Wolves begin first IHSAA season

Updated: August 2, 2011 2:18PM

For every person who contributed to Boone Grove’s campaign to bring an Indiana High School Athletic Association football program to the Porter County school, there have been several dates to remember.

Jan. 15, 2009 — That’s when the Porter Township School Board unanimously approved the start of football the following fall.

Aug. 29, 2009 — The first junior varsity game against Crown Point.

Oct. 8, 2010 — Boone Grove defeated LaLumiere 35-18 on the road in its first varsity game.

Oct. 15, 2010 — The Wolves play their second varsity contest, a 28-26 loss at South Newton.

It’s been a long road for everyone who worked hard to bring football to the corner of State Road 2 and 500W, including Glenn Adler, president of Boone Grove/Winfield Pop Warner, superintendent Nick Brown and athletic director Doug Knutson, who coached the team the last two years.

“Realistically, I think the community has been wanting football for the last 20, 30 years,” Knutson said in 2009 after the first JV game.

That dream for one of the largest school districts in the state that didn’t have a football team has come true, leading to today, Aug. 1, 2011 — the next landmark date for Boone Grove football.

“Ever since Pop Warner, we wanted to have football in high school,” said junior halfback Cody Poynter.

“Of course I’m looking forward to (the first official day of practice),” senior lineman Ryan Abrego said. “We have a lot to play for this year.”

And a new name will be added to the list of contributors to the Boone Grove football experience as Tony Tinkel takes over for Knutson, who said the board didn’t want the athletic director to be the head football coach.

Tinkel, who has been the special teams coach for two years, has been waiting for this moment for a while.

“It’s something I’ve wanted since I graduated high school (in 1976),” he said.

Besides his personal gratification of getting a head coaching job, he knows the community’s enthusiasm as the first IHSAA season is finally here.

“Our kids have worked so hard all summer,” said Tinkel, who was also Boone’s softball coach for three years. “Each year has brough so much anticipation. Last year we got a little taste of varsity play. Now we’re going full blow, all out.”

One aspect that the Wolves haven’t solved yet is having a set home field. Tinkel said that process is still in the works for the future. In the meantime, Boone will play three home games at Valparaiso University and two more at the new Junior Bulldogs field in Crown Point.

But the most anticipated contest will be opening night at longtime rival Wheeler.

“There’s a lot of hype already,” Tinkel said.

It won’t be lumped in with myriad Friday night games. Instead, the former Porter County Conference foes will face off on Aug. 20, a Saturday.

“It’s going to be a carnival type with dunk tanks and pie-eating contests for the two communities to enjoy the atmosphere,” Tinkel said.

The players can’t wait.

“I think if we compete with, or even beat Wheeler in that first game, we have a shot to beat them in sectional,” said Abrego, already looking ahead to a tough Class 2A sectional.

He’s not the only optimistic one.

“I think we’ll be over .500,” Poynter said. “We have a lot of talent.”

That’s something that eager Boone Grove fans will love to hear.

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