2025 Snapshot: North Decatur

Five times in the last six years North Decatur has won at least nine games with four of the program’s six sectional titles coming in that span. The Chargers have not finished below .500 since 2014. The bar has been set high by those who have come before this 2025 squad now it will be up to this group to answer the call for “the next man up.”

“This team has tremendous potential, but has many positions to fill due to graduation. This group must learn to embrace the hard work and fundamentals that are required,” head coach Steve Stirn states.

North Decatur has a solid foundation to work with and that includes a deep stable of running backs, excellent size for a Class 1A school along both sides of the line and a secondary that should create many takeaways. “The standard of performance has been established. We must grow into a team that can and will play to that standard. I believe that we return a good amount of experience that we can build around to be successful,” Stirn says. 

The Chargers will play in the newly formed Mid-Indiana Conference with Milan, South Decatur, Switzerland County, Edinburgh and Brown County. Winning that first league title isn’t going to be easy considering what North Decatur lost from a year ago but it is definitely within reach.

Class 1A, Sectional 47
2024 RECORD: 10-2, 3-0 MEC
COACH: Steve Stirn (84-36 at North Decatur, 10 years; 117-73 overall)

North Decatur RB/DB Corbin Thackery (photo courtesy of North Decatur Football)

HONOR ROLL
Corbin Thackery, Sr, RB/DB/RS – A breakout performance in 2024 saw Thackery run for 1,246 yards, catch 19 balls for 335 yards, amass 2,319 all-purpose yards, average 39.6 yards per kickoff return, 26.3 yards per punt return and find the end zone 27 times (19 rush, three rec, three KR, two PR). He was named IFCA Class 1A Junior All-State (RB) for his efforts. He also had 39 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for losses, two forced fumbles, with a fumble recovery and an interception.

Charlie Parmer, So, OL/DL – The Parmer family has played a significant role in the Chargers recent success and young Charlie is the latest to make his mark for the namesake. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound lineman was dominant in the trenches earning All-MEC honors as a freshman. He had 26 tackles, 3.0 sacks and 6.0 tackles for losses. With his size and upside Charlie may end up being the best of the Parmer clan, and that is saying something

OTHER RETURNEES
Tyler Dean, Sr, RB – Missed all of 2024 due to injury after running for 718 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore. 

Conner Larison, Sr, OG/LB – A starter on both sides of the ball, the younger Chargers will look to Larison for guidance. He recorded 51 total tackles, a sack and  5.5 tackles for losses a year ago.

Hunter Meister, Sr, TE/LB – A returning starter at tight end, who plays a key role as a run blocker. On defense, Meister will see increased responsibilities at linebacker. 

Eli Trenkamp, Sr, DB – A key cog of a secondary that will be one of the Chargers strengths in 2024. In his first year as a starter, Trenkamp was in on 36 tackles, had 3.5 tackles for losses, a fumble recovery and an interception last fall.

Isaac Martin, Jr, OT/DL – The future looks bright for Martin who has shown flashes of being an all-league talent. In seven games as a sophomore, the 6-foot, 250-pound lineman had 11 tackles and 4.5 tackles for losses.  

Gage Gabbard, Jr, OC/LS – An established asset as a long snapper. The 6-foot-3, 285-pound Gabbard now gets the reins to roundup the offense at center.

Simon Barber, So, RB/DB – A solid varsity debut saw Barber run for 560 yards, with six touchdowns on the ground, 13 receptions, 137 yards receiving, 824 all-purpose yards and 27 tackles as freshman. The best is yet to come for Barber.

Matthew Fields, So, QB/P – Takes over at quarterback for the Chargers. Fields threw for 323 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman.

North Decatur Head Coach Steve Stirn (photo courtesy of North Decatur Football)

NEWCOMERS
Expected to step in a fill the some of the voids left by the Class of 2025 that went a combined 32-7 over the last three seasons are seniors RB Tyler Dean, OL/DL Trent Larison, TE/LB Bryson Abplanalp, WR/DB Adam Wade, juniors OG/DE Logen Foster, TE/LB Adam Whately, RB/LB Hayden Koehne and sophomore OG/LB Evan Cherry. Abplanalp is a transfer from Greensburg. 

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(34-40)
Sectional Champion (six) – 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 1998 & 1982.
Regional Champion (one) – 2022.

2025 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/22/25 – SOUTH DECATUR (4-5 in 2024) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/29/25 – at Eastern Hancock (5-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/05/25 – MILAN (8-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/12/25 – at Brown County (6-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/19/25 – at Switzerland County (6-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/26/25 – at Linton (12-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/03/25 – EASTERN GREENE (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/10/25 – EDINBURGH (0-10) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/17/25 – at Franklin County (7-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/24/25 – TBD: IHSAA Class 1A, Sectional 47 Playoffs

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