‘Jasper football always competes’: Wildcats embrace winning tradition entering new season
JASPER, Ind. – There is a motto within the locker room at Jerry Brewer Alumni Stadium.
"Jasper football always competes." It doesn’t matter the opponent or who is available to play. You best believe the Wildcats will give you their best shot. History backs it up.
Specifically, how the team responded last season should bode well for this fall.
Following a campaign with numerous injuries yet still a winning record, Jasper comes into the 2023 season with a repurposed mentality. The Wildcats are here to win. They’re here to compete.
“They kept battling,” said Jasper coach Tony Lewis. “Every year, we talk about being the more physical team and better conditioned. Do our best as a program to wear the other team down.”
The importance of a 6-4 record last year shouldn’t be understated. Jasper hasn’t produced a losing mark since 1989. The next best such streak within the Southern Indiana Athletic Conference dates back to 2008 with Mater Dei. But the possibility was increasing last fall with three losses in a four-game stretch. Jasper responded with a strong finish before a last-minute defeat in the sectional semifinal.
The silver lining? Many underclassmen were forced to play. The Wildcats’ future outlook improved because of it. Max Bueltel went 4-1 under center as a freshman and looked promising with 222 yards on 17 of 31 passing for three touchdowns. Eliot Smith and Ross Dawkins are now options in the backfield along with senior Carter Holsworth (698 yards, six TDs).
Lewis believes in relying on experience but more so from the upperclassmen. It’s why the program continues to succeed and compete year after year.
“We always feel that our older kids that have been in the battles that’s who we really count on," said Lewis. "The fewer younger guys we have to play the better we’ll be."
The Wildcats’ strength this season shouldn’t be a surprise. They return four starting offensive linemen plus senior tight end Will Wallace. There are also two returning defensive linemen from the 3-3-5 base defense, plus depth on both sides.
That projects well for a team that relies on winning the line of scrimmage. The option offense averaged 240 rushing yards per game last fall. If the Wildcats control the game with first downs, they usually win.
“The offensive line is where it starts,” said Wallace. “We have to get a push. It will take a lot of discipline and we’ll have to be on time with everything. It’s all about competing. The SIAC is tough. We have to come ready to play.”
What could separate Jasper from the pack could be a “fast, strong” defense. A pair of All-SIAC playmakers have graduated – Bralen Bair and Kaleb Senninger – but there’s plenty of experience at each level.
The Wildcats allowed 19.8 points per game last fall, slightly higher than typical. This program has given up just 15.5 per game since joining the SIAC in 2020. The expectation is another physical unit that looks to exert their will late in the game.
But the one issue looming over the program? No postseason victories since 2019. A sectional title drought reaching a decade. This group should be a contender once again.
“It means a lot to wear a Jasper uniform,” said senior Tyler Atkins. “We had a lot of seniors injured (last year), but it allowed underclassmen to get varsity playing time. Staying healthy will always help and trusting our coaches.”
Jasper Wildcats
Last Year: 6-4 (6-3 Southern Indiana Athletic Conference)
Head coach: Tony Lewis, 28-12 in 5th year at school, 159-78 in 22nd year overall
Key Players to Watch
Carter Holsworth (RB/LB, Sr.), Tyler Atkins (DB/WR, Sr.), Griffin Hile (OL/DL, Sr.), Max Bueltel (QB, So.), Will Wallace (TE/DL, Sr.), Mitchel Leinenbach (WR/DB, Sr.), Landon Fleck (RB/DB, Sr.)
The Wildcats’ three biggest games
Aug. 18 at Memorial: Always an important game, not just in the SIAC, but for the Wildcats to start the year. Jasper has won three straight regular-season meetings, but Memorial won 21-18 in the sectional.
Sept. 1 vs Reitz: The ultimate litmus test. The Panthers won the SIAC by three full games in 2022 and return a lot of talent. The Wildcats get them at home this time.
Sept. 29 vs Castle: This game turned the tide of Jasper’s outlook last year (43-42 OT victory). The Knights should offer another tough battle close to the postseason. The Wildcats have won two straight in the series.
“Memorial always gives us a good gauge of where we are early in the season,” said Lewis. “Last year, Harrison came up and beat us. A perfect example of you can’t take any weeks off in the SIAC. We feel like we’ll compete with everybody on our schedule.”
Next: Harrison
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA football: Jasper aims to compete for SIAC title
