North Vermillion ready for sectional challenge

While the record may not be what first year head coach Nate Crum had wanted, he has seen improvement every day from his North Vermillion football team.

The Falcons closed out the regular season on a three game losing streak and fell to Seeger, 35-20, last week to drop to 2-7 on the season. 

Despite the setback, Crum has been happy with his team this season. 

"I have been very happy with the way the team has bought into the program. To me how quick everyone has been able to pick up on what we want to do both offensively and defensively speaks volumes to how hungry these guys are to get wins. The one thing from the regular season that we need to fix is hurting ourselves in key moments. We have to do a better job of playing more disciplined football for a full game," Crum told The Parke County Post.

The Falcons have benefitted from the play of Emmett Walters and Brayden Uplinger, according to Crum.

"Both of them have been put into positions that if they do not perform, it is obvious. I think both of them have handled those roles really well this season," Crum said. 

The first year coach said the same applies to center Xander Holt. 

"He has been a model of consistency which is what you need out of your center. I love the fact that when he makes a mistake he knows he did it and knows why it happened, he will rarely make the same mistake again.  On top of that, we have had guys stand out in different games throughout the year. From Hinchee at quarterback  to Colton Medina, Phillip Grubbs, Caleb Mitton and Joseph Bennet getting the lion's share of targets and carries behind Emmett Walters.  All of them at some point have had a standout game or two.   One very great surprise for us was a late turnout that is now a very productive defensive starter. Brantley Dowers. He is a pick up that we are very happy decided to come out," Crum said. 

North Vermillion faces a familiar foe in the opening round of the Sectional tournament, drawing top ranked Riverton Parke (9-0). The Panthers defeated the Falcons 56-0 last month. 

Crum knows what his team is up against and that in order to win a sectional, North Vermillion would have to play the Panthers at some point. 

"Obviously, we could have had a better draw than the #1 team in 1A. However I think everyone in the sectional probably feels the same as I do- If you want to win this sectional this year you are going to have to beat RP. So for us if we are going to get that done, it's in the first round not the sectional final. They are a very good team so in order for us to win we have to play mistake free football and try to create as much adversity for them as possible. That is what we will try to do on Friday," Crum said.