Tyce Tomey
Parker Marling
Owen Wise
Justin Beeler
Ian Stephens
Landon Fulk
Jalen Jordan
Jordan Green
Jaylan Seeko
Jared Hess
Clifton Van Dyun
Quinton DeVault
Tucker Barnes
Sidiki Traore
Brennan Adams
Sam Mossoney
PENDLETON — Pendleton Heights High School football and coach Jed Richman are still “trusting the process” and ready to move into the new season.
After a 5-5 record last year and the graduation of some key players, Pendleton Heights has a mix of veterans and newcomers vying for starting slots.
Balance and versatility will be strengths of the Arabians.
At quarterback, senior Tyce Tomey and junior Isaac Wilson are battling for the starting position.
At the Green and White scrimmage Aug. 6, Richman said if a game were played the next day, both would play.
The starter for the Aug. 19 opener at Lebanon is still on the line.
“Both of those guys have shown a lot of promise and leadership,” Richman said.
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One veteran Richman will depend on is senior Sam Mossoney.
The offensive lineman is a leader of the offense.
As a junior, Mossoney was named to the 2021 Indiana Football Coaches Association 4A Junior All-State Team. He’s also a three-year starter for the Arabians.
Mossoney isn’t the only veteran on the offensive line. Ian Stephens is another three-year starter Richman will depend on. “We’re really leaning on them right now,” Richman said.
One of the Arabians’ strongest talents is in their effort on the field.
“It’s exceptional. We’re doing a really good job and in great shape,” Richman said. “We’ve got to maintain that because in our conference (Hoosier Heritage Conference) we’re not talented enough to just show up. We’ve got to go out and play as hard as we can for four quarters,” Richman said.
He added the mindset of the team is where it needs to be.
“The community can be real proud of how hard they play for them and what they’ll see out on this field.”
Richman said knowing his team shows up every day and the players work as hard as they can gives him peaceful sleep at night.
“They’re going to give it everything they got on Friday nights, and that generally can take care of a lot of problems within the game,” Richman said.
The balance on the offense will play well for the Arabians. A strong mix of being able to run the ball and pass the ball will be a strong point for the Arabians.
“We have guys showing up to the weight room with speed and strength. We see people who have matured,” Richman said.
Last season, he started 14 sophomores at different times.
“They don’t look like sophomores anymore, and that helps,” Richman said.
Senior Jalen Jordan and juniors Reese Reddington and Caden Sims return as wide receivers.
The three accounted for most of the Arabians’ touchdowns last year.
At running back, senior Jared Hess — who also starts at safety — is part of a strong duo.
Joining Hess is Quinton DeVault. DeVault rotates in at linebacker, but will be the starting running back for the Arabians.
“We’ve got some weapons,” Richman said.
Pendleton Heights plays in one of the toughest conferences in the state with last year’s 4A state champion (Mt. Vernon) and New Palestine (which won back-to-back 5A titles in 2018-19).
“You have to show up every week in our conference. It doesn’t really matter who you’re playing,” Richman said.
The Arabians open the season Aug. 19 at Lebanon, which is a new opponent this season.