Crown Point’s first day of training is “like Christmas”

CROWN POINT – After the first official day of football practice in Crown Point was delayed nearly an hour Monday due to extreme heat and a torrential downpour, the Bulldogs took the field.

Head coach Craig Buzea excitedly called out, “Hey, let’s play some football,” as the players ran from the weight room to the stadium.

“It's fun. It's like Christmas again for us,” Buzea said during the delay. “It's like we're opening presents and getting on the road.”

Last season, the Bulldogs ended the region's 22-year drought of not sending a football team from the state's top division to the IHSAA state finals. Although Crown Point lost to Ben Davis in the state championship, the Dawgs proved they were capable of making history for the tight-knit community.

Although Crown Point has lost some of its top talent – notably Times 2023 Defensive Player of the Year Will Clark, offensive lineman Paul Clark and defensive lineman Seamus Malaski – 14 of the Bulldogs' core players are returning.

“They're all going to be important parts of what we're going to do,” Buzea said. “If we want to be the kind of team we want to be, other players have to step in.”

Starting quarterback Noah Ehrlich said he can't wait to get back to playing under the lights on Friday nights and prove that Crown Point's winning streak last season “wasn't just a fluke.”

Ehrlich led the region last season with 2,453 passing yards. He had 27 passing touchdowns, 67 carries for 342 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.

Crown Point High School soccer practice — Crown Point High quarterback Noah Ehrlich drops back to pass during the first day of practice on Monday.

John J. Watkins, The Times

Since it is his last high school season, Ehrlich said he will do his best to enjoy every little moment.

“I just have to stop and take it in when I can, and I know this isn't going to go on forever,” he said. “I just have to enjoy it with my guys, enjoy it with the coaches and take in the community and the fan base.”

Bulldogs star running back Larry Ellison said his team knows what to expect after facing tough competition in Indy last season. Ellison led the region last year with 1,865 rushing yards. The senior also scored 26 rushing touchdowns.

He said his team needs to continue to compete and work toward the ultimate goal of actually winning the state championship.

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Defensive lineman Mark Gonzalez said he will play every game with heart and effort to help his team get the job done this season. The junior was the Bulldogs' second-leading tackler last year, recording 70 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Gonzalez said it was great to be back on the field with his teammates and he was looking forward to working with the defense and playing together as a unit.

“We trust each other. We believe in each other,” he said. “Some people look at it as a job. It's a joy to come here every day and hang out with the team at practice and do everything right. Go Dawgs.”