Columbus North’s Tyler Blythe runs the ball against Columbus East at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Aug. 26, 2022.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
In losing workhorse running back Dyllan Redmon to graduation, Columbus North had a huge hole to fill.
So not long after the 2021 season ended, former Bull Dog football coach Tim Bless approached Tyler Blythe, a two-year starter at slot receiver, about taking over the role as North’s featured running back. Blythe was up for the challenge.
“I was all for it,” Blythe said. “Coach B mentioned that I should be ready to carry about 20 times a game just because he said me being an athlete, he wants the ball in my hands to make plays. I knew that if I had to go to running back to help our team win some games, then I would completely be down for that.”
Bless resigned in May, and when Logan Haston took over as head coach the following month, he realized how big of an asset Blythe could be as a runner.
“Tyler has been a receiver most of his career, but we felt like we had to get our best players the ball as much as we could,” Haston said. “Obviously, he needed some work at it, but he took it to heart and figured out how to read his blocks and be patient. He’s really come a long way in such a short amount of time. It’s been really impressive to watch.”
Blythe’s progress has shown in his output. After carrying 15 times for 61 yards in a season-opening loss at Decatur Central, the senior captain ran 24 times for 129 yards and two touchdowns Friday in a 39-6 victory against Columbus East.
“I love it right now,” Blythe said. “It’s a lot more action, obviously, than slot receiver, and that’s kind of what I like. So I’m flowing with it and seeing how much better I can do as the season goes along.”
Columbus North’s Tyler Blythe scores a touchdown against Columbus East at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Aug. 26, 2022.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Also Friday, Blythe also caught two passes for 24 yards and turned a flanker screen into a 49-yard touchdown pass to Cooper Horn.
“We’ve had a really good start,” Blythe said. “A lot of people had basically no expectations for us with a new coach and losing a lot of seniors. We’ve kind of overcome those expectations. (Quarterback) Zac Horn is starting to get in the groove of things and figuring out the offense better. O-line, they struggled a bit in the Decatur Central game, but they’re starting to figure out combos and such, and our receiving corps has done really well the past few years, so I wasn’t really worried about that.”
Blythe also hasn’t been worried about a lack of size. At 5-foot-11, he weighs about 175, which is up 15 pounds from last year.
“That was something he struggled with early on,” Haston said. “Because he’s a little guy, he was trying to get outside and use his speed. Sometimes, two yards is a good play, and he’s bought into that. He’s one of the toughest guys mentally and physically on our team.”
Columbus North’s Tyler Blythe prepares to toss the ball to an official against Columbus East at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Aug. 26, 2022.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
That became evident to his teammates and to Haston when Blythe began this season playing with a fracture in his hand. Blythe sustained the injury when he was hit by a pitch playing baseball this summer.
“Our trainers have been helping me out a lot with the exercises I can do to kind of calm down the swelling,” Blythe said. “My wrist is still a little weak right now, but it will come.”
“He’s a really tough kid, and he’s kind of playing through it,” Haston added. “He knows his team needs him. He wants to be out there on the field every play.”
Blythe also has wanted to continue playing all of his sports through high school. He is a three-sport athlete, having also played varsity in both basketball and baseball last year.
“To be honest, I just love being active, and I love that challenge of wanting to be good at the most things that I do,” Blythe said. “So whenever a season comes up, I’ve always had that thing where I can flip a switch, and then I can channel those skills to that sport.”
Blythe said he likes football and maybe baseball the best and is hoping to land a college scholarship for football.
Haston has been impressed with Blythe’s leadership through the summer and early part of the regular season.
“We let our players vote on team captains, and he and (two-way lineman) Savion Miles were far and away the leaders in votes,” Haston said. “His leadership stands out. He’s going to lead by example, and he’s also OK with calling guys out when they need it. He’s one of the guys that rallies the troops.”
North opens its Conference Indiana schedule Friday at Southport. Blythe has helped the Bull Dogs to conference titles the past two years.
“We’re looking to get a three-peat,” Blythe said.
