Caleb Murphy is entering his second season as Edinburgh’s starting quarterback.
Daily Journal file photo
Tyler DeSpain almost certainly had more talent at his disposal last fall, but the Edinburgh coach sounds much happier now.
That might be a byproduct of his players being happier.
“You don’t have a (Caleb) Dewey or a Riley (Palmeter) or anything like that, but we have a solid group of kids that truly love football,” DeSpain said. “It’s been different, I will say that, because the kids that want to be there are there and they’re having a great time with it.”
The Lancers graduated 14 seniors after a 4-5 campaign in 2022, or exactly half of the roster. That will almost certainly lead to lowered expectations from the outside, but DeSpain is feeling good about the group he brings back.
And perhaps he should. Edinburgh returns a good bit of experience in key places — most notably at quarterback, where junior Caleb Murphy comes in a bit more seasoned after an up-and-down sophomore year.
The 5-foot-9 signal-caller appeared to be in over his head at times last fall, but a year of experience, and a new offense, should put him in a better position to succeed.
“The kid’s a great kid and he’s a smart kid. His height is working against him, and he’s just not fully developed yet,” DeSpain said. “We’re going to try to do a couple of different things with him — a lot of (run-pass options), a lot of quick stuff … to try to keep him on his feet, but I think Caleb’s going to have a good year this year.”
Establishing a strong ground game would help to keep opposing defenses at bay, and the Lancers have what looks like a capable group of backs in juniors Jackson Hartwell, Connor Ramey and Irving Luis-Orosco. If those three can provide steady production, it would take some of the heat off of Murphy and allow the offense to thrive.
With 24 players on the roster, Edinburgh doesn’t have a lot of depth, but DeSpain believes he has “depth where it’s needed.” He’s confident in the 11 guys he’ll trot out to start on both sides of the ball — and he’s particularly optimistic because with the exception of receiver/defensive back Gabe Bennett, the lone senior on the roster, every starter will be back for another year after this one
But while all signs point toward a more successful 2024, DeSpain isn’t ready to write off 2023 just yet.
“People just assume that it’s going to be a down year for us,” he said. “I think we are going to surprise quite a few people.”
The early schedule offers some opportunities to generate confidence. The season opener against Tindley has been a coin flip in recent years, with Edinburgh taking the last two meetings. Cloverdale, South Decatur and Switzerland County are also very winnable games. If the Lancers can avenge last year’s surprising 22-7 loss to new county rival Greenwood Christian, a 5-0 start is not impossible.
After the first five weeks, the opposition toughens up considerably with a long road trip to North Daviess in Week 6 and perhaps the two toughest foes on the schedule (North Decatur and Park Tudor) back-loaded into Weeks 8 and 9.
Several of the players who fought those battles last season — when the Lancers started 4-0 before closing with five straight losses — are gone. DeSpain seems just fine, however, playing the cards that remain in his hand.
“I think we have the kids to fill that void,” he said.
SCOUTING THE LANCERS
Coach: Tyler DeSpain
Last season: 4-5, lost to Knightstown in Class A sectional opener
Key returnees: WR/DB Gabe Bennett, senior; OL/DL Jayden Childers, OL/DL Dakota Graw, WR/LB Jackson Hartwell, WR/DB Irving Luis-Orosco, QB/DB Caleb Murphy and RB/DB Connor Ramey, juniors; OL/DL Brayden Bailey, TE/LB Eli Bryant, sophomores
Top newcomers: OL/DL Milas Burkman, junior; OL/DL Caiden Miller, freshman
Outlook: Edinburgh graduated about half of last year’s team but has plenty of reason for optimism, thanks largely to a strong junior class that brings back plenty of experience. Hartwell, Ramey and Luis-Orosco give DeSpain three solid backfield options behind Murphy, who should settle in as a second-year starter under center.
The Lancers get a little size boost in the trenches from Burkman, a longtime tennis player who’s pulling double duty for the first time, and Miller. Both check in above 220 pounds, instantly making them two of the heaviest players on the roster. Bennett, who’s recovered from an ACL tear in last year’s opener, should also provide a boost.
DeSpain and his crew are hoping to sneak up on any opponents that might be dismissive because of the heavy roster turnover. The coach believes he’s got a team capable of playing .500 ball, and the early schedule could help the Lancers cover a decent amount of the ground to get there. The Week 4 rematch with Greenwood Christian might end up being the tipping point game that determines what the final record will look like — but for now, DeSpain is talking strictly in fluent coachspeak.
“We’re looking at Tindley,” he said.
2023 SCHEDULE
Date;Opponent;Time
Friday;Tindley;7 p.m.
Aug. 25;at Cloverdale;7 p.m.
Sept. 1;at South Decatur;7 p.m.
Sept. 8;Greenwood Christian;7 p.m.
Sept. 15;at North Daviess;7:30 p.m.
Sept. 22;Switzerland County;7 p.m.
Sept. 29;TBD
Oct. 6;at North Decatur;7 p.m.
Oct. 13;Park Tudor;7 p.m.
