PLYMOUTH – Graduation was not kind to Plymouth’s Rockies as they lost 22 seniors from a very successful season. Obviously, there are a lot of new faces but some very important familiar ones.
“We are a lot different than we were last year,” said Plymouth coach John Barron. “We lost a lot of people. but our kids have been very resilient I think.”
Along with graduation, the challenges of the pandemic era have also taken their toll.
“The biggest opponent we have is what’s going on around us right now,” said Barron. “When we have them we’re comfortable but we try to keep telling them to keep themselves safe until they come back on campus.”
“It’s a one day at a time kind of thing,” he said. “Just like everybody. “You’re holding your breath hoping not to get that call from your AD saying your shut down or that somebody is positive. We’ve been very fortunate.”
“If you think about what these kids have lived through and seen, there is so much uncertainty in their lives when we get them it’s almost a sigh of relief that they are around something normal that hasn’t been taken away from them.”
Barron is also fortunate to have some key returning players who had a big impact on the success of a year ago.
“When you look at us offensively we are lining up in the same formations but we have kids that have different skill sets at different positions,” said Barron. “Jake (Reichard) is a physical specimen. He might be the biggest most athletic quarterback that I’ve coached here. Coaching him is a lot different than coaching our quarterback last year.”
“When Joe needed an out he’d look at receiver one, receiver two, receiver three and throw the football,” he said. “Jake is going to look at one, two, and run the ball. That’s his defense mechanism is that he can run the ball.”
“He’s got a lot of ability,” said Barron. “He’s only played one half of a football game there as far as experience, but he’s done so much training that he looks very fluid and smooth. He’s got everybody’s attention and he’s a heck of a competitor.”
Another player returns who gives the Rockies a big offensive weapon.
“Ivan Winkle is a guy we will move around everywhere to get him the ball,” said Barron. “He’s got a tremendous competitive nature. He’s always moving forward and looking for the big play but he’s learned to just get those tough yards going forward.”
Another important piece to the puzzle is a player who’s made a name on the defensive side of the ball and will double up this season on the offense.
“Daniel Bacon was just an inside linebacker for us his whole career but he’s taken on that ‘H back position,” said Barron. “He’s a big strong kid and he’s smart as well.”
There are a lot of new names that will be called on to make their mark.
“They are inexperienced but they’ve been impressive,” said Barron. “Joe Cartwright couldn’t play last year because of the transfer rule. He’s the fastest guy on our team and he’s worked hard on his hands and his route running and he can play on both sides of the ball.”
“Michael Sheely has been impressive on the outside,” he said. “Devontae Garcia had a heckuva season on JV last year and we want to get the ball in his hands as well. We have a sophomore running back in Adrial Lester who has been impressive.”
“We’ve got guys that are going to fill those spots. They can play.”
Upfront some key components return.
“We’ve got (Owen) Bockman back, we have (Cristian) Quintana back who didn’t start but played a ton,” said Barron. “Quinton Crawford has played a lot of inside linebacker for us early on but we will probably have to use him a lot offensively. Sam Driver is working in at center. Connor DeLee has been impressive and he’s out for the first time in a couple of years.”
Defensively the Rockies return Isaac Navejar on the front. Tate Dunsizer and Collin Mills have experience and will be relied on.
“I think our guys are going to be ok,” said Barron. “I’ve been really happy with these guys they are a team. They’ve been through a lot and we like the way they approach the game, we like the way they practice.”
Another hurdle will be a schedule that does not have a letup.
“We open on the road to the defending state runner ups,” said Barron. “Even though its a two-hour drive it’s become a pretty good rivalry. It’s a really good 4A matchup. That’s going to be fun honestly. It will be a challenge.”
“Kokomo is going to be like night and day defensively East Noble will be all over the place and Kokomo will have some of the tightest (line) splits that we will ever see,” he said.
Then the NLC season will start with Warsaw, Northridge, and Mishawaka.
“We could have a really good team and our record not look like it after those five games,” said Barron. “I like our team. These kids battle. I know that they want to prove themselves. They want to make their own mark.”
“If we can stay healthy we are going to be in games,” he said. “We aren’t a big team but we have some guys that can run and disrupt.”
And what would be a successful season for Barron?
“Playing it.”
