- Senior Salute: Leland Gantz
- 2024 Final Leaders: Southeastern Indiana
- 2024 NKFCA Top 26
- 2024 OPSMA Division I All-Ohio Teams, Ponatoski tabbed as OPOY
- 2024 OPSMA Division II All-Ohio Teams; Burnam named Co-OPOY
- 2024 OPSMA Division III All-Ohio Teams
- 2024 OPSMA Division IV All-Ohio Football Teams; Taft’s Pavey named Co-DPOY
- 2024 OPSMA Division V All-Ohio Football Teams
- 2024 OPSMA Division VI All-Ohio Football Teams
- 2024 OPSMA Division VII All-Ohio Football Teams
2024 Snapshot: Milan
- Updated: April 11, 2024
The train is back on the tracks at Milan. After back-to-back losing seasons, the Indians went 8-4 in 2023. Staying the course won’t be easy as a large core that was part of last year’s success has graduated. The good news is that there is enough talent returning at key positions this team should continue last fall’s winning ways.
Head coach Ryan Langferman likes the foundation that Milan has. “Our offensive stat leaders in the backfield are back behind three returning offensive linemen. We have a strong group of defensive linemen which will be in front of a very athletic defensive secondary.” The Indians are going to be a handful to deal with, in the trenches, on both sides of the ball, ,
Langferman and the staff are really hoping the underclassmen can fill voids that have been left by graduation. “At the present time, we anticipate five or six, two-way players which is normal for a small school. We hope players will step up to eliminate the number of two-way players. We have several questions on special teams, especially with the kicking game.”
Expect Milan to navigate through the regular season with some bumps along the journey but emerge with a winning record. Bank on Langferman’s Indians playing their best football when the playoffs begin.
At that point, the motivation ascends to another level. The Indians have been eliminated by North Decatur in the postseason in each of the last five years. Milan will be honed in on breaking that losing streak and bringing home its first sectional title since 2016 and that will be quite the story.
Class 1A
2023 RECORD: 8-4
COACH: Ryan Langferman (111-73 at Milan, 16 years; 117-73 overall)
HONOR ROLL
Landon Stanley, Sr, OL/DL – The anchor of the Milan o-line and one of the best small school linemen in Indiana. Stanley graded out at 84% and had 33 pancake blocks on his way to Class 1A Junior All-State (OL) accolades in 2023. He also recorded 32 total tackles, with a sack and 10.0 tackles for losses on defense.
Dylan Offill, Sr, DB – Exceeded all expectations in his first season of varsity football. Offill recorded 51 total tackles, had two tackles for losses, a fumble recovery, 12 pass breakups and seven interceptions to earn IFCA Class 1A Junior. All-State (DB) honors. He also excelled returning kicks and punts, averaging 24.3 yards per punt return and 32.7 yards per kickoff return with a kickoff return for a touchdown.
OTHER RETURNEES
Austin Green, Sr, RB/CB – He is the focal point of the offense, the heart-and-soul of the defense and a special teams stud, Green is an absolute beast on the football field. Last fall he became the featured back for the Indians and ran for 1,216 yards, had 16 receptions for 95 yards, 1,353 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns (14 rush, one rec). On defense, Green added 43 total tackles, three tackles for losses and an interception. Back for his fourth year as a starter, Green has been stat sheet filler. For his career, he has 120 total tackles, 13.0 tackles for losses, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 17 pass breakups, three interceptions, 2,288 all-purpose yards, 1,499 yards rushing, 19 receptions for 132 yards and 19 touchdowns (18 rush, one rec).
John McKeown, Sr, LB – Will provide much needed leadership at linebacker. McKeown was in on 35 total tackles, had a sack, four tackles for losses and a fumble recovery last season.
Cameron Gilb, Sr, RB/SS – A vital member of an experienced secondary. Gilb had 24 total tackles and two pass breakups as a junior.
Kyle Gotts, Sr, OL – A returning starter and a dependable commodity in the trenches. Gotts helped pave the way for the Milan offense to run for 261.8 yards per game, average 7.1 yards per carry and 43 rushing touchdowns in 2023.
Maison Taylor, Sr, OL – Provides senior leadership along with Gotts and Stanley up front. The Indians o-line should be one of the team’s strengths.
Wyatt Marsh, Jr, QB – Back for his second season as the starter, Marsh is primed for a breakout campaign. He threw for 731 yards, ran for 250 yards and accounted for 13 touchdowns (seven rush, six pass), as a sophomore.
Micah Norman, Jr, WR – Productivity in receiving yards and touchdown catches should rise considerably over the next two seasons for Norman as his role gets bigger on offense. He reeled in 12 balls for 126 yards and a touchdown last fall.
Zane Richardson, So, DT – The best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores and following that logic, Richardson is in line for a monster follow up to his inaugural campaign. He registered 33 total tackles, had seven tackles for losses, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries as a freshman.
Grant Langferman, So, DE – Acquitted himself very well as a freshman. The future looks bright for Langferman who was in on 27 total tackles, had a sack and seven tackles for losses in his varsity debut.
NEWCOMERS
The coaching staff is looking for senior DL Brandon Simms, juniors TE/LB Noah Morgan, RB/OLB Brady Alcorn and sophomore OL/LB J.J. Mutz can step in and become contributors as soon as the season kicks off.
PLAYOFF HISTORY
(45-39)
Sectional Champion (six) – 2016, 2011, 2010, 2000, 1996 & 1995.
Regional Champion (one) – 1996.
2024 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/23/24 – at Rushville (3-7 in 2023) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/30/24 – BATESVILLE (11-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/06/24 – at Lawrenceburg (8-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/13/24 – at Switzerland County (6-5)– 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/20/24 – GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN (4-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/27/24 – at Eastern Hancock (8-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/04/24 – PROVIDENCE (12-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/11/24 – at South Decatur (7-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/18/24 – MADISON (1-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/25/24 – TBD: IHSAA Sectional Playoffs
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