By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – All guts, no glory. If there’s an offensive lineman’s creed, a tenet that defines a position where courage and effort are never rewarded or rarely recognized, that fits perfectly. The only time they really get noticed is when something goes drastically wrong.
Bedford North Lawrence’s energized offense has been dangerous and entertaining. The Stars are averaging a robust 34.8 points per game – double the production of last season – to rank among the best in Class 4A. Senior quarterback Dayson Kirby continues to lead the state in passing yards, with a stable of receivers giving him plenty of trusted targets. Running back Brody Horton has become a ground weapon of late.
Those playmakers have numbers to discuss and trumpet. But without those toiling in anonymity in front of them, nothing happens. They get blamed when a sack happens or a penalty flag erases a big gain, so they deserve a huge chunk of credit for BNL’s electric attack.
The Stars (3-1) will unleash all that firepower when they visit struggling Seymour (0-4) on Friday night. BNL has reached the midpoint of the regular season as a co-leader in the Hoosier Hills Conference, as one of the surprise stories in Southern Indiana. There are a lot of reasons for the turnaround, but one of the overlooked is the improvements made up front. They live vicariously through the statistical success of the skill stars.
“I love that Dayson is having a great season,” junior center Chase Rynders said. “Last year we couldn’t deliver the time in the pocket, and that’s on us. So I love to see him succeed.”
Kirby has been terrific, throwing for 1,437 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has spread that wealth to four receivers with 15-plus catches, and four have two or more touchdowns. Horton has been over 90 yards rushing the last two weeks.
“It’s playing fundamental football, honestly,” said senior Brady Byers, who credited line chemistry for the success. “If you do it well, it’s great. You love to win football games. You have to do what you have to do. It’s a team sport.”
During the first three weeks, BNL was pass heavy, which requires a different blocking technique and mentality. Pass blocking is done in retreat, run blocking is done with forward aggression. The Stars have purposefully sought more balance.
“There’s nothing passive about pass blocking,” senior Tripp Stahl said. “You have to be aggressive, no matter what. Run blocking just takes heart, more than anything. You have to take pride in it. You might not see it on a stat sheet, but you see it on a teammate’s stat sheet. That’s what matters. It’s coming out to hit them in the mouth every play, earning it every play, bit by bit.”
“Run blocking is a lot harder,” Rynders said. “You have to go as hard as you can, trying to blow someone’s cap off. It boils down to trusting who’s next to you.”
There’s still areas to work on. Flags have been flying too visibly on multiple fronts. BNL is averaging a dozen penalties per game, an unsustainable total for wins against quality opponents. Not all of them have been at the expense of the line. BNL runs wind sprints on Mondays as punishment for the crimes, so at least the Stars will be in great shape.
“We keep harping about the little things,” BNL coach Brayden Tidd said. “Don’t get sloppy because we’re tired.”
Meanwhile, the Owls have their own issues. They’re allowing 37.3 points per game, although their record doesn’t reflect their competitiveness. “They’ve been in every game,” Tidd warned. “They start off really fast.”
Seymour quarterback Max Coates has completed 38 of 67 passes for 328 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Traysean Hawkins has totaled 262 rushing yards with three TDs. On the flip side, the Owls surrendered 425 rushing yards during last week’s 42-14 loss to Floyd Central.
“We have to contain the running back, because he’s big and runs hard,” Tidd said. “Our key is doing our job. Don’t worry about anyone else. If we put that together, every play, for four quarters, we will like the results.”
Seymour dominated last year’s clash at BNL, cruising to a 49-0 victory while triggering the running clock in the third quarter. The Stars were limited to 84 total yards, including four sacks. Nick Wheeler scored three touchdowns and Jaylan Johnson accounted for 106 receiving yards.
BNL has labeled this season the “Revenge Tour” after suffering multiple blowout losses a year ago. It should really be the “Restore Respect” tour. Last year’s Seymour loss was one of the low points.
”If you want to be a competitor, like every athlete should be, it’s part of your motivation,” Tidd said. “If you’re not motivated at this point, to come out and play, I don’t know what to tell them. You can tell they’re hungry and want to win.”
BNL at SEYMOUR
Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m.
Records: BNL 3-1 (2-0 in HHC); Seymour 0-4 (0-3 in HHC)
Coaches: Brayden Tidd, 3-1 in first season at BNL; Tyson Moore, 23-32 in sixth season at Seymour
Sagarin ratings: BNL 64.61; Seymour 39.68
Series: Seymour leads 27-23
Last meeting: Last year at BNL, the Owls pounded the Stars 49-0. Nick Wheeler scored three touchdowns and Jaylan Johnson had 5 catches for 106 yards and score for Seymour. BNL was limited to 84 total yards.
Previous game story: Seymour’s dudes dominate Stars
Game notes: The road team has won six straight games in the series. Seymour has lost six straight games, its longest skid since dropping seven in a row from 2020-21. BNL ranks ninth in Class 4A in scoring at 34.8 points per game.
