2025 Team Preview: South Dearborn Sets Sights on First Sectional Title in School History

The Knights open the season Friday at Jennings County.

Head Coach: Rand Ballart (46-56 in 11th year at school)
2024: 4-6
Graduated 13 seniors: Conor Huff, Taytum Barker, Dylan Leffler, Carson Cheek, Caden Thompson, Ronnie Armah, Landon Walton, Mahlon Bressert, Cole Armbruster, Zaniel Juan, Jacob Purcell, JD Wickersham 

Crunch Time Episode Featuring South Dearborn: https://www.eaglecountryonline.com/on-air/podcasts/crunch-time/episode/crunch-time-august-11-2025/

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South Dearborn started off strong in 2024, but the Knights did not finish the season the way they wanted to, finishing (4-6) with a sectional first round exit. 

As the Knights turn their focus to the new season, they will lean on a small group of seniors to lead a talented group of underclassmen. 

"We have a really good senior group this year. We don't have a lot of them but the ones we have, we have eight solid seniors that have great leadership in the program. They really took us this offseason to another level," said head coach Rand Ballart. 

Much of the offseason has been spent learning a new offense and new defense.  

"It's taken a lot of work. We focused a lot this spring on the defensive side, getting those guys in before school and doing a lot of study tables with Coach Jackson, who is going to run our defense this year. Once summer hit and we had all our dudes, we started incorporating a new offense, and they have really taken it on," Coach Ballart added. 

Perhaps a highlight of the summer was the Knights' participation at Hanover Camp, where they went up against Southridge, Brownstown Central, Indian Creek and Providence. 

OFFENSE

The Knights will have a new signal caller in 2025. Who that will be, has yet to be determined. Regardless, the starting QB will be under center this season to lead an offense that will lean on the run game. 

"We are not going to be a spread type team. It goes back to our personnel. We are going to get back under center. It goes back to our personnel. We have some dudes we feel can play some smashmouth football. That's what I'm used to. We've been a spread, power spread team the last few years and it wasn't getting us where we want to be," said Coach Ballart. 

Colton McClure and Tyeler Gulden are poised to be the featured backs with Mason Lane as their lead blocker. Levi Walston could see carries as well.  

While "smashmouth" football is the preferred style, the Knights will still put the ball in the air. They return one of the top receivers in the area in junior Wyatt Adams. He caught 40 passes for 657 yards and seven touchdowns. Basketball star Tyler Christian joins the team this year and could feature offensively. 

Brady Ballart is expected to play some offense again in 2025. He ran for 134 yards on 50 carries last season and made nine catches for 112 yards. 

Colt Hensley is the lone returning starter on the offensive line after the graduation of Mahlon Bressert, Zaniel Juan, Jacob Purcell, and Cole Armbruster. Dallas Terrill and Aiden Davidson are slated to play guard. Mariano Flores, who gained some experience as a freshman, is expected to play at tackle. 

Elliot Meek and Jason Chipman are returners at tight end. 

DEFENSE

The South Dearborn defense should be stout up front. They return four-year starting linebacker and University of Louisville commit Brady Ballart. He will play behind a defensive line that returns Mason Lane, Eli Sizemore, and Aidan Davidson. 

Ballart, an IFCA Junior All-State selection last season and Prime Time 25 honoree this season, led the Knights in tackling a year ago with 76 takedowns (14 for a loss). Mason Lane was an All-EIAC performer last season with 41 tackles (6 for a loss) and two sacks. 

Dallas Terrill is expected to drop from linebacker to defensive end, filling the void of Region 10 All-Star and Thomas More freshman Caden Thompson, who had nine sacks a season ago. 

Drake Lee and Jackson Johnson have been working at linebacker. 

In the secondary, Colton McClure and Tyeler Gulden are back. Gulden led the Knights with four interceptions in 2024. Jake Cox. Sam Gates, and Kaiden Wessell are battling for playing time in the secondary. 

"Our strong side is going to be our defensive side. I'm a believer defense is going to win games and championships. All these guys are putting in the time and putting in the work," said Coach Ballart. "I want the kids to go out and play hard each and every night and each week. Prepare hard and get better. I love their aspirations wanting to put a sectional on the board. I feel like we have a good group this year. I want to get another conference title this year, then we will look to the postseason and try to make a run for it."