2016 Snapshot: Indian Hill

It doesn’t take long to be convinced that Indian Hill is a favorite to win the Division IV, Region 16 title. The Braves have so much going on. Indian Hill returns the best offensive player in the District, has leadership that goes along with talent in every class and after last November’s painful playoff loss to juggernaut Clinton-Massie, the motivation that fuels the confidence to be champions.

Indian Hill QB Reed Aichholz. (Mike Noyes/TSF)

“The 11-1 season last year was memorable. However, the close loss to Clinton-Massie in the regional semi-final left a bitter taste in the mouth of Indian Hill’s “Dogmen.” They have committed to adding size and strength. The expectations couldn’t be higher on Drake Road,” Braves head coach Tony Arcuri states.

Speed and athleticism on both sides of the ball is what sets the Braves apart from their peers. “This is fastest team I have coached. The entire secondary and linebacking corps are under 4.8 runners. The offensive skill positions are deep and experienced. Reed Aichholz heads up and offensive team that has the fire power to score often,”Arcuri says.

Line play is about the only question mark for Arcuri. “Two of our starters will enter the season with very little varsity experience. This group will need to come together as a unit quickly.” They will get guidance from the seniors at the skills positions during the preseason. There is no reason to think they won’t be ready and performing just fine when late August come around.

Region 16 is loaded, as always. Alter, Clinton-Massie and league rival Wyoming are all capable of winning the regional title. Bishop Fenwick, Badin and Chaminade Julienne will have a say in the outcome somewhere along the line. Unlike years in the past, though, the question will be – Are any of those squads equipped to handle what Indian Hill brings to the table? Not the other way around.

Division IV, Region 16
2015 RECORD: 11-1, 7-0 CHL
COACH: Tony Arcuri (17-4 @ Indian Hill, two years, 29-12 overall, four years)

HONOR ROLL

Indian Hill WR/DB Dawson Aichholz (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

Reed Aichholz, Sr, QB – The reigning AP Division IV Southwest District Player of the Year and First Team All-Ohio honoree Aichholz amassed 3,763 yards of total offense (2,568 passing, 1,105 rushing) and accounted for 47 touchdowns (31 rushing, 16 passing) as a junior. A repeat performance in 2016 is not far-fetched with the Braves potent offense. He has an offer from Eastern Michigan.

Dan Becker, Sr, LB – Becker had an outstanding junior campaign getting in on 136 tackles with one-and-a-half sacks. The 6-foot-4, 235 pound terror was named AP Division IV First Team All-Southwest District and Special Mention All-Ohio for his efforts.

Dawson Aichholz, Sr, WR/DB – An AP Division IV Special Mention All-Southwest District and First Team All-CHL selection as a junior Aichholz played a major role on both sides of the ball for the Braves. He filled out the stat sheet big time with 46 receptions for 888 receiving yards, had seven receiving touchdowns, recorded 70 tackles and picked off four passes in.

Dorian McGruder, Sr, DB – The Second Team All-CHL pick registered 59 tackles as junior.

Zarian Hunter-Cure, Sr, RB/LB – Pound for pound the strongest player Coach Arcuri has ever had. Hunter-Cure ran for 420 yards and six touchdowns a year ago.

Colin Shaw, Jr, ATH/DB – Shaw was an AP Division IV Special Mention All-Southwest District and Second Team All-CHL choice as a sophomore after catching 39 balls for 526 yards, with three touchdowns receiving, 32 tackles and two interceptions. He will be back for this third year as a starter.

OTHER RETURNEES
Ben Wirthlin, Sr, WR/DB – “Ben is a “special athlete that has the ability to get open and make tough catches,” Arcuri says. Wirthlin had 33 receptions for 363 yards as a junior.

Indian Hill DE Mick Oakes (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

Mick Oakes, Jr, DE – A high motor guy who will be a major cog in the Indian Hill defense. Oakes recorded 51 tackles and was in on two and-a-half sacks a year ago.

Demetrius Baylor, So, LB – Baylor started 10 games last season as a freshman and had 63 tackles including eight-and-a-half sacks. He has gained strength and size and will be even more impactful in 2016.

NEWCOMERS
Jalen Thornton, So, ATH – Keep your eyes on this rising star. The son of former Bengal, John Thornton, Jalen is already an athletic 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds. He will figure into the Braves mix defensively.

Joel Berger, Jr, WR/DB: – Perhaps the fastest Brave, Berger is a speedy runner looking to make an impact on both sides of the ball.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
Nine appearances, (6-9 record overall) – 2015, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1996

2016 SCHEDULE
The first two teams on the schedule are the same as last year for the Braves but expect New Richmond and Waynesville to be much improved over the squads Indian Hill pummeled in 2015. Roger Bacon replaces Little Miami in Week 3. The first three tilts in conference play will be the Braves biggest tests on the way to a second straight CHL title. It starts by hosting Wyoming then at Mariemont and hosting Taylor. Indian Hill narrowly escaped with wins of five eight and seven points against that trio last fall.

OFFENSIVE FIREWORKS
Indian Hill averaged 37.25 points per contest and had an average margin of victory of 19.75 points per game in 2015. The Braves scored 40 or more points in six of their 10 regular season games. They scored more than 30 in each of their two playoff affairs.

CLOSING THE DEAL
A major reason that Indian Hill went undefeated during the regular season in ’16 was the ability win close games. The Braves won four of those 10 games by eight points or fewer. All of those nail-biting victories were in league play.

HOLD ‘EM DEFENSE
Nine times in 12 games Indian Hill held its opponents to 14 points or fewer a year ago.

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