Eagles football adding to history

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 4:36 AM

By Paul Gable

South Putnam head football coach Chuck Sorrell is no stranger to the history that is South Putnam football.

The veteran coach has the Eagles back on the cusp of making an appearance to Lucas Oil Stadium, as South Putnam will travel to Milan Friday for the Class A South Semi-State game.

It is a repeat of the 2001 and 2002 seasons, which marked the last time the Eagles went back-to-back as regional champions.

"We said it last Friday, looking up at the board and you see those 2001 and 2002 teams. That was the last time they went back-to-back regional champions. They got beat in '01 and in '02, they came back and had a chance to play for a state championship," Sorrell told The Putnam County Post.

In 2001, then coach Mark Wildman, for whom the field at South Putnam is named after, finished the season 10-4 after losing to Perry Central, 33-7 in the semi-state. One season later, the Eagles would find success again, riding a late seven game win streak into an appearance in the state title game, where South Putnam fell 17-14 to Southwood. South Putnam would finish 12-3 under Wildman that season.

"It is kind of amazing how the tides have turned and we are in that same opportunity. You look at our team, and a lot of their uncles and dads were on those teams. It is amazing when you see that, the history keeps going at South Putnam," Sorrell said.

Those were not the only seasons South Putnam made a run at a state championship.

In 1985, the Eagles fell 21-13 to Eastern Hancock in the semi-state and in 1986, South Putnam captured a Class A state championship, defeating North Judson, 29-21.

"Let's hope we are like the 85-86 team and not get beat in the state championship game by a field goal. Those players from 2002 have not forgotten that game. You talk to those older folks from 1986 and all they can remember is winning a state championship," Sorrell said.

In order to get to Lucas Oil Stadium, South Putnam will have to get past a Milan team that enters Friday at 7-4 and have allowed 28 total points over the last three games.

"It is a big accomplishment for our team. It is what we have been working hard for since June," Sorrell said of the opportunity.