South Vermillion hopes to continue its winning ways

As South Vermillion second-year head football coach Cory Miller prepares his team for a date with Class A top-ranked Riverton Parke this Friday night, he likes what he has seen from his team through the first half of the season. 

"It has been good. Really the big thing for us this year is seeing the progress and the culture settling in, along with really finding our identity on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. The kids have handled things very well, and they are tough mentally. A new week is always a new week. We give ourselves 24 hours to celebrate or correct mistakes and then it is on to the next one," Miller told The Parke County Post. 

The Wildcats are 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the Wabash River Conference. 

After falling to Parke Heritage in Week Three, South Vermillion has handled its business the last two weeks, defeating North Vermillion (33-14) and Covington (47-8). 

"I think what is big for us so far has been the way we have handled things. We came out strong against Sullivan and knew we would compete. We didn't expect the wheels to fall off, especially being down 21-7 at the half and getting the ball to start the second half. We saw that team fight, and that has been the big thing. Last year, we took our hits and took our bruises on the chin. This year, we have taken our hits and we have gotten back up. That goes to show the mental toughness of our players and shows that we are tough, physical and relentless. So far this year, it has been great. To match that win total of last year, we feel good but not satisfied," Miller admitted. 

Last week against Covington, the Wildcats had a "prove it week," according to Miller. 

South Vermillion quarterback Ben Shryock was 9-of-12 for 224 yards and four touchdowns, and also added 53 yards on the ground. 

Miller said his quarterback has been consistent all season long. 

"The heavy hitter for us right now is Ben Shryock, and it's not close. We rely on that kid to do a lot for us. To run the football like he does, we don't have a guy who does it like he does. He's downhill, he sticks his nose in there, he's not afraid to get hit and isn't afraid to hit. He takes pride in it. It's fourth and short a couple of times, and he looks at me and says, "Coach, give it to me." The guys love him, respect him and trust him to control the offense," Miller said. 

Campbell Coleman rushed for 92 yards and a touchdown, while Colton Robertson added 55 yards and a score on five touches. Robertson has also been a defensive standout for South Vermillion this fall. 

"The kids have worked their butts off for these moments. Our kids know this is not the final product, and we have to get better," Miller said. 

The Wildcats will look to improve this week when they host Class A top ranked Riverton Parke. 

Miller said when he turns on the film, he sees a Panthers team that looks "really good."

"They are really good. They are big up front, and they have athletes. Their quarterback runs the football well and commands the offense. Their fullback has been putting it on teams running the football. He's a physical runner, tough to tackle, and tough to bring down. Offensively, they are really good at what they do," Miller said. 

If there is one area of Riverton Parke that surprises the second-year coach, Miller notes it is the defensive side of the football.

"I think that has been the shocker for us watching film. We read the script. They blitz 57 percent of the time, and when you take their JV out, that number jumps to 65 to 70 percent of the time. They get after it on defense, and they bring a lot of heat. They suffocate offenses, they are tough and aggressive. It will be a heck of a match up. It will be a tough night, but I think it will be a fun night for both of us," Miller said. 

As for what it will take to pick up a win, Miller said his team has to be ready to meet the Panthers exactly where they are. 

"It will take us playing a really good game, good four quarters of football. We have to pick up the pressure on offense and defensively, we have to tackle. We have to be mentally and physically tough to stick our nose in there and make a tackle. Their quarterback throws the ball well, and we have to be mindful of what they want to do. We have to play tough, meet them where they are, play sound and play level headed. We know it's a rivalry game, but we have to play sound and be focused on our responsibilities," Miller said. 

Regardless of what happens against the Panthers, Miller knows there will still be plenty of football ahead for his team before getting into Class 2A Sectional 38. 

"I want to see us continue to compete at a high level and find the will every down. Those guys have worked their butts off, but we want to continue to see guys give good effort and compete. Football is a physical game, and finding the motivation to legally compete hard against the opponent on every down can become redundant, but we want our guys to stay motivated and continue to get after it. Everybody gets a chance and opportunity in the postseason. We don't know how the draw could happen, and the road to the sectional final could look easy. It is a competitive sectional, and the season could run into November. You never know what could happen," Miller said.