Homecoming Night: Beat McCutcheon!!

McCutcheon Mavericks visit for homecoming and pose a great test for the Tigers who are coming in with some banged up players and unfortunate key suspensions.

McCutcheon's season so far prove they can be one of the top teams in the HCC and can't be overlooked by anyone.  Since their opening loss at Brownsburg, McCutcheon has put it together a lot better to handily beat Zionsville and barely lose to Noblesville last week.

@ Brownsburg lost 28-49
Zionsville  won 30-6
@ Jeff won 18-15
Harrison won 24-19
Noblesville lost 20-28

Offensively, McCutcheon is led by senior running back Nate Deno but the Mavs have question marks at quarterback for the Tiger defense to take advantage of.  Defensively, they have one of the best linebackers in the state in Caleb Harper.  McCutcheon also has other fine defenders that will be up for this game and will not quit.

Tigers will need to contain the running lanes and be strong up the middle to keep yards per play within reason.  McCutcheon will try to confuse and pressure the Tiger blocking discipline to get to Conner Christiansen and force Tigers into making plays and keep the defense honest by proving they can balance the attack.  Decision-making will need to be sharp and the offense can do a lot to help the defense get needed rest between McCutcheon possessions.

Tigers will have to keep the game in mind for 48 minutes and be ready to go the distance for all of them.  McCutcheon is not traveling to Fishers on homecoming with anything in mind other than taking this one away from us and earn the conference respect that they feel they deserve.  Fishers must battle every game to keep the HCC title hopes alive.

Bold Prediction of the Week:  Tigers will get a kick return OR TWO!  This fan hopes the 2nd one in the crystal ball wasn't for McCutcheon!

UPDATE:  LB Lukas Robinson OUT WITH ANKLE

A pre-season preview in Lafayette Journal & Courier:

McCUTCHEON MAVERICKS

Head coach: Ken Frauhiger (11-52 in six seasons) 
2012 results: 3-9 (1-8 Hoosier Crossroads Conference); lost to Fishers 38-13 in sectional championship 
Class: 5A, Sectional 11 (Harrison, Kokomo, Westfield) 
Sectional championships: 6 (1976, ’82, ’83, ’94, ’96, ’99) 
Regional championships: 1 (1982) 
Semistate championships: 1 (1982) 
Stadium: David Ellison Stadium, 4951 Old U.S. 231 S. 
Returning starters (offense/defense): 6/6 
Offense: Spread 
Defense: 4-3 
Returning leaders

Rushing: Nate Deno (6-1, 175, Sr., RB/Slot) 186-1,261 yards, 14 TD 
Passing: N/A 
Receiving: Deno 12-177 yards 
Tackles: Caleb Harper (5-11, 195, Sr., LB) 132 
Interceptions: Alex Nicoson (5-8, 180, Sr., CB) 2 
Others to watch: Lane Beeler (6-0, 220, Jr. FB); Blake Elming (5-7, 165, Jr., RB); Caulin Post (5-11, 250, Jr., C); Tanner Flynn (5-11, 235, Jr., G); Cole Taylor (5-7, 175, Jr., CB); Brad Myers (5-10, 235, Jr., DL); Lukas Robinson (6-0, 195, Jr., LB); Jake Shake (6-0, 175, Sr., K/P). 

Outlook: The Mavericks made an unexpected run to the sectional championship game last season. Can they build off that momentum and take another step forward in their final season in the HCC? 
McCutcheon returns over 2,000 rushing yards, starting with the versatile Deno. Elming is a speedy complementary piece and Beeler brings experience and size at fullback. First-year starting quarterback Jami Frier can target veterans like Deno and R.J. Blair. Kyle McGhee, a three-year starter, slides from tackle to guard and leads the offensive line. Shake is a consistent field goal threat whose punting also continues to improve. 
Harper earned Journal & Courier Big School Player of the Year recognition last season. Between he and Richardson, linebacker should again be a strength. The Mavericks will lean on their depth both up front and in the secondary. The defensive back group is senior-heavy, and Frauhiger says as many as nine players are in the mix to rotate up front.

Journal and Courier piece on backup running Blake Elming:

As McCutcheon’s backup running back, junior Blake Elming plays an invaluable role.

Beyond giving starter Nate Deno a rest, Elming’s downhill style also provides a change of pace compared to Deno’s juking, slashing style.

But it’s when the Mavericks put both talented backs on the field that the offense has a chance to reach its full potential.

“We’re both pretty good weapons,” Elming said, “so they can’t really key on us both.”

While Deno is the unquestioned No. 1 weapon in the McCutcheon offense, Elming’s emergence last season gave the Mavericks a new versatility. McCutcheon coach Ken Frauhiger said the 5-foot-7, 165-pound Elming is even faster this season.

“As a smaller guy, he gets stuff done that most smaller guys don’t,” said Deno, who rushed for 1,261 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. “It’s cool to watch him. It kind of reminds me of me my sophomore and junior year. He’s fun to play with, and he’s really talented.”

Elming rushed for 703 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore. When junior fullback Lane Beller and up-and-coming sophomore LeVon Thompson enter the backfield mix, suddenly the McCutcheon offense has crucial depth.

“You can put Elming in the backfield, and people still have to think about the run,” Frauhiger said. “Elming‘s back there, Beeler‘s back there — and Beeler’s a freight train — and now you maybe throw Deno on the outside. So if you’ve got your coverage based on the fact that we don’t have anybody that can go behind you, now we do.”

McCutcheon ran for more than 2,200 yards while advancing to the sectional championship. Elming accounted for a third of that output, but just as importantly, he instilled confidence in his teammates that someone could fill Deno’s shoes when needed.

“He’s got a heart like no one else on this team,” Deno said. “He helps me a lot just getting rests in between. When I come out, we know we’re going to have a good person coming in. He has my back and I have his.”

One day, Elming might own that role as the lead running back. For now, there’s nothing unsatisfying about being the understudy.

“I’m looking forward to it, but I’m still ready for this year, too,” Elming said.