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Today’s varsity football players weren’t always as big as they are now; they had to get their start somewhere

FIELD GROWTH: The team practices while set in their offensive formation, with a four wide receiver, two tailback set. KAITLYN LAMPE / PHOTO

By Faith Mwalwa
<fmwalwa@hilite.org>

MORGAN NEWTON: Senior Morgan Newton’s interest in football started with his dad, vice principal John Newton, who coached the sport. He began at an early age, in the third grade with Pike Youth League.

“He always just stood out. He was an outstanding player, in the literal sense. In fact, in elementary and middle school, he played both football and travel soccer, which most players (could) not do,” John said.

Morgan said that he has played several positions on the team, from a receiver to a lineman to his current role as quarterback.

As a freshman, playing for Pike High School, Morgan weighed about 185-pounds and was 6 foot, one inch.
Morgan, now a six foot, four inch, 285-pound player, said he will continue on to play football in college and verbally committed to University of Kentucky.

“(I will continue because) I really enjoy it. It’s great to play. I (may even go pro) if that works out,” he said.

KURT FREYTAG: Senior Kurt Freytag said that his parents signed him up for football because he showed an

“I was pretty good for a freshman. I was on the scout as a freshman, and was (promoted) to varsity at the end of that season,” he said.

Scott Dehnke, strong safety and senior, said that he first got to know Freytag in the eighth grade.

“He knocked me out once during a Carmel versus Clay (basketball) game. That’s how I got to know him and became friends with him,” he said. “He’s just very physical.”

Currently, Freytag is about six foot, two inches and 230-pounds and is a fullback on the team. Freytag said that he is interested in pursuing collegiate football. He has had several offers but said he is not leaning toward any of them, and is keeping an open mind to all of them. According to ESPN.com, he has offers from Ball State, Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan.

BROOKS MICHEL: Senior Brooks Michel is hard to miss. This burly left tackle stands at six foot, seven inches and 285-pounds. His accomplishments on the field have led to recognition among students and college football recruiters.

At an early age, Michel liked the Colts, and the IU football team, so he joined Carmel Dad’s Club football in the third grade; he has played ever since. Aware that he needed skill development, Michel sought the improvement he needed. When asked if playing football has provided an opportunity for growth, he said, “It has. For me, football has taught me camaraderie, (as well as) responsibility on and off the field.”

“I love the game. This is the opportunity for me to continue,” he said. Michel said that the State championship last year was his fondest memory and recalls the small things that got him where he is today.

“In sixth grade, I made the A-team with Carmel Pups. In seventh grade (as a tight end) I caught the touchdown pass,” he said. Now, he has committed to play football as a Minnesota Golden Gopher.

TAYLOR WAGNER: Senior Taylor Wagner, unlike these other players, did not start at an early age. Before getting into the sport, he said that travel soccer took up most of his athletic life, and he had no time to join football, although he was interested in doing so.

Center and senior Joey Barnes was the one to push Wagner to play; Wagner credits Barnes as having taught him most of what he knew about how to play before actually joining, and teaching him about the sport of football itself.

“Well, Joey played and I didn’t,” Wagner said. “We often played together (unofficially).”

Since then, Wagner has played numerous positions: fullback, safety, quarterback and running back, before settling into his current position as wide receiver.

“Last year, (Wagner) made the most of an opportunity to get play more as a starter. We lost some wide receivers and (Wagner) stepped in. He’s one of the fastest players on the team and he’s a difference-maker,” Toby Steele, first-year varsity coach and social studies teacher, said.

Wagner is now five foot, eight inches tall and 165 pounds. Wagner said he is planning to continue playing football in college and is looking at various colleges.

JOE RIPPE: Joe Rippe began with Carmel Dad’s Club in the 3rd grade. He, like his teammates, where interested in the sport from an early and decided to join.

Rippe, as a freshman, was about 6 foot, one inch and weighed some 165 pounds. He said that he was a bit skinny and needed improvement, and believes that he has improved greatly since then.

According to ESPN.com’s college football recruiting site, “Rippe is an extremely solid defensive player at the safety position. He has great size and towers over the secondary. Even though he ha s limited speed, he is one of the most fundamental safeties in the 2009 class.”

Like Freytag and several more of his teammates, Rippe has several offers and that he is looking into, but is open to all his choices.

Currently, the safety and senior is 6 foot, 2 inches and weighs approximately 200 pounds.

NOTE: Joe Rippe’s story is an additional story to this one because it is exclusively online

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