NorthWood, Jimtown, and Northridge set for football season

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. - As Northern Indiana looks ahead to the coming football season, several teams in Elkhart County have reason for optimism.

Many of them gathered at Jimtown High School on Saturday for team and individual photos, and the coaches took some time to discuss what’s in store in the next few months.

“Everybody’s excited right now because everybody’s undefeated,” said NorthWood head coach Nate Andrews.

Two years removed from a trip to the state title game, the Panthers are back after a successful 2017. But in truth, they still wanted more.

“We had a really good year and a really good team but we lost the close ones,” Andrews said of the three regular season losses. “We lost to an undefeated team in double overtime to end our season, so I think that leaves a taste and impression in our kids’ mouths.”

The Northridge Raiders also return hoping for more after running through the regular season undefeated, but ultimately falling early in sectional play.

To them, that’s all in the past.

“We’ve told them from the start, don’t believe you have to be exactly like last year,” said Raiders coach Tom Wogomon, pointing out that much of last year’s veteran core has graduated. “The one thing we continue to carry over from one year to the next is just putting in the work, and putting in the investment. The seniors know it’s their time. They have been waiting for this moment. They’re looking forward to this.”

Hard work is something all these teams preach, especially the day’s host – the Jimtown Jimmies.

As they get set for another campaign in the NIC, the Jimmies enter the season with a smaller roster, but still know they can be a tough matchup for opponents each week.

“I love this team,” said Jimtown coach Mike Campbell. “We may be down in numbers, however quality is better than quantity. I look around at our kids and we’ve got football players. They care about each other, they care about the game and they care about Jimtown High School more than themselves. When you have that, good things can happen.”

Jimtown will host NorthWood at Knepp Field to begin the season on August 17. Northridge hosts South Bend Adams in its own opener the same night.