Panthers look to take care of unfinished business

The 2019 season was one that Eastbrook Head Coach Jeff Adamson anticipated would be focused on rebuilding. 

However, the Panthers proved, once again, that they were one of the top teams in Class 2A, collecting their third semi-state championship in four years and advancing to the Class 2A championship game.

The Panthers’ turnaround can be attributed to their influx of young talent. Their sophomore class, comprised of players like Isaiah Dalton, Jason Hale, Braxton Bowser, and countless others, played well above expectations, becoming key cogs in the Eastbrook machine. 

Now, a year older, stronger, and more experienced, the Panthers look primed for another stout campaign in 2020. 

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be felt in every facet of life, and football is no exception. The Panthers, who normally take in a plethora of scrimmages and camps throughout the summer, were barred from these pre-season opportunities due to the restrictions set by the state of Indiana. 

However, the Panthers were undeterred from putting in the crucial offseason work. Coaches utilized Zoom meetings to lead drills and relay skill sets. Primarily though, the players took it upon themselves to work out together and keep each other accountable. 

Despite these efforts, the team’s first practice in July was expectantly imperfect. Some players were noticeably lagging physically due to the long layoff, and the team as a whole was lagging in terms of X’s and O’s due to their inability to play this summer.

However, Adamson was happy that he, his coaching staff, and his players could get back together and prepare for another football season after what has been a tumultuous year. 

“I hope we can keep some of that momentum,” Adamson said. “I feel like we haven’t been this far behind in a football season, at this point, in several years. Usually by this time we’ve had half a dozen scrimmages, a couple of seven-on-sevens, and I could tell you my starting lineup, for sure. 

“But it is so good to be out there and be around the guys and have something to do every day.”

When the team reconvened, Conditioning was the first focus in order for the team to get back into game shape. Next, the team reestablished a lifting routine. Now, with practices resuming, the Panthers are diligently working on installing their offensive and defensive gameplans.

“We are getting very close to being in the kind of shape you need to be in to play a game and play fourth quarters well,” Adamson said.

Heading into the 2020 season, the Panthers have several holes to fill, many at the game’s key positions: like quarterback, running back, and offensive line. Luckily, the Panthers have several guys waiting in the pipeline for their opportunity. 

With the departure of Dylan Bragg, the Panthers are currently working three players under center – Alden Miller, Western transfer Jett Engle, and Brody Brodkorb – all of whom bring unique skill sets to the table. 

Miller, a senior, is the most experienced. Engle, whose father was a star at Madison-Grant, possesses a ton of upside, and has been impressive in summer and offseason workouts. 

“I’m really impressed with how quickly he is picking things up,” Adamson said. “Our offense is a lot different than what he is used too. The more comfortable he gets with things, the better he looks.” 

Brodkorb, according to Adamson, is a physically different player from a season ago, having put on several pounds of muscle and reporting to camp in great shape. 

At this time, a starter has not been designated yet. With most Eastbrook players playing on both sides of the ball, Adamson and his coaching staff are still evaluating where each player will be most effective. 

Eastbrook graduated their top two runners in Wyatt Stephenson (1312 yards, 23 touchdowns) and Zeke Binkerd (949 yards, 11 touchdowns), but they are still loaded at the position. Dalton (890 yards, 12 touchdowns) provides speed and quickness, while Hale and Justin Starr will each garner larger roles in Eastbrook’s offense at the fullback position. 

Ryan Slater, last year’s starting center, will anchor the offensive line at both the guard and center positions, while Austin Hollars and Issac Rans will move into starting roles with the departure of players like Klayton Kitts, Gabe Sanchez, and Cobee Rice. 

Hale, Bowser, and Collins will lead an exciting group of linebackers, one that took the Eastbrook defense to new heights as the 2019 season progressed, while Dalton, who led the Panthers with five interceptions and three fumble recoveries, will serve as the team’s top defensive back. 

“I don’t think it can be emphasized too much,” Adamson said. “They create a neat team chemistry. They are just fun to be around. They work hard. They just set the tone for what the expectations are. That class is just really full of not just good players, but high character guys that just work hard.” 

Obviously, the Panthers, and the rest of the Grant County football teams, are heading into a season full of uncertainty. But then again, no matter what happens, the Panthers plan to make the most of their season, which begins on August 21, at home, against Marion. 

“We don’t know what’s going to happen,” Adamson said. “We don’t know how many people are going to be allowed to come watch games. The season may be stopped after two weeks. We can at least control what we do right now. We can control what we do every moment in practice. We are going to enjoy every single minute of it.”

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