NEW ALBANY — It was three years ago that New Albany shocked some in Indiana high school football by blasting traditional power Bloomington South for its first regional title.
The Panthers had beaten the Bulldogs by 30 points in the 2021 season-opener for both. Almost three months later, however, New Albany avenged that loss with a 33-14 victory over an injury-plagued South squad. The following Friday night, the 'Dogs lost to eventual Class 5A state champion Indianapolis Cathedral in the semistate.
New Albany has won just four games since that setback, going 2-8 each of the past two seasons.
“We had a lot of guys that thought all they had to do was show up,” said veteran head coach Steve Cooley, who is beginning his eighth season with the Bulldogs and 30th overall as a bench boss.
Cooley expects better things in 2024. With some 15 starters returning, New Albany should be improved.
“This is probably the most optimistic I’ve been in a few years. Our kids have bought in to the discipline,” he said. “We’ve tried to make some changes on both sides of the ball in the way we practice and what we do, I’ve been pleased."
Last season, the Bulldogs averaged only 14.5 points per game while allowing 39.6.
"We've really tried to emphasize expectations," Cooley said. "I think we took some things for granted. Some of these kids just showed up and thought we would win last year."
Cooley said this season's squad will be "solid."
“We will have very consistent role players that are fun to watch,” he added.
The 'Dogs will be led by several of their seniors.
One of those is Kenny Watson. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound senior quarterback/defensive back is entering his fourth year as a starter. Last season on offense, he saw time at quarterback, running back and receiver due to injuries. He passed for 338 yards, rushed for 143 and had 148 receiving yards.
“I like to run,” said Watson, who runs a 4.6-second 40-yard dash.
He'll be back at QB this season.
“This team will play together,” Watson said. “We are good all-around. Yes, we have some things to clean up.”
Watson says this season's squad has some experience from the past couple of years.
“(We have to) play to our strengths," he said. "I think we will extend our passing game, throw the ball downfield and run the ball. We are really good up front.”
Watson says that wideout Gavin Rand, a baseball player as well as one of his best friends, will be a key contributor. The 6-0, 172-pound Rand is the team's top-returning receiver from last season, when he had 16 receptions for 230 yards.
“We’ve played a lot together since middle school, where he was my favorite target,” Watson said.
Cooley said he has several running backs he believes he will be able to count on.
Among those are senior Damian Castillo and junior Klay Kaiser, as well as sophom*ores RJ Long and Dashawndre Wright. The 5-7, 163-pound Kaiser is the team's top-returning rusher. He ran 56 times for 221 yards and one touchdown in 2023. Castillo ran for 53 yards and a TD in only three games.
Cooley is counting on productive play from his offensive tackles, including Shawndrae Oliver, Wesley Davis and EJ Zamorano.
“We’ve gotten better there,” the coach said. "We’ll let those kids compete and see what happens.”
Senior Isaiah Simon will bolster things up front. Additionally, juniors Luke Minich and Elijah Stokes also return.
Last season, New Albany had some deficiencies on defense. The Bulldogs allowed 42, or more, points in their seven regular-season losses.
“We have to get off the field to score points," Cooley said. "We aren’t built like we were a couple years ago, where we could go out and outscore people.
“We only made our opponents punt 14 times in nine games."
New Albany switched some things up for its sectional game against Castle.
“They punted four times," Cooley said of the Knights. "We changed some things and got off the field. We’re not there yet, but we are getting there."
The Bulldogs return their top-three tacklers from last season in Rand (96 stops), Kaiser (74) and Watson (65).
“I hope we are physical and quick,” Cooley said.
Seniors Christian Sans and Jonah Alexander return to anchor the defensive line. Sophom*ore Roy Shafer, who is "going to be really good" according to Cooley, will also be a factor up front.
Junior Grant Williams and sophom*ore Aiden Loesch (“He is very coachable," Cooley said. "He's very smart.”) will bolster the linebacking corps.
Watson will helm the secondary that also includes juniors Henry Dixon and Malik Whitfield, as well as sophom*ore C.J. Ross.
One newcomer who should see action on both sides of the ball is 5-11, 166-pound freshman Cortez Ricketts, who can play quarterback, receiver and safety.
"He's going to play somewhere," Cooley said.
Dixon is also back at kicker. Last season he averaged 51.6 yards per kickoff while going 17-for-20 on point-after-touchdown kicks and 2-for-3 on field goal tries.
"He will be able to kick some field goals,” Cooley said.
New Albany, which will scrimmage Scottsburg on Friday night, opens its season Aug. 23 against Franklin at Buerk Field.
