Roncalli’s reputation for producing defense-shredding running backs dates back nearly 50 years and includes any number of players.
Baron Huebler feels honored to be carrying the football and carrying on a tradition.
“Oh, my gosh. It means the world to me,” said Huebler, a 5-foot-8, 185-pound senior who has rushed for 3,900 yards in his three-year varsity career, 2,172 of those compiled this season for a program in search of its 10th state championship.
“Back then, there were some bad dudes at running back here. I just feel fortunate to be up there.”
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Huebler might not possess the brute strength of the late Joe Gillum (1983-85), the durability of Sean Schembra (1995-97) or the open-field speed of Stan Lawrie (1987-89).
However, the manner in which Huebler instinctively waits for and eventually darts through gaps puts him in his own unique category.
There is a specific pause for cause in Huebler’s game.
“I think Baron runs the zone really well because he’s patient, and he’s ready to get in there,” said first-year Roncalli coach John Rodenberg, whose club has rushed for a very Roncalli-like 3,177 yards and 53 touchdowns this season. “He’s not going to hit that hole until he finds the right green space, and then he’ll pop it.”
Huebler started the season with a 266-yard performance in a 36-6 defeat of Franklin Central, and he most recently churned out a career-high 301 yards and five touchdowns in the 42-14 semistate victory over Mooresville. In between, Huebler exceeded 100 yards rushing in every outing with the exception of one — the Class 4A sectional opener against Crispus Attucks, when he only carried the ball eight times in a lopsided win.
Roncalli does a nice getting Huebler into open space as a receiver out of the backfield as well; he’s caught 14 passes for 106 yards and two scores this season.
Of course, like any good back, Huebler is quick to point to the hard work put in week in and week out by the offensive line in front of him. Sophomore tackle Luke Skartvedt and junior guard Grant Ray pave running avenues along the left side with junior Sam Secrest, the starting center.
Senior Drew Clouse and junior Justin Lewis share right guard responsibilities, with sophomore Trevor Lauck entrenched at right tackle.
“If you have a good offensive line,” Huebler said, “it literally opens up everything.”
Huebler is third all-time in career rushing yards at Roncalli. He needs 134 yards in the 4A state championship game against Hobart to leapfrog Schembra and move into the second spot. With only one game remaining in Huebler’s career, Gillum’s hard-charging, between-the-tackles career total of 4,275 yards is virtually unattainable.
Named in February as the ninth head football coach in Roncalli history, Rodenberg relied on film from the 2019 season to see what kind of back he had in Huebler.
The senior proved even more impressive in person once preseason practices began.
“You could tell when he got the ball and how he runs the zone,” Rodenberg said. “Baron really has great vision, and I think the zone play is a very difficult play. To have a running back who can be patient enough to keep his shoulders square, read the hole and then kick out or kick in, is special.
“It’s just his durability and his toughness in practice. He’s got a really good motor and knows how to go full speed during practice. He knows how to go full speed when you’re going half speed.”
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State finals
At Lucas Oil Stadium
Class 6A
Westfield (12-1) vs. Center Grove (13-0), 7 p.m.
Class 4A
Hobart (11-2) vs. Roncalli (12-1), 3 p.m.
Tickets: $15; check with Center Grove or Roncalli athletic departments about availability
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