to be a top three team in the state and most of that is about us doing the right things and fixing mistakes we make on the field," Sorrel told The Putnam County Post. 

According to Sorrell, the Eagles got in great work during the summer against "beefed" up competition. 

"I have some great friends in the coaching community, so this allows us to go against good teams like Northview, Monrovia, Eastern Hancock and Danville. These bigger and successful schools help us get ready for our tough opening four games," Sorrell said. 

The Eagles had a few linemen banged up last month, but the veteran coach admits his team is starting to get healthy as they approach Friday's opener.

"We are a work in progress. We will start getting key guys back week by week. Our goal is to peak weeks 10 through 15," he said. 

A season ago, South Putnam was good on the defensive side of the ball in every game but one, according to Sorrell. That game was against Greencastle, when the Tiger Cubs scored 51 points against South Putnam. This year, Sorrell is optimistic his defense will be solid again. 

"Losing four quality seniors on defense, we are a young squad who must get better week by week. We are only starting three seniors on defense," Sorrell said.

Offensively, the Eagles bring back quite a bit, starting with four year starter Wyatt Mullin at quarterback. Up front, South Putnam brings back experience and strength. 

Sorrell is hopeful all that can transcend into a magical season for the Eagles. 

"The expectations have never changed in my years here. Win county, win conference and win state championship games," Sorrell said.