The way Bob Gaddis sees it, after missing most of the spring and early summer because of COVID-19, his Columbus East football team is at a good point heading into the first week of the regular season.
That’s because the Olympians have 32 seniors and plenty of key returners on both sides of the ball.
"That’s really helped with working through all the situations we’ve had to work with," Gaddis said. "It’s been nice that we have a lot of players back. If it would have been last year, where we had a lot of new players, it would have been more difficult."
Senior Malachi Parks, who played a little bit of everywhere last season, steps in at quarterback. Parks was a wide receiver and defensive back who took over the quarterback duties when two-year starter Cole Gilley was injured in Week 8. Gilley returned for the sectional opener against Center Grove, but had to leave in the first quarter, and Parks finished the game.
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"He’s without a doubt our team leader," Gaddis said. "He’s done a great job leading our football team through the pandemic. When we were off and not able to see each other, he was a great leader."
Senior Mark McDonald returns for his third year as the starting running back. McDonald carried 121 times for 1,045 yards and 12 touchdowns, despite missing the final two regular-season games with an injury.
"He’s starting the season very healthy," Gaddis said. "He’s in good shape. He understands what we’re doing offensively. He’s been up with the varsity guys for four years now. He’s really a veteran, and we’re expecting a big year out of Mark. He and Malachi complement each other very well."
Junior Tryce Villereal will join McDonald when East employs two-back sets.
Senior Charles Claycamp, the only returner other than Parks to catch a pass last season, will be one receiver. Seniors Crase Bergman and Trey Neal, who played as a sophomore and missed last year with an injury; and juniors Ty Uphaus and Rocco Duffy could see action at the other receiver spot.
Senior Xander Brotzman returns at tight end and will be joined in two-tight end sets by sophomore Brady Probst or senior Grant Cooper.
The Olympians return five starters on the offensive line. Senior Matt Hutcheson moves from tackle to center, senior Hunter Nichalson returns at guard, senior Jesse Miller moves from tackle to guard and juniors Ashton Hartwell and Josh Luedeke return at tackle. Senior Max Pedjra also is competing for a spot on the line.
"It’s helped us that there’s a lot of those guys back that played a lot of football last year," Gaddis said.
Senior Trent Henry returns at nose tackle, and senior Cam Shrum, who has seen considerable action the past two years, will be the defensive tackle. Sophomore Chase Harrison moves from middle linebacker to end and will be joined by junior Jaden Durnil. Seniors Luis Cruz and Elias VanCuren, Probst and Brotzman, senior Braden McIntosh and sophomores Landon Jarvis and Jamall Starks also could see action on the defensive line.
"That’s probably where we have the least amount of experience, so we have a lot of guys getting reps right now," Gaddis said.
Senior Kai Stidham moves from outside linebacker to the middle. Senior T.J. Barkhimer started at outside linebacker as a sophomore and early last season before being injured in Week 3. Senior Crase Bergman moves from cornerback to the outside linebacker spot. Senior Devin Cox, who played a lot last season, also could see action.
Senior Parker Harrison, who led the team with 72 tackles, is moving from linebacker to strong safety, and senior Elliott Koopman returns at free safety. Senior Tyler Thompson, Neal and senior Tyrell Bowers will play corner.
"A lot of those guys have played a lot of football for us over the years," Gaddis said. "It’s really helped with installing things. That’s been really good. We have moved a few guys around, and they’ve adapted to that really well."
Sophomore Nathaniel Hedrick returns as the place-kicker, and Parks, who did some punting, will continue that role. VanCuren is the long snapper.
"I think our kids have adjusted very well to the differences of what we’re doing," Gaddis said. "We came into the regular season practice a little bit behind where we normally are in the year because of the lack of the summer. We’ve been playing catch-up, but I think our kids are doing well with it. Overall, I think we’re making daily progress."
East, which went 7-3 last season, opens the season with three non-conference games before getting into the Hoosier Hills Conference schedule, where they went undefeated for the 14th consecutive year.
"All three of those (non-conference) teams — Whiteland, (Columbus) North and Elkhart — are quality programs," Gaddis said. "We’re going to have to be ready to go, and I think that’s going to help us for our conference season and the tournament."
The opener is at home Friday night against Whiteland.
"It’s going to be interesting," Gaddis said. "Everybody is taking it one game at a time. We’re doing everything we can to keep the season alive, and our kids are doing a good job with that."
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The 2020 Columbus East football schedule:
Friday;Whiteland;7 p.m.
Aug. 28;at Columbus North;7 p.m.
Sept. 4;Elkhart;8 p.m.
Sept. 11;at Jeffersonville;7 p.m.
Sept. 18;New Albany;7 p.m.
Sept. 25;at Floyd Central;7 p.m.
Oct. 2;Bedford North Lawrence;7 p.m.
Oct. 9;Seymour;7 p.m.
Oct. 16;at Madison;7 p.m.
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