Columbus North running back Sam Mormino, left, takes a handoff from quarterback Asher Ratliff during the first official football practice of the season at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., Monday, July 31, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
This year’s Columbus North football team will be the youngest squad the Bull Dogs have had in many years.
With only four senior starters and plenty of talented juniors and sophomores, the future is bright for Logan Haston’s program. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t prepared to win this season.
“We are very young,” Haston said. “We’re very junior-heavy. We’re going to be very good here soon. The future is promising, but we never want to be in the rebuilding mindset. We want to win every game now. We have some good senior leadership, and I really like our chances.”
Haston was pleased with what he saw in Friday’s scrimmage at Greenwood. When the varsity teams were on the field, the Bull Dogs scored three touchdowns to one for the Woodmen.
“It went really well for us,” Haston said. “The most important thing was treating it as a dress rehearsal and learning how to travel professionally and take the field professionally and being able to hit somebody other than ourselves.”
Sophomore Asher Ratliff threw two touchdown passes and ran for another in that scrimmage. Ratliff assumed the signal calling role this summer after senior Hudson Elwood, who he was battling with for the job, went down with a torn ACL.
“Going into the summer, it was a very open competition,” Haston said. “With Hudson getting injured, that changed the landscape of things. (Ratliff has) adapted. He’s made very good decisions with the football. He’s an extension of our coaching staff out on the field. He does things that are well beyond his years, which is impressive to see for a guy his age.”
Junior Sam Mormino saw plenty of action in a backup role at running back last season. He likely will split carries with junior Gino Prescott.
Junior Braylon Thoman emerged as Ratliff’s go-to target this summer and caught both touchdown passes in the scrimmage. He will team with juniors Jordan Briner and Owie Kibler and sophomore Morgan Knapp at the wide receiver position. Junior Elijah Smith and sophomore Jerry Likens could play the tight end spot.
The offensive line could be the strength of the North team. Junior Bryce Harriman moves from tackle to center. Sophomore tackle Drew Schiefer has Division I offers from Central Michigan and Miami (Ohio). Senior Luke Revell moves from defensive tackle to offensive tackle, and junior Miles Davis and sophomore Nehemiah Scruggs step in at guard.
“We’re going to lean on Bryce’s leadership this year,” Haston said. “Obviously, with Drew’s varsity experience as a freshman, we’re going to count on him as well.”
Junior Garrett Long returns at defensive end, where he will be joined by senior Keller DeSpain, who saw action last season. Junior Dumo Kak and senior Nick Austerman take over at defensive tackle.
Sophomore Anderson Horn steps into the middle linebacker spot. Junior Luke Russell returns at outside linebacker, and will be joined by junior Jose Ramirez.
The secondary was a sore spot for the Bull Dogs last season. Senior Tyrrice DeGraffenried; juniors Robbie Williams, Jackson Haston and Wyatt Clark and sophomore Sam Perry are battling for the four defensive back spots.
“I think we’re going to see some new life in our defense this year,” Logan Haston said. “Our defensive coordinator Luke Teague has really done a good job this offseason implementing a physical style of play. So we’re looking for some pretty strong improvements from that group.”
Senior Bryce Luttrell will assume the kicking duties. Junior Jayce Emmitt will be the punter.
Logan Haston is entering his second year at North after leading the Bull Dogs to a 5-6 record in his first season. They open Friday at home against Decatur Central.
“Last summer, we had to learn all of our offense, defense, special teams and we had to implement our team culture,” Logan Haston said. “There’s more to improve on, but our young guys are picking things up quickly, and our team culture has helped that learning curve out.
“The motto that we implemented over the summer was ‘Learn fast, play faster,’” he added. “We know that learning quickly is going to be the key this year. We did our best to load up our summer schedule. Nothing we do can replicate a Friday night, but we’ll find our where we stand.”
The 2023 Columbus North football schedule:
Friday;Decatur Central;7 p.m.
Aug. 25;at Columbus East;7 p.m.
Sept. 1;Southport;7 p.m.
Sept. 8;at Roncalli;7 p.m.
Sept. 15;Chatard;7 p.m.
Sept. 22;at Terre Haute North;7:30 p.m.
Sept. 29;Bloomington South;7 p.m.
Oct. 6;at Bloomington North;7 p.m.
Oct. 13;Terre Haute South;7:30 p.m.
