South Putnam ready for Sectional title chase

Heading into tonight's Class A Sectional 45 meting with Fountain Central, South Putnam head football coach Chuck Sorrell likes where his team is situated. 

After opening the season 1-2, the Eagles have rattled off seven straight wins, given up a total of 13 points and posted three shutouts along the way. 

"I don't feel we have peaked because we have not been able to play a full game in weeks. We are constantly working on the next parts of our offense and defensive schemes," Sorrell told The Putnam County Post. 

While some may concerned about the lack of game reps for his starters, who have only played a half the last few weeks, Sorrell said the Eagles put in the work to make up for it. 

"We work hard enough at practice and in the weight room to, hopefully, overcome the lack of game reps. We will be playing full games now in the tournament," he said. 

Having started the preseason ranked number one in Class A, the Eagles are considered a favorite to represent the south at Lucas Oil Stadium next month in the Class A state title game. Sorrell understands there is a lot of variables that goes into a playoff run, but he admits this is the best South Putnam team he has had. 

"This is the best we have been in all three phases going into the tournament since I got here six years ago," the veteran coach said. 

Fountain Central enters the contest at 4-5, having knocked off Parke Heritage, 31-6, last week in the regular season finale. Head coach Herb King has won over 200 games in his career, and Sorrell said the Mustangs present some issues.

"They play a lot of different offenses. We have to get lined up correctly versus all of their formations so they do not get an explosive play on offense. We need to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. We have been able to score on big plays all year. We need those again. Plus, we haven't given big plays up in a while. We need to continue that trend," Sorrell said. 

Should the Eagles advance and win a sectional title, it would be the 13th in school history, a feat not lost on Sorrell.

"That's very impressive. It has been our goal since we met in December -- to win a sectional. These players, coaches, parents, and fans all work so hard and show so much support. Winning means a lot at South Putnam," Sorrell said.