Linton Miner Football

Linton Miner Football Everyone should already know about the miners!!

09/11/2026

Here we are week 4... and another edition of Linton/Sullivan week. the 115th meeting. Linton has enjoyed dominance over the Arrows for the last 10 years with 10 wins and 15 of 17 meetings starting in 2010. Coming into 2026 both squads lost a big amount of seniors.. Linton 16 Sullivan with 15... but coming back with soph QB Maddox Grise, and two big weapons in RB Clark French, and SE Paul Ridgeway. Another big returning starter is OL and LB William Hollifield amd OL/SL Adam McKinley,

Grise (Soph 6'3 210) took over at QB last year as a freshman midseason ending with 1,088 pass yards, and already has 6 TD passes through 3 games on 16 of 29 (55.2%) passing with 250 yards in the air. He ripped the miners for 221 yards on 11 of 22 passing in 2025 sectional; a 58-27 Miner win. He had 4 TD passes in the opening week win over NK along with 166 passing. Sullivan almost always has a strong passing attack with 3 receivers spread out if not 4. This year seems no different with #10 Paul Ridgeway (Sr 6'6 210) being the most dangerous. He has 3 TDs of his 6 catches this year, but Miner fans have watched #10 for the past couple years as he caught 4 for 116 and 3 scores in last year's regular season tilt. He is a leaper at 6'6 and Grise will likely try deep jump ball throws to Ridgeway.

#3 Xander Freels (Sr 5'9 160) isn't a newcomer as he returned kicks and punts last year, and he is a starter this year. He had 4 catches against South Vermillion in week 2 and is a speedster. #6 Tevan Boone (Soph 5'10 145) looks to be the other wide out with a TD catch on 3 for 47 so far.

Of course we all know about #3 Clark French (Sr 5'8 190) at RB. He set Sullivan's single season rushing record last year with 1,083 yards as well as 22 rush TDs. He's a 403 through 3 games, with 3 TDs, and a 238 yard effort at NK to go with 164 against S.Verm. He had a big game in Linton's 1st meeting with the Arrows last year with 2 TDs and 163 rush yards, but the rematch Linton did better holding him to just 87 yards on 22 carries. #5 Lane Simmons (Jr 5'9 190) steps into the Hback role, and has a handful of rushes (5-7) and a couple passes (2-35-1) to the effort.

The Arrows return 5 starters from 2025 offensively and the O Line lost 3 to graduation. C #74 (Sr 6'1 215) Adam McKinley and Guard #57 (Sr 6'1 235) William Hollifield. It looked like 2 seniors joined that line with Tckles #58 Colin Brundige (6'2 230) and #52 Xander Ferro (6'3 225) , and I've seen a couple take the remaining guard spot #50 Soph 5'10 200 Giovanni Beretta and last week it was #63 Sr 5'11 285 Corbin Hitt.

Defense only came into 2026 with 2 returning starters: Hollifield at LB and Ridgeway at Safety. Hollifield leads the Arrows is stops with 37 and 5 TFL. He had 16 against NK in week 1, 13 against S.Verm. he's joined by #20 Sr Isaac Bedwell (5'6 160) at ILB. He has 23 stops with 5 TFL. I;ve seen Sullivan in a 4 man front, 5 man front as well as 3 man. with (2) OLB's I see #5 Simmons with #16 Hunter Sappington (Jr 5;7 175). Sappington is 2nd in tackles with 25, and 8 TFL. I think in 3 man fronts, Sappington is the Strong Safety. Up front #63 Hitt lines up at NG in 5 front, #52 Ferro and #58 Brundige at DTs with #54 McKinley and #56 Jr Jensen McKee (5'10 215) at DE. I've also seen McKee at NG. Another face in the mix is #50 Beretta at DE. McKinley and Brudige each with 13 tackles.

As mentioned, Ridgeway is back at looks to be a CB, but it seems they mix it up, Joining him in #2 Freels (14 stops) and Sappington in a 3 man corp, but #4 Tyler Bostic (Sr 5.11 165) is a CB with 4 DBs.
From the Desk of Daniel Phillips

They look to protect Grise by not playing D, but also French.
Arrows have a solid kicker in Sophomore Rhylan Stewart (6'0 170) who is 12-13 on PATs. no FG attemps. Ridgeway averages 35.0 yards per punt.

Sullivan opened up with 51-7 win over North Knox on the road, then a convincing 55-7 win over South Vermillion at home. The big meeting between WIC Rivals at Brazil ended with Northview a big 49-7 winner. Arrows sit 1-2. They average 34.3 ppg, giving. up 21.0. Offensively average 249.6 pgg (163.3 rush, 86.5 pass) while surrendering 255 pg (139.7 rush 115.3 pass)

RB 3 Clark French 12 5'8 190
WR 10 Paul Ridgeway 12 6'6 210
WR 6 Tevan Boone 10 5'10 145
FL 2 Xander Freels 12 5'9 160
hb 5 Lane Simmons 11 5'9 190

LT 58 Conner Brundige 12 6'2 230
LG 57 William Hollifield 12 6'1 235
C 54 Adam McKinley 12 6;1 215
RG 63 Corban Hitt 12 5'11 285
RT 52 Xander Ferro 12 6'3 225

MLB 20 Isaac Bedwell 12 5'6 160
OLB 57 William Hollifield 12 6'1 235
OLB 5 Lane Simmons 11 5'9 190
DE 54 Adam McKinley 12 6;1 215
DT 58 Conner Brundige 12 6'2 230
NG 63 Corban Hitt 12 5'11 285
DT 52 Xander Ferro 12 6'3 225
DE 56 Jensen McKee 11 5'10 215
CB 2 Xander Freels 12 5'9 160
CB 16 Hunter Sappington 11 5'7 175
FS 10 Paul Ridgeway 12 6'6 210

Congrats to Wrigley!!! A natural in front of the camera... these days!!!
09/11/2026

Congrats to Wrigley!!! A natural in front of the camera... these days!!!

09/04/2026

Can anyone clue me in on who #42 is for linton. Not on roster...

09/04/2026

I wanna give a shout out to our guys....

First off... to the Seniors who have given every big of heart and soul to Linton Miner Football and continue to do so through effort and leadership:

54 Tyler Franklin 12 5'11" 215
61 Tanner Scharbrough 12 6'2 210
11 Harrison James 12 5'10" 155
12 Noah Parker 12 5;8 145
56 Brett Anderson 12 5'6 175
66 Preston Snyder 12 5'11 245

Tyler and Tanner have been mainstays on the O line and on Defense since their sophomore years. Harrison was a special teams dog his freshman year, and has also seen a lot of action on both sides, particularly on D. Noah may not see a lot of time on Fridays but you can always see him right on the sideline full of enthusiasm and support, and when he does get in.. you can bet you'll know it. Brett is another who has put in the time and work and we saw him on the OL last week. Preston came back his senior year and we see him on the D Line. There are a couple other new senior faces as well this year with Andrew Sluder and Kaden Marsh.

We are fielding a young team... we know this. Of the 42 man roster 24 are sophs and freshmen. Of those 24, 8 are either starters or see substantial time. 7 juniors start on one or both sides of the ball. Renn Cottingham and Tate Gamble both started in 2025, Gamble as a Freshman at Linebacker.

The entire skill side is underclass starting with Espn Graves, a soph, at QB. Gamble and Cottingham, we well as sophs Stephen Boulanger, and Coltyn Andrews. James is a senior at SE, but Montgomery (soph) at TE, Luke Miller (soph) and Drake Netherlain (jr) both factor is...as well as 2 freshmen Braxton Moore and Clark Stanton. There is a lot of natural talent in those names... but the injury bug has already claimed several of these players. I expect others on the roster will get their chances as the season progresses.

Just gotta keep pushing, keep getting better, correct the mistakes that will be made as you grow on the field. Week 3 is upon us. Another top 10 ranked opponent. The only way to look at it is you have to believe you can win every time you take the field. There is nothing to lose. You can only get better with experience.... Go Miners!!!!

Yep..seemingly endless hours of prep...ready for another week. GO Miners!
09/04/2026

Yep..seemingly endless hours of prep...ready for another week. GO Miners!

09/04/2026

There were no stats to find anywhere. I went through the first game and kept written stats and by the 2nd game had a good handle on who was who.

They beat Crispus Attucks (4A) 42-0 then 5a New Albany 35-0.

QB 11 Austin Ridenour 11 6'0 185
RB 5 Braylon Ridner 12 5'11 175
WR 4 Rodney Freeman 11 6'0 165
WR 8 Coltin Bonds 10 5'10 150
FL 22 Kelan Ford 12 5'9 165
FL 3 Trent Whyde 11 5'9 160

88 Mason Linehan 11 5'10 145
6 T J Schultz 11 6'0 150
7 Chase Brumback 12 5'10 185
15 Parker Rodriguez 12 5'8 170

Ridenour can pass very good. I had him in the vicinity of 15 of 22 for at least 260 against Attucks. THey run 2X2 wideouts on every play. All fast, all can make tough catches. 4 targets plus the back out of the backfield. Very difficult to cover all of those weapons. QB can tuck and run... so can't disregard that he can make plays with his feet. They also ran the screen to Ridner ( #5) several times, very effective.

22 Ford was very fast from Slot, and caught several deep across the middle. Takes full advantage of an OLB trying to cover him. He also motions and takes a pitch or handoff for a running play. #4 Freeman was also a big play receiver. He had nearly 100 receiving yards and 2 TDs against Attucks. #8 Bonds will also motion in and get a carry, and seems a possession receiver. #3 Whyde had 70+ yards in week 1 but was in street clothes against New Albany. He was a 2-way starter to start the season. I didn't see where he got hurt against Attucks, and he wasnt in a cast or on crutches that I saw. I saw #6 Schultz in his spot last week. He almost mirrors #8. 88 Linehan saw some snaps, as did #7 Brumback (who starts at ILB) late in the game last week.

#5 Ridner is super shifty and has the afterburners in open space. Like all the Lutheran skill guys...they don't go down easy... We already have tackling issues, and this could be big trouble tonight. 15 Rodriguez spells Ridner at RB, which isn't often. 15 is starter at SS and a big hitter

LT 77 Logan Kennerk 12 6'2 250
LG 51 Marc Mackay 12 5'11 210
C 58 Aidan Olson 11 5'11 220
RG 79 Tyler Blubaum 11 5'11 235
RT 67 Ryder Vleck 10 6'0 195

This was who I saw at OL in both games. They may shift some guys around but it was these 5. 77 Kennerk had people planted on the ground many times..and often yards down the field. They are not overly big, but quick and very solid.
55 Eli Lecher 10 5'9 185
saw some action at Center here and there. Even when Lutheran was up by a lot...even at halftime... I didn't see much subbing out. Maybe late vs New Albany.

D...

ILB 7 Chase Brumback 12 5'10 185
ILB 52 Christian Hall 12 6'1 215
OLB 50 Carson Knight 10 6'1 220
OLB 4 Rodney Freeman 11 6'0 165
DE 51 Marc Mackay 12 5'11 210
DT 77 Logan Kennerk 12 6'2 250
DT 67 Ryder Vleck 10 6'0 195
CB 1 Hayden Bonds 11 5'11 150
CB 18 Ke-Andre Wingo 11 5'7 140
SS 15 Parker Rodriguez 12 5'8 170
FS 22 Kelan Ford 12 5'9 165

A lot of the same names. Hall is the big dog at ILB. #7 and #15 are the two that constantly make big physical hits. #18 is playing where #3 was at in week 1. 77 Kennerk lines up on the center and causes havoc. The 2 sophs gotta be very good to be starting at Lutheran. Neither Attucks nor New Albany had much if any success moving the football. Attucks had a very fast QB who scrambled for his life.. literally... and had some good runs just on athletic ability... but Lutheran was all over both teams with pass rush.

There were others that saw substantial time defensively... i think to rest some of the 2 way guys.

ILB 55 Eli Lecher 10 5'9 185
SS 88 Mason Linehan 11 5'10 145
OLB 8 Coltin Bonds 10 5'10 150
olb 6 T J Schultz 11 6'0 150
DL 79 Tyler Blubaum 11 5'11 235
DT 58 Aidan Olson 11 5'11 220
DL 61 Elijah Belschner 10 5'11 190
CB 3 Trent Whyde 11 5'9 160

Kicker punter was
24 Luke Duncan 10 6'0 155

09/02/2026

Balloon Release in Memory of Chase Bennett

The Riverton Parke Senior Class is sponsoring a Balloon Release at this Friday's home football game. Students can purchase balloons during lunch on Thursday and Friday for $2, or balloons can be purchased at the game for $5. All proceeds will benefit the Chase Bennett Scholarship Fund. Balloons will be released at the conclusion of the football game.

08/29/2026

From the desk of Daniel Phillips

I was glad to see a lot of people stick around to the very end last night. Because that's what we need. We all knew coming into this season was going to be a little bit tough, not because of lack of talent. But lack of experience. You cannot possibly question the heart of these kids that are on that field for the school.

Others would quit others would not put forth. The others would just decide not to play. The program has given this town and school a ton of great moments and respect not only from the state but the tri state. I know this personally from wearing my l
Miner football gear at gigs all across three states, and it never ceases to amaze me how many people go ooh, man. I've heard about their football team.

We have been spoiled in that year in and year out despite graduation and smaller numbers, this team continues to put out and now, with the increased schedule strength we've added each and every year this is something that could happen. Sort of the perfect storm with so many multi year starters, graduating, and so many young kids being put in starting positions without ever playing a down in varsity football. It is different.

Believe me between j v or junior high and, add to that the level of talent that's facing us across the field and the level of preparation. Then because the opponents know they 're facing one of the best small school football programs in the state, we are going to get every school's best shot. There are little if an
y gimmes in our schedule this year.

And it's going to be tough all year long. But these kids take pride in putting all that helmet, take pride in running out on the roy and take pride in representing their school on the road. I would challenge anyone to question this. It is the same for me. Because I literally recoil, when I hear anyone question my loyalty. But that's a subject for another day.

Now more than any other time, we need to pack the stands and be very vocal and give these kids support because they are our future. And not only that, we do have seniors on this team that have given insane amount of work and dedication and they deserve that respect. Even in times of crisis..

GO MINERS...win or lose.. we back you.

08/28/2026

It is a beautiful day and gonna be an even more beautiful night. There are a few things better than coming out to the Roy for high school football in linton, indiana. I think it would be awesome for this place to be packed with support for our team. Believe me when I say they feel that support when it's there and they can feel it when it's not there. It's a big game tonight, and they need to feel that we're there. Go Minersi I

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