FALL SPORTS PREVIEW: Class 4A Football

With the loss of Mr. Football Paul McIntosh and the entire coaching staff, Evansville Reitz should be hard pressed to hold on to its state championship this season. That will benefit a handful of Central Indiana teams this fall who are looking to challenge for the title. First on the list? Cathedral. The Irish have reloaded under new head coach Rick Streiff since the school's last title run in 2006. The Irish advanced to semistate before falling to eventual champ Reitz in a 35-34 thriller. For Cathedral, it all begins on the offensive line and senior Kyle Koehne. At 6-foot-6, Koehne has the strength to push through to the secondary. The defense will be tough again, anchored by senior linebacker Kakpindi Jamiru. Another regional and semistate threat is Whiteland. The Warriors and head coach Darrin Fisher return quarterback Bryan Webb, running backs Curtis Harris, Tyler Rosberg and Matt Bryne, along with standout linebacker Mitch Meador, a Cincinnati recruit. Offensive tackle Jordan Sharp also returns. Watch out for Westfield. Bo Belden's Shamrocks had a breakout 2007 season, highlighted by a 9-4 record and a sectional title. Senior linebacker Daniel Warfel returns, as does offensive linemen Patrick Plumer and Adam Cross. Plainfield, despite the loss of quarterback Nathan Ellis and tight end Nelson Hurst, should also challenge for a sectional title as James Hurst returns to anchor the offensive line, while Tyler Foster returns at middle linebacker. Roncalli is on the mend after a tough 2007 season that saw the Rebels finish 3-7. Expect big things this year from a more experienced team that could challenge Cathedral in sectional play. Watch out for running backs Luke Scifres, Joe Durm, Dan Allen, Jake Kovalsky and Jimmie Webb. Elsewhere, can Shelbyville have a repeat of its magnificent 2007 campaign? The Golden Bears went 11-0 before falling to eventual Sectional 15 champion Columbus East, but lost some key players to graduation. 4A PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR THIS SEASON KYLE KOEHNE (Cathedral) - 6-foot-6 and 300 lbs., Koehne is a force on the field, using his quickness and explosive power to get into the secondary and punish linebackers. Koehne benches an astronomical 310 pounds and should help the Irish and new coach Rick Streiff return to prominence. KAKPINDI JAMIRU (Cathedral) - One of the state's best linebackers. TYLER KENNEDY (Pendleton Heights) - Kennedy missed all but five games last season due to an injury. But through the first four games of 2007, he was one of th state's best receivers with 33 catches for 446 yards and four touchdowns. JAMES HURST (Plainfield) - At 6-5 and 271 lbs., Hurst will be a force on the offensive line (left tackle) for the Quakers this season. Just a junior, Hurst was All-County and All-Conference last season and has drawn interest from Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Purdue and Mississippi State (where older brother Nelson is a tight end. TYLER FOSTER (Plainfield) - Middle linebacker is anchor of Quakers defense. MITCH MEADOR (Whiteland) - At 6-3 at 228 lbs., Meador is a force to be reckoned with in the linebacker corps. As a junior, Meador had 121 tackles and five sacks while being named All-State, All-County and All-Mid-State Conference. DAVID BROWN (Shelbyville) - Senior running back returns to the Golden Bears. CURTIS HARRIS (Whiteland) - A running back with speed and size, Harris will carry a majority of the Warriors workload this fall. JORDAN SHARP (Whiteland) - DOMINQUE CORDER (Manual) DARIUS SAWYER (Manual) - Honorable Mention AP All-State in 2007. BRAD VOLTZ (Mt. Vernon) - 6-3 weak-side linebacker is considering Indiana and Purdue.