The Press-Dispatch

August 21, 2019

The Press-Dispatch

Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1158320

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 34 of 38

D-8 Fall Sports Preview Wednesday, August 21, 2019 The Press-Dispatch GO CHARGERS! Willis & Company, p.C. CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS & CONSULTANTS Gregory K. Willis, CPA Carla D. Willis, CPA 705 MAIN ST., PETERSBURG (812) 354-6274 FAx: (812) 354-6974 Members American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Indiana CPA Society Good Luck Chargers 104 E. Main St. Petersburg, IN 47567 • 812-354-8531 Pictured above is the 2019 Pike Central boys' tennis team. They are, (l to r): head coach Brent Beck, Quinton Sorgius, Ethan Huck and Dalton Williams. BOYS' TENNIS Even though we only have three kids, we can still wins matches. It just takes three to win anyway. I want them to play this season as hard as they have practiced this sum- mer year and I'll be happy." -Coach Brent Beck PC tennis remains optimistic despite record low numbers By Dennis Marshall Press-Dispatch Sports Editor sports@pressdispatch.net Pike Central tennis coach Brent Beck thought he'd seen it all last season when his team started the season with just four players. Well the Chargers have just three athletes out this season and it seems like the tennis gods might be having a laugh at Beck's expense. However, Beck is still confident the team can be successful and the coach knows a thing or two about success. Beck won six sec- tional and two conference titles during his 21-year tenure that saw him amass a 182-167 career record. "I just want our kids to come out and compete every match," he said. "Even though we only have three kids, we can still win match- es. It just takes three to win any- way. I want them to play this sea- son as hard as they have practiced this summer and I'll be happy." Because the team has just three players, they will be forced to forfeit two of the five matches before the team even takes the court. Beck said it's tough to com- pete, no matter the size of your team, but having just three ath- letes makes it just a little tougher. "We'll have to work a little harder and push ourselves a lit- tle more," he said. "In order for us to be successful, we simply have to outwork our opponents and win the mental game. Our kids don't play tennis year round on indoor courts, so it's of necessity that our kids commit themselves and put time in during the summer. If you don't put the time in, and do your job in June and July, the competi- tion will be tough to overcome." The Chargers lineup will likely be senior Quinton Sorgius and ju- nior Ethan Huck at No. 1 and No. 2 singles and senior Dalton Wil- liams playing No. 3 singles. "Right now our biggest strength is that all of the kids we have playing have lots of varsity experience," Beck said. "Even though we only have three kids right now, they have been fully committed this summer and sea- son. All three of them played ei- ther [No. 1 singles, No. 2 singles or No. 1 doubles] last year, so playing against good competition is something they should be familiar with." Sorgius makes the switch to singles after playing No. 1 doubles a season ago. "He's had a lot of suc- cess the last couple of years, and this sea- son is going to have to make the transition to singles," Beck said. "So far, he has done fine. He's a tall lefty with a nice serve. He is comfortable at the net and has a solid baseline game. I'm looking forward to see- ing him compete in singles this season." Huck played No. 1 singles last year as a sophomore and gained some really good experience against some tough competition. "I believe this season he is more ready to step up and com- pete and win matches," Beck said. "Ethan has improved his game in all facets. His baseline game is solid and his serving has improved this summer as well." Williams played No. 2 singles a year ago. "He's athletic and moves real- ly well," Beck said. "His baseline game has improved this summer and has greatly improved is step- ping in on the short ball and be- ing aggressive with it." Pike Central has solid num- bers at the sixth and seventh- grade levels, but could use a few more eighth graders, according to Beck. "We are currently still looking for players to come out," he said. " I challenge my kids in practice. I'm tough on them, and I love each and every one of them, but they are pushed to do their best." The Chargers' season is set to begin on Wednesday, Aug. 21 at North Posey. to start at those spots. "There aren't a lot of wide receivers who bench press 230 pounds [like Zazzetti]," Stephens said. "He will be able to shed blocks, and [Jagar] is decent in coverage." Another player who could see extended playing time in the defensive backfield is Conner Furman (6'2", 175). "He can really run a little bit," Stephens said. "I'm really excited about him and I think he could really help us. If a team runs a vertical at us with a 6 -foot-3-inch player, we are in trouble. [Furman] gives us the ability to put a 6'2" defender out there, who probably has a 6'4" wingspan, that can run with that guy and give us some options to defend it." However, Furman still has a lot of tech- nique issues he still has to clean up. Pike Central's safeties will be Brandon Goeppner and Dillard. Goeppner appears to have taken a big jump mentally from his junior to senior year. "He understands his role in the defense and where he needs to be," Stephens said. "He's out there making calls and takes ownerships of making sure other guys are where they are suppose to be." Dillard is fast, aggressive and plays down- hill. Howald could also play some safety. Dillard and O'Neal will serve as the team's punt returners, while O'Neal, Fraz- er and Pitcher will be the kick returners. The Chargers will be without senior quar- terback Mario Fields, who moved with his family to Tennessee this offseason. Stephens said he anticipated Fields play- ing running back this season before he moved. Fields rushed 140 times for 788 yards and seven touchdowns in 2018. He also complet- ed 80 of 1133 attempts for 519 yards, with one touchdown and 10 interceptions. "He was more of running quarterback last year," Stephens said. "We were hoping to go thunder and lightening with him and Wyatt [Fraser] this year, with Mario softening up the middle and Wyatt busting off the edge. Mario was also going to play defensive line for us and life would have been good, but it is what it is and next man up." Stephens said he would like to see the Chargers play with more confidence. "I hope they play with a chip on their shoulders and a little bit of toughness and nastiness, not dirty," Stephens said. The Chargers are searching for their first winning season since 1986 and will open the season at Brown County on Friday, Aug. 22. CHALLENGE Continued from page D-7 SEIZE THE WEEK'S SPORTS NEWS. Get a hold on the sports world when you read the newspaper. We bring you complete coverage of sports events and scores, so you can keep up with your favorite teams at a glance. Seize the day and subscribe today; call 812-354-8500 for convenient home delivery.

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Press-Dispatch - August 21, 2019