West Lafayette hitting stride as key offensive lineman Burgett returns
West Lafayette has found its way back onto the focused track that allowed it to win the IHSAA Class 3A Sectional and Regional titles to reach the Semistate Championship in 2022.
A key member from that squad that finished 13-1 was the blocking from 6-foot-5 senior offensive lineman Ben Burgett.
Burgett has returned after missing several games with a knee injury he suffered during the first few weeks of the regular season in August.
"My goal in mind when I got injured was get back as fast as I can and I did," Burgett said. "It's amazing.
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Coach Shane Fry saw a program that was unified and focused even as a surprise snow storm blew into West Lafayette.
"Playing in November is a huge deal, playing in a sectional championship is a huge deal and that's what we have an opportunity to do," Fry said. "You got to get through the obstacles and the regular season before that and win two games. We're here. There's 16 teams left in 3A and we have an opportunity to win a sectional."
West Lafayete (8-3) is tasked of slowing down undefeated Hanover Central (11-0) led by junior running back Caiden Verrett. Verrett at 5-foot-11 has impressive speed to the outside. Verrett's length and shiftiness in the open field makes him difficult to tackle.
Making sure West Lafayette's first team defense falls upon the offensive scout team to compete and perform.
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Leading the scout team is sophomore running back Martin Gazo. Gazo plays scout team running back, safety and has been praised by Fry for his intensity in practice.
"He did a great job this season playing JV for us and he loves to hit and loves coming down hill," Gazo said.
Gazo meanwhile has embraced his role as being the main target for hard hits and tackles during practice.
"I find it fun and it's kind of like a learning experience for me to get better in the game," Gazo said. "I know it's a big part of their game so they can get a look. And you get to be doing something, just take a big challenge on with those big varsity guys out there."
As Gazo plays the role of Verrett, West Lafayette will look to open its own run game behind junior Dawson Martin.
Martin had a consistent 4.1 yards per carry in last week's 42-7 win over Rensselaer Central. Getting Burgett back in the rotation should help those holes expand further for more yardage and take pressure off quarterback Carson Kitchel.
"It's always good to get the run game going and it's going to be huge," Martin said. "We just got to be physical on our scout teams both offense and defense. We gotta put our best out there and get a good look for Friday."
Kitchel has noticed an improvement in Martin's runs after surpassing 1,000 rushing yards for the season last Friday.
"He's running after contact and running downhill all game long," Kitchel said. "He's not stopping for one dude. He's going to get hit and keep falling forward."
The confidence for West Lafayette is riding high and will look to continue its two-game winning streak going against Hanover Central.
"You know you're playing good football when you're playing this late in the season," Kitchel said.
West Lafayette (8-3) vs. Hanover Central (11-0)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: 1-0
About Hanover Central: The Wildcats average 40.7 points per game and allows 13 points per game. ..... Hanover Central is the No. 10 ranked 3A program by MaxPreps. ...... Statistical leaders - Passing: Matt Koontz (151-216, 1,791 yards, 19 TD, 7 INT). ..... Rushing: Verrett (172 car, 1,551 yards, 28 TD), Koontz (89 car, 494 yards, 13 TD. ...... Receiving: Rocco Bartholomew (36 rec, 360 yards, 4 TD), Wally Koontz (23 rec, 308 yards, 4 TD), Jacob Strominski (18 rec, 264 yards, 4 TD) Henry Maurer (25 rec, 266 yards, 3 TD. ..... Defense: Kyron Turner (60 tackles, 8 TFL, 1 sack), Collin Foy (54 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 3 sacks), Nathan Conlon (54 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 3 sacks), Dylan Bowen (34 tackles, 4 INT) Bartholomew (38 tackles, 4 INT). ..... Kicking: Emmi Doty (52-58 PAT, 2-2 FG).
About West Lafayette: The Red Devils average 31.9 points per game and allows 15.5 points per game. ...... West Lafayette is the No. 14 ranked 3A program by MaxPreps. ...... Statistical leaders - Passing: Carson Kitchel (197-294, 2,286 yards, 26 TD, 5 INT). ..... Rushing: Dawson Martin (215 car, 1,055 yards and 13 TD). ..... Receiving: Benny Speaker (74 rec, 849 yards and 7 TD), Cooper Kitchel (27 rec, 483 yards, 7 TD), Liam Burton (28 rec, 325 yards, 4 TD), Niko Roumbakis (27 rec, 226 yards, 3 TD). ..... Defense: David Curl (112 tackles, 11 TFL, 2 sacks), Chase Taylor (98 tackles, 12 TFL, 4 sacks), Patrick Mitrione (91 tackles, 22 TFL, 5 sacks), Ian Szulkowski (75 tackles, 5 TFL), Speaker (63 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 INT), Roumbakis (29 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 INT). ..... Kicking: Roumbakis (37-45 PAT, 1-4 FG, long of 28).
Coach Fry's take: "The best teams are balanced and they can pass and run the ball. You can't focus on one because you'll get burned by the other. (Hanover Central) is clearly capable of running and passing. Their quarterback (Matt Koontz) is a three-year starter and he's good in the run game as well. Being a duel-threat like that is tough. But their running back, we have not seen a running back as talented as Caiden Verrett. He's a special player and we'll need to do everything we can to slow him down."
Ethan Hanson started working for the Journal & Courier in West Lafayette, Indiana after four years at the Record Searchlight in Redding, CA. He previously freelanced with the Los Angeles Daily News for four years. Follow him on Twitter at @EthanAHanson and ethan_a_hanson on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: West Lafayette football returns OL Ben Burgett against Hanover Central
