West Lafayette football bucks trend with 2-way position players

Sam King, Lafayette Journal & Courier
·5 min read

WEST LAFAYETTE - For years, West Lafayette football players were designated to offense or defense.

Not both.

Of course, there are some exceptions and in those cases, it was rare talents.

But nothing like this, not during head coach Shane Fry's 10 seasons.

The Red Devils, though, are pulling out all the punches with the likes of Matthew Richardson, Nate Myers, Wyatt Curl, Benny Speaker, Cooper Kitchel and Jack Montes being playmakers on both sides of the ball.

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"We kind of look at it and it is always the same thing," Fry said. "What lineup gives our team the best chance to succeed? All we have to do is answer that."

It's a question that has varying answers depending on the opposition and what that team may or may not do well.

Last week Curl, a three-year starting safety, caught a 42-yard touchdown in the sectional title win over previously unbeaten Hanover Central a week after a 57-yard touchdown versus Calumet in the sectional semifinal.

Kitchel, whose twin brother Carson is the backup quarterback and this season switched to defensive end to see more playing time, returned from injury two weeks ago and last week had six tackles, including a sack, while playing linebacker.

Montes, like Curl a mainstay in the secondary, had a momentum-changing 50-yard reception in last week's sectional championship game.

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Myers, one of the defense's best tacklers, made a midseason switch to offense and has six touchdown receptions on just 12 catches.

Speaker, a sophomore receiver, ripped away an interception last week on a jump ball while playing a full game in the secondary.

"We all love it because we hate being off the field. We all want to be on the field and sometimes it doesn't happen, but when get those opportunities, we try to make the most of it and play our best football ... " Speaker said. "A couple years ago in eighth grade, I was scared of tackling for sure. Now, I want to hit somebody any chance I can."

Richardson is the leader of West Lafayette's defense and also plays left tackle. He's the only Red Devil who exclusively sees the snaps both ways.

No one is more equipped for it.

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"Everybody has been hungry this postseason. We've seen it. It's awesome to see these guys are ready to help the team in any way possible," Richardson said. " We know coach is going to put us in the best position.

"If somebody has to go both ways, that is a compliment to you. That is not something to be ashamed of. You are the guy. Do your job. We trust you to do this. It is a great thing I've been one of those guys since day one and other people are stepping into those roles because this is how coaches want me to help the team."

The regular season is used to gauge where West Lafayette needed to get better if it was going to make a push for the program's fourth state championship.

Now the Red Devils are two victories away from ending the season in the same venue they began it, in Lucas Oil Stadium.

And they'll pull whatever depth chart changes necessary in order to do it, including bucking the program trend and playing one-platoon football with several guys.

"We're not getting crazy with it. We've developed guys forever that play on one side of the ball," Fry said. "The only full timer is Matthew. The other guys get breaks here and there. When you are playing in a big game though, it is a lot easier to go."

Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.

West Lafayette (12-0) at Knox (9-3)

  • Time: 7:30 p.m.

  • Sagarin ratings: West Lafayette 85.14, Knox 68.45

  • Series history: First meeting.

  • About West Lafayette: The Red Devils average 45.9 points and allow 11.3. ... West Lafayette defeated Twin Lakes 50-7, Calumet 52-12 and Hanover Central 44-17 to win Class 3A, Sectional 25. ... The Red Devils have won 11 straight games by 26 or more points after defeating Harrison 27-14 in Week 1. ... West Lafayette has won nine regional championships, most recently in 2018. ... Statistical leaders - Passing: Max Mullis (159-238, 2,259 yards, 28 TD, 5 INT). ... Rushing: Dawson Martin (192 car., 1,059 yards, 17 TD), Mullis (100 car., 944 yards, 19 TD). ... Receiving: Liam Burton (82 rec., 802 yards, 7 TD), Benny Speaker (21 rec., 391 yards, 4 TD). ... Tackles: Matthew Richardson (111), Valin Hedden (100). ... Sacks: Hedden (6), Chase Taylor (4), Porter Mitrione (3). ... Interceptions: Wyatt Curl (4), Michael Lynch (4), Richardson (4). ... Kicking: Niko Roumbakis (57-67 PAT, 3-3 FG, long of 28).

  • About Knox: The Redskins average 41.3 points and allow 20.7 per game. ... Knox defeated Lakeland 65-28, West Noble 22-0 and Jimtown 42-21 to win Class 3A, Sectional 26. ... The Redskins are coached by Russ Radtke, who is trying to take his third team to the state finals (Griffith, New Prairie). ... Knox lost to Mishawaka Marian 17-0 in 2019 in its only previous regional appearance. ... Statistics unavailable.

  • Coach Fry's take: "We've always said once you get past the sectional, there's eight teams and any one of them can win it. They are a good football team. We don't even look at records at this point. We have no common opponents. What we can tell on film is they are well coached, tough kids. They've got good size and bought into coach Radtke's system and they are rolling."

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: West Lafayette High School football bucks trend with position players