By ERIC FORTUNE

sports@vindy.com

CHAMPION

In Nick Wagner’s first season at Champion, the Golden Flashes got off to their first 2-0 start in seven years and at one point were 4-2 before losing their final four games.

“From where we ended in October without a win and where we are now, we’ve had a great offseason,” Wagner said. “The kids really bought into the program. Our numbers are up this year, 44 to 45 which is up from 32 last year.

“That’s big for us. We’ve hit on the idea of getting closer as a team. When things start going bad like they did in October losing four games in a row, you have to stay together. Last year, like any team, it can start to fall apart.”

Offense

The Golden Flashes will have to replace quarterback Brandon Allen who passed for 1,369 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2016. Receiver Noah Bayus also graduated.

Nick Stahlman will take over under center.

“He is going to be our guy,” Wagner said. “He’s really grown a lot. He’s taking control as a sophomore. He’s really taken a huge leap for us.”

Stahlman will have his brother Nate in the backfield along with Carter Mast and Kenny Postlethwait.

Last year Champion employed an up-tempo offense to enhance the ability of Allen. Wagner feels the Golden Flashes will be more of a ball-control team this season.

“Our offense and defense could be different every year based on who we have,” Wagner said. “Having the experience we had last year, we went more no-huddle and up-tempo. We’re probably going to slow it down a little bit this year and control the ball a little bit more. With some of the inexperience at some of the positions, we want to allow them to regroup, reset and help each other out.”

Defense

Griffin Howell returns to anchor the defense. He was a second-team selection on the All-American Conference Blue Tier team after making 114 tackles.

“He’s the anchor of our defense,” Wagner said. “We’re happy to have him back and ready to go. We’re going to limit him to just defense. We want to focus on him just being the leader of our defense.”

Champion has 18 freshmen on the roster and Wagner feels five or six could start.

“It’s one of things where it’s a great problem to have,” he said. “We have youth that can step in and play right now.”

Wagner believes the defense is going to be Champion’s strength.

“They are a feisty group that is going to get after the ball,” he said.

Special Teams

The Golden Flashes have three kids from the soccer team coming out to kick. Andrew Russell, Jared Day and Noah Worley are competing for those jobs.

“The nice thing is having these freshman that can come in and play,” Wagner said. “It’s going to alleviate some of our upperclassmen having to play special teams. It’ll keep them fresh.”

Outlook

Champion will be put to the test right from the get go in Week 1 when the Golden Flashes host Warren JFK, the defending Division VII state champion. The matchup will provide a good barometer of where the Golden Flashes stand.

“It’s one of those deals where Champion has kind of been one of those bottom feeders,” Wagner said. “Things are changing. The tide is definitely changing over here. Enthusiasm is much higher this year. I’d like to say we’re going to go out and win the conference. Is it realistic? I don’t know. It just depends on how we progress each week.”