LINCOLN CITY, Ind. -- The past two years haven't been easy for Jacob Schmidt.
During the early part of his sophomore football season at Heritage Hills, he tore his ACL. The surgery didn't end up taking place until later on during his sophomore year and the rehab process was grueling, exhausting and sometimes difficult to fight through.
But after dealing with a painful injury and having to watch mostly from the sidelines over the past two seasons, the 6-foot-2 senior will finally get to do what he's been waiting patiently for these past few years -- a chance to lead the Patriots at the starting quarterback position.
"The whole process was really rough. Rehab was also tough and to this day, I'm still gaining back muscle mass that I lost," Schmidt said. "It's all been a big learning process but I'm so ready just to be back with the guys and enjoying football. I'm happy I get to be here for my senior season."
Over the past couple of seasons, Schmidt has felt lucky to learn from some very talented players such as Cade Jones and Cole Sigler at the quarterback position. He says that both of those guys were great leaders and he believes that the lessons they've taught him will help keep him composed on Friday nights.
However, perhaps the biggest learning experience came on the practice field as the scout team quarterback during last season's run to the IHSAA Class 3A State Finals. Going up against guys such as Mark Doyle, Phoenix Rodgers and Jacob Wetzel has helped prepare Schmidt for the defenses he'll see in the Pocket Athletic Conference this upcoming season.
"That was probably the most fun I've ever had in practice," Schmidt said. "I loved going up against our defense -- we had such a great defense and that made it even better. I think that experience will help me a lot now that I'm back."
Schmidt is just one of several new players the Patriots will have in starting roles this upcoming season. Graduated are players such as Sigler, Doyle, Rodgers, Wetzel, Gavin Vaal, Noah Mundy and several other impactful names from the past couple of years.
But even with an abundance of fresh faces, Heritage Hills head coach Todd Wilkerson believes that this group is ready to step up and face these new challenges with a positive attitude.
"I think you've got a lot of guys that are hungry. They’ve been in the shadow of a very talented class for a few years now and no one really knows who they are," Wilkerson said. "They're excited to have this opportunity."
One of the more familiar names that will suit up for Heritage Hills this season is senior Adam Guth. He was a key piece in the secondary with five interceptions and five pass deflections last season and was also an all-state selection as a punter with an average of 42.4 yards per punt.
In addition to those two roles, Guth is anticipated to be one of Schmidt's primary offensive weapons at wide receiver. While playing a variety of roles could be stressful, Guth doesn't let it get to him.
"Playing both ways and on special teams can kind of wear you down but it's a job that's gotta get done. I just kind of let my instincts take over," Guth said. "If I start thinking, it slows me down. I have to be as fast as I can at all times. My body gets used to it and I just try to focus on my job and my assignments."
After graduating two 1,000-yard rushers in Sigler and Wetzel, it'll be a new backfield for the Patriots this upcoming season. Sophomores Owen Schaad and Evan Bowling saw limited action last year but will be the featured backs this year along with Luke Rickelman, who will also be the team's backup quarterback.
On defense, the Patriots return just one player who had over 50 tackles in senior Jordan Mitchell. Guth, Rickelman and Schaad will be the key players in the secondary while Bowling, Garrett Nix and Caleb Fakes will hold down the linebacker positions. Cameron Briggs and Ross Tempel will highlight a new look line on both sides of the ball.
Even though the Patriots' roster will look a lot different this upcoming season, the team believes that the run to state last year will continue to drive them to pursue continued success moving forward.
"I want these guys to show up and expect to win games," Wilkerson said. "The preparation we put in both during the offseason and in practice will get them prepared to be successful on Friday nights. That culture is what we want to create and sustain."
Contact Courier & Press sports reporter Hendrix Magley via email at hendrix.magley@courierpress.com or via Twitter @TweetsOfHendrix.
Previously: Boonville | North Posey | Mater Dei | Reitz | Southridge | North | Princeton | Castle | Memorial
Up next: South Spencer
Heritage Hills Patriots
Coach: Todd Wilkerson (63-27 in 9th year at school)
Last year: 14-1, 7-0 PAC (Class 3A state runner-ups)
Players to watch: Jacob Schmidt (Sr., QB), Adam Guth (Sr., WR/DB/P), Owen Schaad (Jr., RB/DB), Jordan Mitchell (Sr., TE/DE), Garrett Nix (Sr., LB)
Schedule: vs. Mount Vernon (Aug. 21), at Tell City (Aug. 28), at Boonville (Sept. 4), vs. South Spencer (Sept. 11), at North Posey (Sept. 18), vs. Gibson Southern (Sept. 25), vs. Washington (Oct. 2), at Southridge (Oct. 9), at Princeton (Oct. 16)
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Even with an abundance of new faces, Heritage Hills has visions of continued success - Courier & Press
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