Edinburgh football: Season preview

Road games likely aren’t a big deal to Caleb Murphy, who has lived in seven different states in his nearly 18 years.

Born in Demopolis, Alabama, a town of a little more than 7,000 residents, Edinburgh’s senior quarterback also sees Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, Kansas and Ohio when peering into life’s rear-view mirror.

Murphy’s longest stay in any one place is the one he’s experiencing now. The family — including his father Scott, a pastor — moved to Edinburgh before the start of his freshman year.

This is Murphy’s third consecutive season taking snaps for the Lancers. The 5-foot-8, 165-pounder has been part of 24 games at the varsity level in some capacity, passing for 818 yards and six touchdowns last season.

He’s compiled career sums of 2,145 yards and 17 scores through the air entering Friday night’s season opener against Tindley.

“I’ve started almost 20 games,” Murphy said. “I’ve seen a lot of good, and I’ve seen a lot of bad.”

The QB sees on-field composure as one of his main assets, though he continues to strive to offer more to the team he represents.

“I would say leadership is one of my strengths. Talking to my guys and getting to know them on a personal level,” Murphy said. “If I don’t know my left tackle and who he is, what’s making him want to block for me? If I don’t know my wide receiver, what’s going to make him run the route the same way, and want to catch the ball?”

Of course, for the Lancers’ offense to have opportunities to produce, the defense must be able to get off the field quicker. Edinburgh surrendered an average of 40.9 points a game in 2023, with five opponents exceeding the 50-point mark.

Murphy, who also lined up as a linebacker as a junior, has been moved to safety.

“We have revamped our defense, switching back to a four-front,” sixth-year Edinburgh coach Tyler DeSpain said. “It has been a big focus for us. Getting back to the fundamentals.”

Murphy, who’ll work behind a veteran offensive line returning all five starters, anticipates an improved overall product this time around.

As does his coach.

“When Caleb was a sophomore, he had a ton of seniors around him,” DeSpain said. “I expect him to take that extra step of being a leader. He’s worked really hard trying to make sure he knows every route. Every block.”

The well-traveled Murphy and his teammates hit the road only three times during the regular season — Greenwood Christian (Sept. 13), Switzerland County (Sept. 27) and Park Tudor (Oct. 18).

“There’s no telling how good this team could be,” Murphy said. “It’s a genuine team. A brotherhood with players who want to play for each other.”

Edinburgh Lancers

Coach: Tyler DeSpain

Last season: 1-9 lost at North Decatur in Class A sectional opener

Who’s back?: OL/DL Tyler Branigin, TE/LB Eli Bryant, OL/DL Milas Burkman, OL/LB Jayden Childers, WB/DB Luke Fowler, OL/DL Dakota Graw, RB/LB Irving Luis-Orosco, QB/DB Caleb Murphy, SL/DB Jared Myers, OL/DL Landon Tetrick and WR/DB Cole White, seniors; OL/DL Cooper Cordray, OL/DL Brandon Crase, RB/LB Kevin Garcia and WR/DB Samson Parkhurst, juniors; OL/LB Mauricio Gonzalez, OL/DL Caiden Miller, OL/DL Mayson Myers and OL/DL Adam Prather, sophomores

New faces to watch: RB/LB Jayden Elliot, senior; OL/DL Carlos Beltran, OL/DL Daniel Crisanto and OL/DL Richard Gonzalez-Hernandez, sophomores; SL/DB Damian Ackerman, SL/DB Taiden Boknecht, OL/DL Colton Burton, RB/LB Landon Clouse, SL/DB Carter Mead, RB/LB Chase Smock, WR/DB Caleb Strahl and SL/DB Lucious Straugh, freshmen

What to expect: The numbers are up for DeSpain’s program, the 34 players being the second-most he’s had in his six seasons in charge. But with so many new faces on board, Lancer coaches and veteran players must help the newcomers along in an attempt to bounce back from a one-win season. Six of the team’s nine games are at home, including the first three, which helps.

The offensive line, led by guards Childers and Burkman, returns all five starters, and at this point is the team’s biggest strength. Edinburgh brings back nine starters on both offense and defense. Murphy returns at quarterback, where he completed 49 of 107 passes last season for 818 yards and six touchdowns. Myers will likely emerge as his top target, at least initially, after catching 19 passes for 247 yards and a pair of scores as a junior. Bryant, who was credited with 38 tackles a year ago, is back to help lead the Edinburgh defense. Others with ample experience on that side of the line of scrimmage include Myers (29 tackles), Burkman (28), Childers (24) and Fowler (22).

2024 SCHEDULE

Date;Opponent;Time

Aug. 23;Tindley;7 p.m.

Aug. 30;Cloverdale;7 p.m.

Sept. 6;South Decatur;7 p.m.

Sept. 13;at Greenwood Christian*,7 p.m.

Sept. 20;North Daviess;7 p.m.

Sept. 27;at Switzerland County;7 p.m.

Oct. 4;North Central (Farmersburg);7:30 p.m.

Oct. 11;North Decatur;7 p.m.

Oct. 18;at Park Tudor;7 p.m.

* – at Beech Grove Middle School