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Indiana Deaf seeks to build on best season | IndyStar.com
It was the greatest football season in the history of the Indiana School for the Deaf . . . and it wasn't enough for the players.
"Our boys took it really hard when we could not clinch the sectional title," coach Michael Paulone said in an e-mail after the 27-8 loss to Cardinal Ritter. "How long it will take for them to move on is something I can't tell you. Our boys were crushed but we believe that after the pain has gone, they will come to the realization that they had (the school's) best football season ever."
That combination of pain and pride should provide the program a strong foundation to build on.
Indiana Deaf's season lasted a single game four years ago due to a lack of players, and it hadn't had a winning record since 1989, but this team won a school-record nine games, breaking the mark set in 1945. It led at the half against Ritter, 8-7, in the sectional title game, the same program it trailed 55-14 in the fourth quarter last season.
"We proved that we belonged on the football field this year," Paulone said.
The Deaf Hoosiers lose several key seniors including running back/tight end/defensive end Jarvis Beaver (693 yards from scrimmage, 12 touchdowns; 82 tackles, 6 sacks), running back/safety Selwyn Abrahamson (1,452 yards from scrimmage, 16 touchdowns; 76 tackles), linemen Hioplito DeLuna, Jamie Johnson and Corey Burton, and receiver/cornerback A.J. Christian (21 catches, 661 yards, 8 touchdowns).
"They brought experience, leadership and had pretty much taken over the team," Paulone said. "It will be difficult (to replace them because) we are a very small school and have a very small crop of boys to choose from. We have a few good eighth-graders coming in this fall so we'll see how that goes, and we do still have a great group of boys at the freshman, sophomore and junior levels."
That nucleus includes quarterback/defensive back Gabriel Paulone (2,614 total yards, 40 touchdowns; 60 tackles, 6 interceptions), linebackers Mark Alcozer (71 tackles, 8 sacks) and Will Fetzer (98 tackles) and safety Tony Dall (99 tackles, 4 interceptions).
"The greatest football season ISD has ever had is a major achievement," Paulone said. "The next step for our program is just continuing what we have established. . . .
"We look forward to next year."
It was the greatest football season in the history of the Indiana School for the Deaf . . . and it wasn't enough for the players.
"Our boys took it really hard when we could not clinch the sectional title," coach Michael Paulone said in an e-mail after the 27-8 loss to Cardinal Ritter. "How long it will take for them to move on is something I can't tell you. Our boys were crushed but we believe that after the pain has gone, they will come to the realization that they had (the school's) best football season ever."
That combination of pain and pride should provide the program a strong foundation to build on.
Indiana Deaf's season lasted a single game four years ago due to a lack of players, and it hadn't had a winning record since 1989, but this team won a school-record nine games, breaking the mark set in 1945. It led at the half against Ritter, 8-7, in the sectional title game, the same program it trailed 55-14 in the fourth quarter last season.
"We proved that we belonged on the football field this year," Paulone said.
The Deaf Hoosiers lose several key seniors including running back/tight end/defensive end Jarvis Beaver (693 yards from scrimmage, 12 touchdowns; 82 tackles, 6 sacks), running back/safety Selwyn Abrahamson (1,452 yards from scrimmage, 16 touchdowns; 76 tackles), linemen Hioplito DeLuna, Jamie Johnson and Corey Burton, and receiver/cornerback A.J. Christian (21 catches, 661 yards, 8 touchdowns).
"They brought experience, leadership and had pretty much taken over the team," Paulone said. "It will be difficult (to replace them because) we are a very small school and have a very small crop of boys to choose from. We have a few good eighth-graders coming in this fall so we'll see how that goes, and we do still have a great group of boys at the freshman, sophomore and junior levels."
That nucleus includes quarterback/defensive back Gabriel Paulone (2,614 total yards, 40 touchdowns; 60 tackles, 6 interceptions), linebackers Mark Alcozer (71 tackles, 8 sacks) and Will Fetzer (98 tackles) and safety Tony Dall (99 tackles, 4 interceptions).
"The greatest football season ISD has ever had is a major achievement," Paulone said. "The next step for our program is just continuing what we have established. . . .
"We look forward to next year."
