Sheridan Blackhawks 2026 football preview

By Craig Adkins

Sheridan alum Jake Chesney is back for his second season leading the Blackhawks. The goals are high as they're set to improve on last year’s 8-3 season that helped them grab a sectional championship in Chesney’s first year. Losing the regional title game at eventual Class 1A state champion South Putnam (26-6) should have the ‘Hawks motivated.

"The main focus this off-season was to establish the new leaders and set/build on the positive culture set by the previous senior class. We graduated a solid group both on and off the field but this years team accepted the challenge and we’ve made great strides as a unit in both on-field performance and carrying on Sheridan Football culture," said head coach Jake Chesney.

Senior Brock Hagan is a two-year, two-way starter. He'll lead the offense again at quarterback. Last season, Hagan passed for 46 percent (39-84) for 496 yards to go with 4 TDs and 4 INTs. He also rained for 175 on 59 carries and scored 3 TDs. Across the ball on defense, Hagan had 45 tackles, 6 pass deflections and an interception. 

Fellow senior Hayden Alexander will be the leading rusher in the backfield. Last season, he totaled 950 yards on 94 rushes (10.1 per carry) and scored 11 TDs. He also made his mark on D, making 66 stops that included five sacks and two INTs.

Another trio of seniors, Brody Heck, Braxton Schwerdtfeger and Landon Moffit will be looked upon to produce on both sides of the ball. Heck and Schwerdtfeger will both see time at halfback and Moffit at wide receiver, while all three will roam the defensive backfield.

"Offensively, we have a some great athleticism and speed throughout the backfield. Now year 2 in this offensive system we’re excited to spread the ball around and use our abilities to create explosive plays," continued Chesney.

For Sheridan, it's always reload mode. They return four starters on offense and six on defense and also have numerous others that the coaching staff knows will have a lot of impact. Rylan Garner and John Crowder are vets on the o-line and will be joined up front by Brandon Adler. Waylyn Grinstead will line up at fullback and linebacker as well.  

"Defensively, we’ve had a very competitive summer filling in the 7 starting spots and plan to maintain our fast, physical and disciplined style of defense," added Chesney.

The Class 1A #8 Blackhawks scrimmaged at Class 3A Crawfordsville last Friday. Sheridan opens at home on Aug. 21 against an improved 3A #10 Maconaquah Braves squad.

Week 2 has the Blackhawks on the road at Class 2A #17 Alexandria on Aug. 28. Participation increased for Tri-Central in the offseason, so they will be playing football once again, after last season was abruptly canceled. The Trojans visit Bud Wright Stadium on Sept. 4, which also begins Hoosier Heartland Conference play.

Weeks 4 and 5 are road trips into Clinton County. Clinton Central hosts the Blackhawks on Sept. 11 and the Gophers of Clinton Prairie welcomes Sheridan on Sept. 18. The Taylor Titans come calling in HHC action on Sept. 25 in Week 6.

The final third of the regular season starts on Oct. 2 with a road game at Delphi to face the Oracles. The last home game is on Oct. 9 against 2A #7 Eastern (Greentown) and the regular season concludes with an away game at 1A #11 Carroll (Flora) on Oct. 16.

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