Indiana wasn’t quite ready to win in 2020, as its 2-5 finish put it ahead of just Knoch and Greensburg Salem in the Class 4A Greater Allegheny Conference.

The Little Indians did, however, show that they could move the ball. They averaged nearly 300 rushing yards per game, which helped them score at a healthy clip of 21.7 points in their seven contests.

Now coach Brandon Overdorff is hopeful that his offense is ready to take the next step and lead the program to new heights.

“I think that builds confidence,” he said of piling up the points a year ago. “So I’d just like us to play with more confidence. I think when you do that you play faster and a little more aggressive.”

And that extra burst may be all this group needs to really break out, as it returns its top two rushers, who piled up big numbers despite the pandemic-shortened schedule.

Quarterback Devin Flint just missed out on the 1,000-yard rushing mark. His 991 averaged out to an impressive 5.7 per carry and 140.6 per game to go with 14 touchdowns.

A year later, Overdorff believes the senior’s experience of playing through the conference slate once will help him make reads and decisions more quickly, a valuable skill in the Little Indians’ triple option attack.

Joining him in the backfield is fellow senior Zach Herrington, who was almost as productive at running back with 715 rushing yards, which came at a rate of 5.8 per carry. He has added some strength in the offseason, which should help him hold up against the rigors of a longer campaign.

Beyond them, Overdorff believes others are ready to step up to command opposing defenses’ attention and open up space in which Flint and Herrington can operate.

Seniors Corbin Wilson and Josiah Johnson have manned the slot back spots in the offense in the past. Both totaled just under 100 yards each in 2020 and they’ve added needed size, strength and speed since as well. Rourke Jones may also see time at that spot after returning from a stint at Kiski School.

Liam McFarlane, meanwhile, will line up at split end after touching the ball a handful of times as a sophomore. Overdorff said he has shown potential to make plays on the outside.

The line is the one part of the offense that will need to reload after graduating four seniors. Jake McCracken is the only player who returns to the group, so he will be looked to for leadership for a younger group.

Overdorff said he expects some mistakes from the newer faces but believes his program has done a good job of cultivating depth and has six or seven guys who are up to the challenge of competing for roles.

Defensively, the secondary should be a strong suit. Herrington was a standout at the position a year ago, and he’ll be joined by senior Fox Van Leer, who’s returning from a serious injury.

The corners are similarly experienced. Flint, Johnson and Wilson have all seen time and will be in the mix there again.

As with the offense, most of the losses for the unit came up front. The line lacks seasoning beyond juniors Adam and Alek Clark, who mixed into a more veteran rotation in 2020.

The linebacker crops, similarly, lost some contributors and will need to find some new ones through competition. Those who emerge will complement senior Ben Nettleton, who’s coming off a breakout season and will be one of the unit’s key leaders this time around.

In total, it’s a group Overdorff likes. He just hopes it can find a bit more toughness along the way to improve on its average of 32.4 points allowed per game last season.

“We definitely need to get a little more physical on the defensive side of the ball,” he said.

“If we do those things, we’ll even be better. We’ll show a lot more competitiveness.”

Adam Bittner: abittner@post-gazette.com and Twitter @fugimaster24.

Coach: Brandon Overdorff

Years at school: 4

2020 record: 2-5

Returning starters: Offense 6, Defense 6

Key returners: Devin Flint (5-10, 163, Sr., QB), Zach Herrington (5-9, 191, Sr., RB)

Keys to success: Limit mistakes, block and tackle well.

Schedule

*Non-conference game

First Published: August 20, 2021, 11:00 a.m.