At 6-1 on the season, South Putnam head football coach Chuck Sorrell has plenty of reasons to smile.
Especially when he looks at his defense, which has surrendered less than 11 points per contest this season. 

"Since our hiccup in the middle of the season, we are really focused defensively. Besides the Greencastle game, our starting 11 defense have only given up seven points all year, and that's pretty good. We got better and in back to back weeks, we held teams to negative rushing yards," Sorrell said. 

The success on the defensive side comes from the work South Putnam puts in during 7 on 7's and during the offseason, according to Sorrell. 

"We work really hard in 7on7's to try and get stops. We were not good on the back end in the game we lost. Heritage Christian is going to come in throwing, and we have to be really good on the back end, or it will be a long night," Sorrell said, alluding to Friday's opponent. 

The Eagles will face a test defensively Friday night when the Heritage Christian Eagles come to South Putnam. Heritage Christian is 5-2 on the year and enters fresh off a 29-15 setback against Lapel. 
Sorrell said Heritage Christian reminds him a lot of his own squad. 

"They are a really good team that is balanced. They've got a 1,000 yard rusher and a 1,500 yard passer and a lot of weapons. Last year, we went over there and smacked them in the mouth, so they'll be hungry to return the favor. As long as we do what we are supposed to do, stop the run, and force them to throw, we will be okay," Sorrell said. 

Last week, Sorrell's team went on the road and knocked off Brown County, 66-0. The last two weeks, the Eagles have surpassed the 60-point mark, as they beat West Vigo 63-0 and then Brown County. 

"We were really balanced with a lot of different guys. That's what we look for, spread it out and run the football. It is nice to see a balanced attack from our varsity and JV guys," Sorrell said. 

Perhaps, what makes it even sweeter is the fact South Putnam has done it while batting the injury bug. 

"We had nine guys out, three of which were starters versus Brown County. Guys have gotten better. We get some guys back this week," Sorrell said. 

After this week, South Putnam travels to Cascade to close out the regular season and then will wait to see who they play in the Sectional 47, which features top ranked and defending Class A state champ Lutheran. 

"We have a good team that compares to Lutheran this week, but Lutheran is in a league of it's own. This will be one of the best games in the state. They are really good, and we have to be ready to play, come out and do what we are supposed to do. We've got to be ready to go. We need this and we need a game where all three phases play well," Sorrell said. 

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