With the Class A Sectional 47 football tournament beginning tonight, South Putnam coach Chuck Sorrell knows what awaits his team.
Should the Eagles get past North Central (Farmersburg) tonight, South Putnam will take on two time defending Class A state champion Lutheran, who drew the bye. The Saints sent South Putnam packing last season, 42-0, on its way to Lucas Oil Stadium. In addition to last season, Lutheran has ended South Putnam's seasons in 2018 and 2014, but the Eagles defeated the Saints in the 2013 sectional tournament, 42-28.
However, before thinking about the Saints and their quarterback Jackson Willis, Sorrell's team must contend with a North Central (Farmersburg) squad that finished the regular season 2-7. The Thunderbirds enter having lost their last two, including a 43-6 setback against Eastern Greene in the regular season finale.
"North Central gives us the same issues as Cascade. They want to slow the game down with long drives. We must tackle on first and second downs and create third and longs to get the ball back to our offense. Offensively, we must win the man coverage routes and block all their blitzing so we can run the ball," Sorrell said.
As for the Eagles, they enter 8-1, having knocked off Cascade in the regular season finale in a contest that saw South Putnam only have the ball for seven plays in the first half.
"Cascade had a great game plan to keep the ball out of our offense's hands. We were not effective at all," Sorrell said.
He said while the Eagles fell short of its goal of winning a conference title, it was still a great season, ending 8-1.
"It's still a really good year," he said.
With fall break being this week, South Putnam practiced its normal two hours and have had a good week, according to Sorrell.
"The kids are excited and have had a really good week so far of preparation. It is nice that we can possibly play two home games," Sorrell said.