Falling for football

Coach

Russ Radtke

Record

At school: 166-59 (19th year)

Overall: 285-113 (35th year)

Last Season

Lost 53-14 to Hobart in sectional opener

Key returnees

DL/OL Maciek Szczepkowski

QB Austin Brown

OL Josh Bodnar

Key losses

QB Calvin Bonewits

DE Gilbert Eatman

DE Chris Melton

College Prospects

LB Nathan McNeill

DB Troy Yarnelle

Season outlook

Austin Brown shifts into the quarterback position after Calvin Bonewits, who rushed for 1,054 yards last year, graduated. Brown, a junior, has limited experience at the position after playing tight end and halfback for the Panthers last year.

On the line, Josh Bonar and Zach Grin are very good. Overall, the Panthers have four linemen back from last year. Radtke said he is most concerned with how the defensive comes together. Gilbert Eatman and Chris Melton, their ends, were the anchors last year. Both graduated.

This is a typical Griffith team. Radtke said he won’t go super conservative on offense now that his son, Bo Radtke, is no longer the offensive coordinator. Bo opened up the Panthers offense over the years. Joey Golub, a tight end who didn’t catch a pass last year, has looked impressive early. Brett Brinkley (12 rushes for 222 yards) is the leading returning rusher.

Postseason

Class 4A Sectional 9 (Roosevelt, East Chicago, Hammond, Highland, Clark, Hobart, West Side, Morton

Schedule

Aug. 19 Morton

Aug. 26 at New Prairie

Sep. 2 Hobart

Sept. 9 at Lowell

Sept. 16 Kankakee Valley

Sept. 23 Munster

Sept. 30 at Highland

Oct. 7 at Andrean

Oct. 14 East Chicago