September 5, 2025 • 36 mins
Today’s Best of Features:
(00:00-11:43) – The only undrafted rookie free agent to make the Indianapolis Colts roster this season was Johnathan Edwards. He joins the show to talk about his journey from being overlooked in St. Louis as a recruit, what Curt Mallory meant to him during his time at Indiana State, reveals when he started feeling like he belonged in the NFL during training camp, and admits that he wouldn’t have had it any other way on his path to the NFL.
(11:43-23:54) – Indiana Fever Head Coach Stephanie White makes her weekly appearance on Query & Company and starts her conversation with Jake Query about the decision to not bring Caitlin Clark back this season. She states that the decision was not impacted by the unavailability of some of the other players on the roster and provides the former players perspective on not being able to be out on the floor for most of a season.
(23:54-36:17) – Kyle Neddenriep from the IndyStar concludes the second hour of the program by discussing some of the notable games from week two of the high school football season, preview the slate of games that are being played around the state tonight, and highlights some players that have stood out early in the season.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Jonathan Edwards is speaking of impressive. He has been exactly that,
which is why, as an undrafted free agent, he has
made the roster of the Indianapolis Colts as a cornerback
who comes by way of Tulane, but his first stop
at Indiana State and Parkway North High School in Saint Louis.
Joins us on the show. Jonathan, how are you.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
I'm doing well, Jake, how are you?
Speaker 1 (00:20):
I am great? Thank you? Now they said you had
an emergency meeting. Everything's okay, right, Oh.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Everything's good. Yeah, we just had a meeting of defense system,
knocking out some last man's players.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Only meeting, so okay, Well, we want to make sure
that everything's okay. And I don't want to take you
away from anything. It's of utter importance. Oh, let's begin
with this now. I know I was just talking about this.
I used to work in Saint Louis. I know a
little about Saint Louis and I know about Parkway North.
And feel free to disagree with me here. But in
Saint Louis, especially athletically, there are so many rivalries and
(00:53):
so many great athletes that are at the private parochial
schools like once the adjacent Tatum or a David Lee
like gets to a certain level end up at CBC
or De Smet And so I think sometimes like the
Parkway North's for example, or Central's, I'm not going to
say chip on the shoulder, but it doesn't get the
attention in Saint Louis like the other schools, and that
(01:13):
can kind of fuel a drive in you. Is that true?
And did you feel it?
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Absolutely? Like I remember growing up in high school always
being underlooked. You know, everybody talked about CBC, the Smith
you know, I don't know Trinity, that's not a school anymore,
but that was a popular school during my time high school.
And I just remember like always wishing that I had
a chance to be to compete with those guys more
often than we did, but definitely with a chip on
(01:41):
our shoulder from guys and public schools who we were
a class for school. So that definitely was something that
drove me.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
Well okay, and so with that you end up. You know,
other guys are going to say, you know, Missoo or
Illinois or you know, wherever it may be. And nothing
against Indiana State in any way, shape or form, but
you end up in Indiana State, which obviously you know
at that time you were not listed to say a
four or five star recruit. So was that And I
(02:12):
know Indiana State was good for you, don't get me wrong,
but but did that also did that drive in that
inferiority complex that you didn't want to settle in on you?
Did it continue to motivate you at that point?
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Absolutely. I remember me going to Indiana State and me remembering, like, God,
not to knock anybody, but you remember in high school
you see guys posting all over the place, how many
offers they're getting. Like you talked about Miszoo and Illinois,
Like I never received a letter or anything from Zoo
or Illinois. So I just remember, like, man, like that's
(02:45):
kind of crazy. I was an in state guy, never
having those opportunities or my name never being out there,
and then Indiana State taking a shot on me, and
then me being developed there and receiving great coach and
like you said, like it's a smaller school, but I've
been fitted most as a man train. They're developing my
game and getting to where I am now. So I
(03:05):
have to credit Indiana State coach Mallory a lot for
my progress over my younger years.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
And so therefore was it difficult, I guess to know that,
you know, here was a school, and I get the
respect and the love and the appreciation you have for
what Indiana State offered. But once again you kind of
had to take like this this gamble on yourself and say, look,
I need to get to a place where I'm going
to be seen. And even then you weren't necessarily seen it,
(03:34):
tu Lane, but take me through that whole process and
just kind of the mixed emotions of leaving that behind
because you knew you had to get to another level.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Yeah, it was a hard decision. I remember, like really
going back and forth with it. I remember I had,
you know, thought in my head when I was younger,
maybe I could leave, but I never felt like the
situation was right, and I didn't. I never was a
guy who just wanted to jump ship because seen like
it was on the other side. I wanted to graduate.
I wanted to just continue to develop my game, and
(04:06):
when that time came, I just had my head. I
had to take a shout out myself, like you said,
I want to get to the highest level. And then
even if she was in Tulane, I was thinking, like
because like the new playoff, and I had much belief
and coach Summer on what they were doing in the
lane and winning conference championships, and I was like, man,
we can have a chance to compete at the college playoff.
(04:26):
There was a need of the position, so I jumped
on Tulane because obviously, like there was a great opportunity
for me.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
And so yeah, but even then, after your year in
Tulane and you had a good year, right, but after
that year in Tulane, you still had to kind of
ship away and let other guys get seen before you.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Right, Yeah, Yeah, it's it's kind of been my story,
like like you said, like having just happened, just like
a sort of like had to be payment. It's being patient,
grinding and keeping my head down and not trying to
look at anybody else, being in my own land. That's
been the same song I've been singing all my life.
(05:07):
So it's like that's my motivation now, like staying ready,
staying of course, and keeping my head down and just working.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
My guest is Jonathan Edwards, the cornerback of the Colts,
the only member of the roster that was initially when
the fifty three man announced that was an undrafted free
agent to make the squad. Jonathan, The reason I ask
all of that is to then bring it to this
question and just kind of think about it for a second.
If it makes sense when I ask it. If you
(05:38):
had gone out of Parkway North High School and you
have been able to do in the gymnasium the caps
of Maszoo and Illinois and you know, I'll throw what
you know Louisville in there whatever and get the pomp
and circumstance that comes with being a big recruit and
having that that stage right away for you. If it
(05:59):
had gone that wait for you, would we be having
this conversation with you as an NFL player.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
I mean, that's that's talks we get to have of
ourselves all the time. Like the law has planned every
step of my life, and everything has happened for a reason,
and I wouldn't want to change any other way it's happened,
Like I wouldn't change anything if I could go back
and do it over again, I wouldn't even say I
want to be drafted. Like everything that's happened has been
for my good and has benefited me so much, and
(06:29):
I can stand here today and say that with much confidence, like, man,
I wouldn't rewrite anything.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
So, yeah, is it weird to go into practice and
have to do reps and occasionally, you know, lay a
hit on Will Mallory knowing that you played for Kurt Mallory.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
It's funny. It's funny because like every time we see him,
I always see, well, it's like, man, like that was
my old coach next you, and we always have good conversations.
He always when I first got here, he made sure
to like introduce himself and God's here is just that's
just the model here, Like we just got guys with
great character, not only Will, but just the whole locker
room guys. That's welcoming from day one. But it's cool though,
(07:06):
because I went to the golf out of Indian the
state over in May and Will made his way over
there also, So it was cool knowing that. It's kind
of like, you know, people of the same people.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
So what did Kurt Mallory mean to you, not just
as a player, but just being away from home for
the first time perhaps and being in a new area
and just having that guidance. What did Kurt Mallory the
Man mean.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
To you coach Malley the man I really appreciate so
much because we have similar values here on the coach
that he has in the United State, like setting a
very high standard but having a high character while we
do everything. So it's like little things like being fifteen
minutes early to the meeting. It created good values for
me a young man to just want to not just
(07:53):
stroll in but just be a guy who can be
dependent on time, or just setting the standard in the
weight room, like being in it. It's not always for
glitz and glamour, but just me and somebody that just
wants to work hard and take the results that you
worked for. Honestly, I remember him saying words like us
working hard only gives us a chance. So if you
don't work hard, you don't have a chance at all.
(08:15):
But even if you work hard, winning games is hard.
So I just remember stuff like that, like saying like
we have that's the least we can do. Working hard
as the least you can do to give yourself a chance.
So little things like that I take away a lot.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
So Jonathan, I could probably sit here and talk to
you for three hours. I know you got places to
be and things to do. I didn't want to, and
I appreciate it. I think it's a great story right
in all of it. I'm curious of this in conclusion,
at what point did you realize that this was possibly
in the cards for you? At what point during camp
(08:48):
did you realize, you know what, I might make this
roster and this reality may be right here at my fingertips?
When did you realize that you looked like you were
going to be an player?
Speaker 2 (09:01):
You know? If I can be completely honest, Before going
into training camp, I told myself, like, I'm going to
treat every day the same and just prove that I
want to be here Indianapolis and be a coke. Like
that was my day by day mindset. Now, when gods
started to go down, I remember vividly like a joint,
(09:22):
the joint practice versus Baltimore, and I felt like more
confident out there. The game was slower and the game
started slow down. I started progressing because I've had I
had practices in training camp or it seemed like nothing
go right, Like I'm going against guys like Ad Right
and Alec Pierce and just like getting better but being
in the right position, but not being able to make
the play. But I feel like the turning point for
(09:43):
me was like the first joint practice first the Ravens
and then going to the first preasons game and in
the second preseason game, like that's why I felt like
I started to get my groove and starting to take
off from there and then finishing strong like I did
the last week. So I would say that that key
MoMA was, like I've been saying, was that first joint
practice from with the Ravens.
Speaker 1 (10:03):
So why the Colts? I mean when when it came
how many different franchises reached out to you out of
Tulane to offer you the opportunity or the or was
it kind of the Jonathan Edward story? This was the
place one place that reached out.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
It was it was amount of a good amount of
teams that reached out to myself and my agent about
me getting the opportunity to go on their team. But
really what stood out without me with the coaches, just
the coaching staff. They were the only team that gave
me a thirty Visit invited me over, Like I came
in right away and I felt like I clicked really
(10:37):
well with the coaches. I like, I love like the
first thing we seen, like all over the building. This
is them priortizing character and being time like those little
balues I've been used to all my life, like even
with my parents, been trained up that way. Like it
was so attractive to me, and then I just liked
how what the coach stood about and just like the
direction that going in, So that really was what won
(10:59):
me over.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
Well, Jonathan, listen, it's our job in what I do,
to have an objectivity and to not have favorites, not
have rooting interest those kinds of things. I have never
owned a Colt jersey, but if I do, it might
have to be a thirty five. I'm all in, man,
I'm all in on this. I'm pulling for you, and
we look forward to having you three times a week
on the show over the course of this. I'm kidding
(11:22):
there of course, but I do appreciate it, man.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
Time you need me.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
Man, I appreciate you so much for having me. It's
on the truth.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Well, we appreciate it. Go Trees, go Green Wave, and
go Calt. Jonathan Edwards, the corner for the Indianapolis Colts,
appreciate it. Thank you, great conversation and good stuff about
Indiana State joining us now and you know what, Eddie,
we completely drop the ball here when we booked and
(11:51):
scheduled for coach Stephanie White to come on because it's
not right at the top of the segment. We can't
do our typical musical bed intro. And I actually, and
maybe this was this was actually the sports radio gods
looking down upon us because Coach White had requested Taylor Swift.
And then she's really no, no Swifty intro, right, no
(12:13):
Swift intro, but she joins us nonetheless. Uh, Stephanie, I apologize.
I didn't think about the fact that we're not coming
right out of a break and we don't have Taylor
for you. Sorry, we lost you there for a second.
Now go ahead.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
I'm in a conspiracy right now.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
Well listen my apologies. What we will get. I've got
nothing against Taylor Swift. Now, are you a Taylor Swift
fan per se or is it just because she's been
in the news.
Speaker 3 (12:39):
Well, I'm a Taylor Swift fan. Tell my kids when,
especially when they were young, we would sing Taylor Swift
in the kitchen all day long. So yeah, Taylor Swift fan.
But yes, of course she's been in the news. So
we've got to send out a congratulations, right, Okay.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
Fair enough.
Speaker 4 (12:52):
Was Caitlyn Clark Okay, when the Travis Kelsey engagement came out,
we know she's a big Taylor Swift fan.
Speaker 3 (12:58):
She was, she was definitely celebrating. Okay, we began a
pretty Chiefs fan, So, I mean, what more could she
ask for?
Speaker 1 (13:05):
Actually? Yes, because not. And for those that don't know,
Kaitlyn Clark has been a Chief fan I believe growing
up because of her. You know, in Iowa, that's that's
kind of Chief territory. Let's get to that, which is
obviously the elephant in the room, Coach Stephanie White of
the Indiana Fever, and that is the announcement yesterday that
Kaitlyn Clark will miss the remainder of the season. At
(13:26):
the risk of being elementary with this, would this decision
have been the same if, for example, the situation was
different with the rest of your roster and you were
one hundred percent healthy and she was the only missing piece,
et cetera.
Speaker 3 (13:40):
Yeah, I would have been the same. I mean, you know,
we're at that point where you know, we want to
make sure that we are putting Caitlin's long term health
and wellness above everything. Else, and you know, making sure
that she's one hundred percent healthy and ready before she
returned was the priority, and you know, unfortunately, we just
kind of we've run out of time to get her
ready in the way that she would need to be
(14:02):
ready at this time of year.
Speaker 1 (14:04):
Which injury is it that is holding her back?
Speaker 3 (14:10):
I mean essentially the original injury in July, the groin,
and you think about you know, with the ankle, we
don't really know because she's been rehabbing broke both congruently,
so we could have been in the same position. It
certainly slowed the progress. But at the same time, you know,
with with soft tissue injuries and everything else, it's it's
just they're so tricky, you know. And Kitlyn's been doing
(14:33):
her part. I mean, she's been trying incredibly hard in
the weight room, working on the floor to get ready
because the intent was for her to return, and we
just we've just unfortunately run out of run, out of runway.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
You know, I look at it. Stephanie White is our guest,
the head coach of the Fever, and coach, I look
at it, and you tell me if there's an element
of this that is true. I know that you're disappointed
for Caitlyn Clark. I know that Kaitlyn Clark's disappointed. I
know that you're disappointed for or the fans, and I
know the fans are disappointed. But I also feel a
disappointment for the rest of the roster because I think
(15:09):
this is a year where you have players that have
been put in some of the most unusual circumstances that
you could see, and yet they have stayed the course,
and and it is owed to them to give them
the best opportunity to win games and get into the
postseason and win with it. What has been kind of
the mental, I guess approach of your roster with all
(15:33):
that has gone on.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
Yeah, you know, I've given these these women. I give
them a lot of credit. Now, first and foremost, they're
great human beings, and so their their ability to want
empathize with their teammates, but at the same time understand
that that that this is an opportunity for other teammates,
and and to to be flexible, to be resilient. I
(15:55):
mean all of these things. And I think that the
mindset of the team and the mentality of this team
is to do whatever it takes. And you know, we
We spoke so much early in the season about the
depth of our roster and how it's gonna be hard
for everybody to play and and what it looks like.
And because of the depth of our roster, we're still
in a situation where where we're fighting to get into
the playoffs in spite of everything that we've gone through,
(16:18):
and we've got you know, five players that we've we've
lost to now season ending injuries for which started at
various points in the season, and uh, and for our
team to just continue to put one foot in front
of the other, to continue to elevate the way that
they've played and elevate one another and position ourselves to be,
you know, right in the hunt where we are. I
(16:38):
think it's it's it's an incredible it's an incredible testament
to their mindset, their toughness, their resilience, their ability to
bounce back, their been ability to handle disappointments and then
fuel it in ways that that you're able to create positive,
positive outcomes.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
When you look at and I know there's basketball to
be played this year, coach. Okay, so I don't mean
it that way, but when you look at next year,
when you're you're getting ready with a full roster of health. Okay.
Do you look at the challenges this year as something
that will most benefit you in terms of just minutes
(17:14):
experience for your depth or is it more so psychological
experience and the mental advantage that can come with the
adversity they had to fight through this year.
Speaker 3 (17:24):
I think both, uh, you know, and when I when
I think about really the cultural roots that are that
are that are being grown and established and you know,
anchored in for lack of a better term, it's just
I think it's gonna it's gonna pay dividends for for
this group down the road in the future. I mean,
there's no substitute for experience and the the experience that
(17:47):
this group has had of constantly taking hits and disappointments
and frustrations and being able to weather the storm regardless.
The foundation is being built so where we're gonna be
able to handle those moments, can tinue to handle those
moments in games, and we're gonna be able to understand
what we have to do to push through tough moments
in games. And we're going to have now had that
(18:07):
experience throughout the course of this season to understand and
quite frankly, you know, be humbled enough to know how
important every moment is. And I think it's going to
pay dividends, you know, down the road and in the
future for this group.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
The Fever are in action tonight against the Chicago's Guy
seven thirty at the field House. Pregame at seven fifteen.
No Angel reaes for Chicago tonight. Coach. I wanted you
to if you could kind of expand on this, and
that is the decision with Caitlin Clark yesterday. I mean
that announcement and obviously I realize you guys were aware
that will probably well before that announcement. But what all
(18:46):
goes into that when you are taking a marquee player
like that and deciding the year is complete. How much
of that is player decision? How much of that is
franchise decision?
Speaker 4 (18:56):
You know?
Speaker 1 (18:57):
And just what all? How did she handle that determination?
Speaker 2 (19:04):
Well?
Speaker 3 (19:04):
I think first and foremost, you know, the the priority
of getting her in position that she could get out
there on the floor and be successful. You know that
that's giving as much time as needed, and that that's
you know, quite frankly, why why there's no timeline, It's
just you You want to make sure that she she
is is physically ready to go, that she's you know,
(19:27):
in a position where not just from a from a
health standpoint and wellness standpoint, but an endurance standpoint at
this point in the year. I mean that that growing
injury was middle of July and now we're we're almost
middle of September, and and for her, the work that
she's put in, I mean, you know, I'm I'm not
going to speak for Caitlin, but but as a former
athlete who's gone through injury, you know, it's it's it's tough,
(19:48):
and it's in frustrating any time that you feel like
you're not in a position that you want to be
in in spite of putting in all the work that
it takes. And so you know, it's it's a collaborate
of decision. It's lots of conversations. You know, we knew,
we knew that this that this road trip and being
able to see if we could get her on the
floor and get get contact on the floor was going
(20:09):
to be important, and and really wanted to make sure
that we were giving every opportunity for her to be
back and and and then you know, coming back and
just seeing that that we hadn't made the progress that
we'd hoped, and thinking about what kind of game shape
she would need to be in at this point in
the season, and and also how teams play her. I mean,
(20:31):
they play Caitlin Clark differently than they play anyone else
ninety four feet level of physicality, the endurance that's necessary,
uh to be able to to play quite honestly, playoff basketball,
because that's what every game right now. So it was
a collective, collective conversations, collective decisions, and ultimately, yes, it's frustrating,
she wants to be out there on the floor, and
(20:53):
yes it's frustrating we want her to be out there
on the floor, But again, our priority has always been
her long term health and wellness and and and we
don't want to sacrifice that.
Speaker 1 (21:01):
You dealt with injury as a player, and you're obviously
a competitor, do you now, and Caitlin Clark has not,
to my knowledge at least certainly in Iowa, had this
level of an injury that is lingered. Do you tutor
her a little bit or lean does she lean on
you in terms of understanding the emotional aspect and the
psychology that goes with being an elite athlete going through injury.
Speaker 3 (21:24):
I think she's got great resources myself. You know, Bree January, Kareema,
Christmas Kelly on our staff, you know, all of which
have gone through multiple injuries in season, out of season,
have gone through what it takes to rehab, the frustrations
of being injured, the isolation of being injured, and the
(21:44):
work that it takes to come back. I mean, so
I think she's got great resources that we're available to her.
She's also got other resources around her that she's able
to utilize. You know, I think the biggest thing is
is frustration and disappointment and then making sure you channel
that to the rehab and to the strength and conditioning
into all the things that it takes to put yourself
(22:05):
in position that when we come back in twenty twenty six,
we're one hundred percent healthy, ready to go.
Speaker 1 (22:09):
Okay, lastly, coach, and then we'll let you go. I
appreciate the time you talk about resources. This week, the
groundbreaking seventy eight million dollar sports performance dedicated specifically to
the fever. I've seen the Pacers facilities, so I know
how awesome it is, and now to have one that
is catered towards you know, specifically a women's basketball team
that will be how big for you and in what way?
Speaker 3 (22:32):
Oh, it's huge. I mean number one. As someone who
has been a part of this organization in various forms
since the beginning, it was an emotional day. The vision,
the belief, the commitment that the Simon family has made
to this organization from day one to now when it's
(22:52):
going to another level is just incredible. These women deserve it.
They're the best in the world. They deserve to have
the best in the world at their fingertips. And you know,
dedicated space that's not just for athletes but directly relegated
to female athletes and the needs of female athletes is huge.
And I think it continues to show that the Simon
(23:13):
family and our partners are want to be leaders in
women's sports and leaders in women's sports movement. I think
it's going to help us from a free agency standpoint.
It's going to reward you know, our past players, our
present players with the space that they deserve, and the
future players that we have that are coming into going
to come into the INDIANAFR organization understand how important and
(23:35):
what a priority their health and wellness.
Speaker 1 (23:37):
Is Fever and Action Tonight seven thirty pre game seven fifteen,
Eddie Garrison, We'll have it. It is the Fever and
the Chicago Sky. Stephanie White, the head coach on a
busy week for Indiana. Certainly appreciated coach. All right, thanks you,
Stephanie White. Joining us on the program. Big slate of
games in high school football upcoming. It's a Friday, means
(23:59):
that we get to talk about And last week, by
the way, so Crystal House is one of the teams
that I'm trying to back and support, and last week
I actually went online to look and see and their
game was the only unreported game. So I was like,
wait a minute, did they win or not win? And
(24:20):
I couldn't find any result for it whatsoever, And so
I'm not certain whether or not they won. I do
know this, Carmel and Kevin Wright is a guy that
I have known since he first started coaching high school football.
He was an assistant when I was in high school
at North Central. Of course, his dad a legend, and
(24:42):
I think Carmel's for real. That's one of the things
that we can talk about with our next guest.
Speaker 4 (24:48):
Speaking of lost and clueless. So we bring on Kyle
Needenrip from the NR.
Speaker 1 (24:52):
That's right, he joins us now and they always busy,
very busy. Today guest line, Kylendenrip joins the program. All right, Kyle,
I'll begin with this. I did not get a chance
to see and I'm going to put you on the
spot because you may not remember or have it all
the top of your head. Did Crystal House win last week?
Speaker 4 (25:08):
No, and I cannot remember who they played right now.
It's escaping me.
Speaker 1 (25:13):
It was the last It was the only unreported score
when I checked late last Friday night.
Speaker 4 (25:19):
I believe it was a team from Gary.
Speaker 1 (25:21):
Okay, let's begin with this and I'll start where I
was just talking. Carmel is for real? Are they not?
It looks like, you know, when Kevin Wright has had
success everywhere he has gone, Carmel has been a obviously
a rich tradition of football, but they had some down
years by their standards. But it looks like they are
(25:42):
for real. Tell me I'm wrong.
Speaker 4 (25:45):
No, you're definitely, You're definitely on track. You know, I
had a chance to see Carmel in person last week
against Westfield, and you know, expected a really good game.
And it was you know, Westfield fell behind big. It
was twenty to zero going in the halftime, and then
battled back. You know, we're within the ten with a
chance to cut it even further. And then the interception,
(26:05):
really nice play in the end zone by Carmel's defensive
back Grace and George. But from there Carmel kunt of role.
It was thirty four to ten. And you know, these
first two games, man, it's been very impressive what they've
done with fishers in Westfield these first two weeks. And
you know, from talking to Kevin in the preseason, you know,
I don't think he fully knew like what he had exactly.
(26:26):
You know, you're coming in after you know, a long
time away from the high school game, and you know
he was he believed he had a good team, but
you know, you don't know until you get out there. Well,
you know, the first two weeks they've been super impressive.
They went from outside the top ten to number three
in sixth a very quickly. So you know, I guess
the Carmel is Carmel back question will be answered, you
(26:49):
know later in this you know, obviously in the sectional
and beyond. But but yeah, they're definitely on the right track.
Their offense is just really dynamic and explosive and fast
pay and then you know their defense really played exceptional
against Westfield. And you know, I don't know if you
know there's there's many there. You know, definitely Brownsburg Center Grove.
(27:10):
You know we'll see I cover HCA avon tonight. I'm
curious to see both those teams. But you put them
right in the upper eschelon A six A I think
without the hesitation.
Speaker 1 (27:19):
Right now, you know one of the guys in the area,
Kyle Kyle Medreb from the Indianapolis Stars, our guest talking
high school football. Brandon Sharp at Brownsburg, I mean looks
like a like a Tyreek Hill kind of player. I mean,
you get him in space and let him go. Now,
I'm talking a very limited scope by which I've seen him,
and I was surprised to see I think he's a
junior that his offers lists to this point are not
(27:43):
to the level of I'm like, man, this guy looks unstoppable.
But part of that may be size. He's five eleven,
one sixty. Did I just see like a small sample
size where he looked unbelievable in particularly in the Cathedral game,
or is he, in fact one of the best players
in the area and one whose offers will only escalate,
They will definitely escalate.
Speaker 4 (28:02):
I think. I think you're on track with what maybe
why the you know the Alabama's and maybe Alabama's are
on considering their first game of the year. But uh,
you know some of the some of the blue blue
chip you know programs haven't offered yet, you know, and
he did visit Ohio State last weekend, So I'm curious.
You know, Ohio States a little bit later to offer normally,
(28:22):
just because they have the pick of the litter, uh,
you know when it comes to basically every position, but
certainly receiver. So uh, I'm curious to see what transpires,
you know, some of these other blue chip programs. I
think the only reason is really his size. I mean,
he's he's but you also look at where he'll play
in college. You know that that slot receiver probably I
would assume, and you know, he's so dynamic and so shifty,
(28:46):
you know, he's unlike a lot of players, uh that
that I see on Friday nights. I mean, so I
think that will only ramp up, you know, I I
can't imagine he won't have a you know, another you know,
chunk of offers that are going to be coming his way.
And you know, he had over a thousand yards as
a sophomore, so he can't really say he hasn't done it.
You know, he's done it at the six A level.
(29:07):
They won State. He's had two huge games already this season,
and anytime he touches the ball, he's a he's a
he's got a chance to take it to the house.
And I'm you know, I've seen him play for a while.
I know what kind of a player he is, and
you know, and he's got a great quarterback too, and
and a great team around him. But that that uh yeah,
you're right about sharp. He's he's a guy who can
(29:28):
you know, change a game in a hurry, and he's
done that throughout his career so far. So I think,
you know, he's only going to have more offers. If
he was you know, six four, six five, he'd be
a five star and you know, and that'd be over
with But but he'll he'll uh, you know, he'll get
his share for sure, and he's he's on the short
list of the most talented players in the state.
Speaker 1 (29:47):
Crystal House, by the way, tonight takes on Indianapolis Washington.
That's a game of two programs, the kids that are
working hard and programs that are trying to get things
going in the right direction. And they've got kids that
are working hard to do that. So we wish the
best of luck to both of those schools. I know
that you had mentioned on HC you're going to have tonight.
What other games tonight jump out at you, Kyle as
(30:08):
the big matchups?
Speaker 4 (30:11):
Yeah, it was Christas played the Homeschool out of Nobles,
So that's right. That was a That was a game
that we talked about a little bit last week. But yeah,
I would say some of the better games. You know,
it's kind of a week where all the conference games start,
you know, or a lot of them do anyway, So
a lot of the HCC they all play each other.
There's some mick games tonight. Uh there's the new conference.
(30:32):
You have a really good game tonight, Trenton Central plays
at Try West and there's a they made I seventy
four trophy to go with that. So that's pretty cool.
Speaker 3 (30:41):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (30:41):
That Legends who's your Legends conference? Is what that is?
That's the first game ever in that league. So but
then out of the heavyweight it's hc Avon. I mentioned
Ron College Guitard. That rivalry kicks up again tonight at Stard.
Interesting game too. East Central goes to Lawrence North, and
that's that's kind of a different game. You know. East
(31:03):
Central's A you know their four A by enrollment. They're
playing five A via the success factor. Lawrence North very
fast athletic team, So kind of a contrast of styles
a little bit there. You mentioned Brownsburg. They play Franklin
Central tonight. Both those teams two and oh and also
i'd say Sascinia Beach Grove is definitely a game to
watch those Both those teams are two and O and
(31:24):
put up some really good offensive numbers this year. And
then probably the other one be Plainfield Morsville in the
Mid State Conference, will be a will be a fun game,
I think in Plainfield has won the last two in
that series after Morrisville kind of had dominated for a
few years, so that that old rivalry gets renewed tonight
as well.
Speaker 1 (31:42):
The Mid State you know, you mentioned that seventy four trophy.
Now what they ought to do is like say Penalt
and Heights and Hamlin the Southeastern they should have an
I sixty nine trophy. It's just an orange cone that
they hand back and forth. Right, Is that right?
Speaker 4 (31:54):
There's probably a lot of highways you could do that far.
Speaker 1 (31:56):
Out there, especially right now, right, no question exactly. Hey,
Cathedral tonight taking on, you know, and Cathedral does this
a lot. They got Cincinnati Saint Xavier tonight. Cathedral's probably
the most tradition laden program in the area. And I
think a lot of times at the beginning of the
year you look at Cathedral and you think, boyd down
here for Cathedral. But I'll give them credit, they kind
(32:19):
of step outside themselves and really challenge themselves, typically earlier
in the year and then that paced dividend at the
end of the year in fact against Brownsburg? Is that
an example? Did we learn more about Brownsburg in that game?
Or Cathedral and what are we looking to learn about
them tonight?
Speaker 4 (32:36):
Definitely I think we learned about Brownsburg that there are
you know, because Cathedral, you know, first week of the season,
you know, they go out and be Ben Davis and
where they want ate nothing. I don't been Davis as
young and that sort of thing. But I mean to
hold Cathedral without a point to me that says a
lot about where kind of where Brownsburg's at right now. Cathedral,
the Saint Xavier game has been great for them. I
(32:57):
mean this has been you know, a game they have
gone back and forth the last several years, you know,
really close games every year, and Saint x is always
a team that's ranked real high in the nation in Ohio.
So it's a great test for them. I think the
you know, the key forer Cathedral is just like you
mentioned to just kind of you know, get better towards
(33:18):
the end of the year. Their record is never indicative
of how tough they are once they get to the tournament.
And really, you know a little bit different this year.
They've been playing six A. Now they're playing five A
this year. So really the game you know everybody probably
has circled is not even on the schedule yet. It's
it's that new pal game because they will likely see
each other down the road in the sectional so and
(33:38):
Playingfield's in there too, So you've got three teams that
are really strong. But probably the Newpaul Cathedral game is
is inevitable to some extent, and you know, you're just
kind of I know, coach Peebles likes his team. They're
they're a good team up front. They they've run the
ball really well and didn't have much success against Brownsburg.
But like I said, I think that speaks to Brownsburg
just has a lot of explode those explosive players. Cathedral
(34:02):
probably maybe not quite as many in comparison, but again,
a five A team, uh, that that will get tested.
They play Center Grove down the road, to which that
would be, you know, an interesting game to kind of
compare scores against. But uh, but yeah, I think they'll
be fine. I mean, I think the whole key for
them is to just get ready for that tournament run.
And probably whoever comes out of that sectional, you know,
(34:24):
in five A is is gonna be the favorite in
that class. You know, I I know there's other good
teams out there, but the winner of that newpal Cathedral
slash Plainfield sectional is is gonna have a really good chance.
Speaker 1 (34:36):
North Central, Warren Central, Tonight north Side east Side advantage too.
Speaker 4 (34:42):
I'm gonna say Warren, you know, and I like what
North Central's done. Uh, they got that big first win
and really the score last week. They played the hc
UH tougher than they have in the past, you know,
have in recent years. So but I'm gonna say Warren,
I like, really like the running back who has had
a couple of good games. They went up to Warsaw
(35:04):
last week and won twenty eight fourteen. That Warsaw team,
of course, played in the State five A finals, a
good program, went on the road and one. They're playing
some different quarterbacks, kind of mixing some guys in, but
Keon Thomas, they're running back. He went to visited Purdue
last weekend. He had a bucks seventy two last week
and three tds. He's really played well against center Grove.
(35:25):
He's tough, so I give them the slight advantage. But
North Central Javin Brooks definitely a name to know for
the Panthers. He had three catches for ninety four and
a touchdown last week in that lost to HC. So
North Central obviously very young. Still I think their best
best football's ahead of them, even in coming years. But
laying the groundwork I think for you know, for a
(35:47):
turnaround for that program.
Speaker 1 (35:48):
I said, come on when you said Warren over North Central,
but I think you're probably right. I'm realistic to it.
But nonetheless, thingame, what's that.
Speaker 4 (35:56):
Yeah, I think it'll be a good game.
Speaker 3 (35:58):
I do.
Speaker 4 (35:58):
I think I think Warren. You know, they're young too
in a lot of places and inexperience, so you got
you got a little bit of that on both sides tonight, Kyle.
Speaker 1 (36:06):
Appreciate it. Uh Avon hs is what you got, right.
Speaker 4 (36:10):
Yeah, I'll be out there Friday and we'll uh, you know,
we'll see what happens. Should be a great game.
Speaker 1 (36:14):
I appreciate it. Kyle Needrip joining us from the Indianapolis
Star
Jonathan Edwards is speaking of impressive. He has been exactly that,
which is why, as an undrafted free agent, he has
made the roster of the Indianapolis Colts as a cornerback
who comes by way of Tulane, but his first stop
at Indiana State and Parkway North High School in Saint Louis.
Joins us on the show. Jonathan, how are you.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
I'm doing well, Jake, how are you?
Speaker 1 (00:20):
I am great? Thank you? Now they said you had
an emergency meeting. Everything's okay, right, Oh.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Everything's good. Yeah, we just had a meeting of defense system,
knocking out some last man's players.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Only meeting, so okay, Well, we want to make sure
that everything's okay. And I don't want to take you
away from anything. It's of utter importance. Oh, let's begin
with this now. I know I was just talking about this.
I used to work in Saint Louis. I know a
little about Saint Louis and I know about Parkway North.
And feel free to disagree with me here. But in
Saint Louis, especially athletically, there are so many rivalries and
(00:53):
so many great athletes that are at the private parochial
schools like once the adjacent Tatum or a David Lee
like gets to a certain level end up at CBC
or De Smet And so I think sometimes like the
Parkway North's for example, or Central's, I'm not going to
say chip on the shoulder, but it doesn't get the
attention in Saint Louis like the other schools, and that
(01:13):
can kind of fuel a drive in you. Is that true?
And did you feel it?
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Absolutely? Like I remember growing up in high school always
being underlooked. You know, everybody talked about CBC, the Smith
you know, I don't know Trinity, that's not a school anymore,
but that was a popular school during my time high school.
And I just remember like always wishing that I had
a chance to be to compete with those guys more
often than we did, but definitely with a chip on
(01:41):
our shoulder from guys and public schools who we were
a class for school. So that definitely was something that
drove me.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
Well okay, and so with that you end up. You know,
other guys are going to say, you know, Missoo or
Illinois or you know, wherever it may be. And nothing
against Indiana State in any way, shape or form, but
you end up in Indiana State, which obviously you know
at that time you were not listed to say a
four or five star recruit. So was that And I
(02:12):
know Indiana State was good for you, don't get me wrong,
but but did that also did that drive in that
inferiority complex that you didn't want to settle in on you?
Did it continue to motivate you at that point?
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Absolutely. I remember me going to Indiana State and me remembering, like, God,
not to knock anybody, but you remember in high school
you see guys posting all over the place, how many
offers they're getting. Like you talked about Miszoo and Illinois,
Like I never received a letter or anything from Zoo
or Illinois. So I just remember, like, man, like that's
(02:45):
kind of crazy. I was an in state guy, never
having those opportunities or my name never being out there,
and then Indiana State taking a shot on me, and
then me being developed there and receiving great coach and
like you said, like it's a smaller school, but I've
been fitted most as a man train. They're developing my
game and getting to where I am now. So I
(03:05):
have to credit Indiana State coach Mallory a lot for
my progress over my younger years.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
And so therefore was it difficult, I guess to know that,
you know, here was a school, and I get the
respect and the love and the appreciation you have for
what Indiana State offered. But once again you kind of
had to take like this this gamble on yourself and say, look,
I need to get to a place where I'm going
to be seen. And even then you weren't necessarily seen it,
(03:34):
tu Lane, but take me through that whole process and
just kind of the mixed emotions of leaving that behind
because you knew you had to get to another level.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Yeah, it was a hard decision. I remember, like really
going back and forth with it. I remember I had,
you know, thought in my head when I was younger,
maybe I could leave, but I never felt like the
situation was right, and I didn't. I never was a
guy who just wanted to jump ship because seen like
it was on the other side. I wanted to graduate.
I wanted to just continue to develop my game, and
(04:06):
when that time came, I just had my head. I
had to take a shout out myself, like you said,
I want to get to the highest level. And then
even if she was in Tulane, I was thinking, like
because like the new playoff, and I had much belief
and coach Summer on what they were doing in the
lane and winning conference championships, and I was like, man,
we can have a chance to compete at the college playoff.
(04:26):
There was a need of the position, so I jumped
on Tulane because obviously, like there was a great opportunity
for me.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
And so yeah, but even then, after your year in
Tulane and you had a good year, right, but after
that year in Tulane, you still had to kind of
ship away and let other guys get seen before you.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Right, Yeah, Yeah, it's it's kind of been my story,
like like you said, like having just happened, just like
a sort of like had to be payment. It's being patient,
grinding and keeping my head down and not trying to
look at anybody else, being in my own land. That's
been the same song I've been singing all my life.
(05:07):
So it's like that's my motivation now, like staying ready,
staying of course, and keeping my head down and just working.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
My guest is Jonathan Edwards, the cornerback of the Colts,
the only member of the roster that was initially when
the fifty three man announced that was an undrafted free
agent to make the squad. Jonathan, The reason I ask
all of that is to then bring it to this
question and just kind of think about it for a second.
If it makes sense when I ask it. If you
(05:38):
had gone out of Parkway North High School and you
have been able to do in the gymnasium the caps
of Maszoo and Illinois and you know, I'll throw what
you know Louisville in there whatever and get the pomp
and circumstance that comes with being a big recruit and
having that that stage right away for you. If it
(05:59):
had gone that wait for you, would we be having
this conversation with you as an NFL player.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
I mean, that's that's talks we get to have of
ourselves all the time. Like the law has planned every
step of my life, and everything has happened for a reason,
and I wouldn't want to change any other way it's happened,
Like I wouldn't change anything if I could go back
and do it over again, I wouldn't even say I
want to be drafted. Like everything that's happened has been
for my good and has benefited me so much, and
(06:29):
I can stand here today and say that with much confidence, like, man,
I wouldn't rewrite anything.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
So, yeah, is it weird to go into practice and
have to do reps and occasionally, you know, lay a
hit on Will Mallory knowing that you played for Kurt Mallory.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
It's funny. It's funny because like every time we see him,
I always see, well, it's like, man, like that was
my old coach next you, and we always have good conversations.
He always when I first got here, he made sure
to like introduce himself and God's here is just that's
just the model here, Like we just got guys with
great character, not only Will, but just the whole locker
room guys. That's welcoming from day one. But it's cool though,
(07:06):
because I went to the golf out of Indian the
state over in May and Will made his way over
there also, So it was cool knowing that. It's kind
of like, you know, people of the same people.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
So what did Kurt Mallory mean to you, not just
as a player, but just being away from home for
the first time perhaps and being in a new area
and just having that guidance. What did Kurt Mallory the
Man mean.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
To you coach Malley the man I really appreciate so
much because we have similar values here on the coach
that he has in the United State, like setting a
very high standard but having a high character while we
do everything. So it's like little things like being fifteen
minutes early to the meeting. It created good values for
me a young man to just want to not just
(07:53):
stroll in but just be a guy who can be
dependent on time, or just setting the standard in the
weight room, like being in it. It's not always for
glitz and glamour, but just me and somebody that just
wants to work hard and take the results that you
worked for. Honestly, I remember him saying words like us
working hard only gives us a chance. So if you
don't work hard, you don't have a chance at all.
(08:15):
But even if you work hard, winning games is hard.
So I just remember stuff like that, like saying like
we have that's the least we can do. Working hard
as the least you can do to give yourself a chance.
So little things like that I take away a lot.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
So Jonathan, I could probably sit here and talk to
you for three hours. I know you got places to
be and things to do. I didn't want to, and
I appreciate it. I think it's a great story right
in all of it. I'm curious of this in conclusion,
at what point did you realize that this was possibly
in the cards for you? At what point during camp
(08:48):
did you realize, you know what, I might make this
roster and this reality may be right here at my fingertips?
When did you realize that you looked like you were
going to be an player?
Speaker 2 (09:01):
You know? If I can be completely honest, Before going
into training camp, I told myself, like, I'm going to
treat every day the same and just prove that I
want to be here Indianapolis and be a coke. Like
that was my day by day mindset. Now, when gods
started to go down, I remember vividly like a joint,
(09:22):
the joint practice versus Baltimore, and I felt like more
confident out there. The game was slower and the game
started slow down. I started progressing because I've had I
had practices in training camp or it seemed like nothing
go right, Like I'm going against guys like Ad Right
and Alec Pierce and just like getting better but being
in the right position, but not being able to make
the play. But I feel like the turning point for
(09:43):
me was like the first joint practice first the Ravens
and then going to the first preasons game and in
the second preseason game, like that's why I felt like
I started to get my groove and starting to take
off from there and then finishing strong like I did
the last week. So I would say that that key
MoMA was, like I've been saying, was that first joint
practice from with the Ravens.
Speaker 1 (10:03):
So why the Colts? I mean when when it came
how many different franchises reached out to you out of
Tulane to offer you the opportunity or the or was
it kind of the Jonathan Edward story? This was the
place one place that reached out.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
It was it was amount of a good amount of
teams that reached out to myself and my agent about
me getting the opportunity to go on their team. But
really what stood out without me with the coaches, just
the coaching staff. They were the only team that gave
me a thirty Visit invited me over, Like I came
in right away and I felt like I clicked really
(10:37):
well with the coaches. I like, I love like the
first thing we seen, like all over the building. This
is them priortizing character and being time like those little
balues I've been used to all my life, like even
with my parents, been trained up that way. Like it
was so attractive to me, and then I just liked
how what the coach stood about and just like the
direction that going in, So that really was what won
(10:59):
me over.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
Well, Jonathan, listen, it's our job in what I do,
to have an objectivity and to not have favorites, not
have rooting interest those kinds of things. I have never
owned a Colt jersey, but if I do, it might
have to be a thirty five. I'm all in, man,
I'm all in on this. I'm pulling for you, and
we look forward to having you three times a week
on the show over the course of this. I'm kidding
(11:22):
there of course, but I do appreciate it, man.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
Time you need me.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
Man, I appreciate you so much for having me. It's
on the truth.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Well, we appreciate it. Go Trees, go Green Wave, and
go Calt. Jonathan Edwards, the corner for the Indianapolis Colts,
appreciate it. Thank you, great conversation and good stuff about
Indiana State joining us now and you know what, Eddie,
we completely drop the ball here when we booked and
(11:51):
scheduled for coach Stephanie White to come on because it's
not right at the top of the segment. We can't
do our typical musical bed intro. And I actually, and
maybe this was this was actually the sports radio gods
looking down upon us because Coach White had requested Taylor Swift.
And then she's really no, no Swifty intro, right, no
(12:13):
Swift intro, but she joins us nonetheless. Uh, Stephanie, I apologize.
I didn't think about the fact that we're not coming
right out of a break and we don't have Taylor
for you. Sorry, we lost you there for a second.
Now go ahead.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
I'm in a conspiracy right now.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
Well listen my apologies. What we will get. I've got
nothing against Taylor Swift. Now, are you a Taylor Swift
fan per se or is it just because she's been
in the news.
Speaker 3 (12:39):
Well, I'm a Taylor Swift fan. Tell my kids when,
especially when they were young, we would sing Taylor Swift
in the kitchen all day long. So yeah, Taylor Swift fan.
But yes, of course she's been in the news. So
we've got to send out a congratulations, right, Okay.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
Fair enough.
Speaker 4 (12:52):
Was Caitlyn Clark Okay, when the Travis Kelsey engagement came out,
we know she's a big Taylor Swift fan.
Speaker 3 (12:58):
She was, she was definitely celebrating. Okay, we began a
pretty Chiefs fan, So, I mean, what more could she
ask for?
Speaker 1 (13:05):
Actually? Yes, because not. And for those that don't know,
Kaitlyn Clark has been a Chief fan I believe growing
up because of her. You know, in Iowa, that's that's
kind of Chief territory. Let's get to that, which is
obviously the elephant in the room, Coach Stephanie White of
the Indiana Fever, and that is the announcement yesterday that
Kaitlyn Clark will miss the remainder of the season. At
(13:26):
the risk of being elementary with this, would this decision
have been the same if, for example, the situation was
different with the rest of your roster and you were
one hundred percent healthy and she was the only missing piece,
et cetera.
Speaker 3 (13:40):
Yeah, I would have been the same. I mean, you know,
we're at that point where you know, we want to
make sure that we are putting Caitlin's long term health
and wellness above everything. Else, and you know, making sure
that she's one hundred percent healthy and ready before she
returned was the priority, and you know, unfortunately, we just
kind of we've run out of time to get her
ready in the way that she would need to be
(14:02):
ready at this time of year.
Speaker 1 (14:04):
Which injury is it that is holding her back?
Speaker 3 (14:10):
I mean essentially the original injury in July, the groin,
and you think about you know, with the ankle, we
don't really know because she's been rehabbing broke both congruently,
so we could have been in the same position. It
certainly slowed the progress. But at the same time, you know,
with with soft tissue injuries and everything else, it's it's
just they're so tricky, you know. And Kitlyn's been doing
(14:33):
her part. I mean, she's been trying incredibly hard in
the weight room, working on the floor to get ready
because the intent was for her to return, and we
just we've just unfortunately run out of run, out of runway.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
You know, I look at it. Stephanie White is our guest,
the head coach of the Fever, and coach, I look
at it, and you tell me if there's an element
of this that is true. I know that you're disappointed
for Caitlyn Clark. I know that Kaitlyn Clark's disappointed. I
know that you're disappointed for or the fans, and I
know the fans are disappointed. But I also feel a
disappointment for the rest of the roster because I think
(15:09):
this is a year where you have players that have
been put in some of the most unusual circumstances that
you could see, and yet they have stayed the course,
and and it is owed to them to give them
the best opportunity to win games and get into the
postseason and win with it. What has been kind of
the mental, I guess approach of your roster with all
(15:33):
that has gone on.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
Yeah, you know, I've given these these women. I give
them a lot of credit. Now, first and foremost, they're
great human beings, and so their their ability to want
empathize with their teammates, but at the same time understand
that that that this is an opportunity for other teammates,
and and to to be flexible, to be resilient. I
(15:55):
mean all of these things. And I think that the
mindset of the team and the mentality of this team
is to do whatever it takes. And you know, we
We spoke so much early in the season about the
depth of our roster and how it's gonna be hard
for everybody to play and and what it looks like.
And because of the depth of our roster, we're still
in a situation where where we're fighting to get into
the playoffs in spite of everything that we've gone through,
(16:18):
and we've got you know, five players that we've we've
lost to now season ending injuries for which started at
various points in the season, and uh, and for our
team to just continue to put one foot in front
of the other, to continue to elevate the way that
they've played and elevate one another and position ourselves to be,
you know, right in the hunt where we are. I
(16:38):
think it's it's it's an incredible it's an incredible testament
to their mindset, their toughness, their resilience, their ability to
bounce back, their been ability to handle disappointments and then
fuel it in ways that that you're able to create positive,
positive outcomes.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
When you look at and I know there's basketball to
be played this year, coach. Okay, so I don't mean
it that way, but when you look at next year,
when you're you're getting ready with a full roster of health. Okay.
Do you look at the challenges this year as something
that will most benefit you in terms of just minutes
(17:14):
experience for your depth or is it more so psychological
experience and the mental advantage that can come with the
adversity they had to fight through this year.
Speaker 3 (17:24):
I think both, uh, you know, and when I when
I think about really the cultural roots that are that
are that are being grown and established and you know,
anchored in for lack of a better term, it's just
I think it's gonna it's gonna pay dividends for for
this group down the road in the future. I mean,
there's no substitute for experience and the the experience that
(17:47):
this group has had of constantly taking hits and disappointments
and frustrations and being able to weather the storm regardless.
The foundation is being built so where we're gonna be
able to handle those moments, can tinue to handle those
moments in games, and we're gonna be able to understand
what we have to do to push through tough moments
in games. And we're going to have now had that
(18:07):
experience throughout the course of this season to understand and
quite frankly, you know, be humbled enough to know how
important every moment is. And I think it's going to
pay dividends, you know, down the road and in the
future for this group.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
The Fever are in action tonight against the Chicago's Guy
seven thirty at the field House. Pregame at seven fifteen.
No Angel reaes for Chicago tonight. Coach. I wanted you
to if you could kind of expand on this, and
that is the decision with Caitlin Clark yesterday. I mean
that announcement and obviously I realize you guys were aware
that will probably well before that announcement. But what all
(18:46):
goes into that when you are taking a marquee player
like that and deciding the year is complete. How much
of that is player decision? How much of that is
franchise decision?
Speaker 4 (18:56):
You know?
Speaker 1 (18:57):
And just what all? How did she handle that determination?
Speaker 2 (19:04):
Well?
Speaker 3 (19:04):
I think first and foremost, you know, the the priority
of getting her in position that she could get out
there on the floor and be successful. You know that
that's giving as much time as needed, and that that's
you know, quite frankly, why why there's no timeline, It's
just you You want to make sure that she she
is is physically ready to go, that she's you know,
(19:27):
in a position where not just from a from a
health standpoint and wellness standpoint, but an endurance standpoint at
this point in the year. I mean that that growing
injury was middle of July and now we're we're almost
middle of September, and and for her, the work that
she's put in, I mean, you know, I'm I'm not
going to speak for Caitlin, but but as a former
athlete who's gone through injury, you know, it's it's it's tough,
(19:48):
and it's in frustrating any time that you feel like
you're not in a position that you want to be
in in spite of putting in all the work that
it takes. And so you know, it's it's a collaborate
of decision. It's lots of conversations. You know, we knew,
we knew that this that this road trip and being
able to see if we could get her on the
floor and get get contact on the floor was going
(20:09):
to be important, and and really wanted to make sure
that we were giving every opportunity for her to be
back and and and then you know, coming back and
just seeing that that we hadn't made the progress that
we'd hoped, and thinking about what kind of game shape
she would need to be in at this point in
the season, and and also how teams play her. I mean,
(20:31):
they play Caitlin Clark differently than they play anyone else
ninety four feet level of physicality, the endurance that's necessary,
uh to be able to to play quite honestly, playoff basketball,
because that's what every game right now. So it was
a collective, collective conversations, collective decisions, and ultimately, yes, it's frustrating,
she wants to be out there on the floor, and
(20:53):
yes it's frustrating we want her to be out there
on the floor, But again, our priority has always been
her long term health and wellness and and and we
don't want to sacrifice that.
Speaker 1 (21:01):
You dealt with injury as a player, and you're obviously
a competitor, do you now, and Caitlin Clark has not,
to my knowledge at least certainly in Iowa, had this
level of an injury that is lingered. Do you tutor
her a little bit or lean does she lean on
you in terms of understanding the emotional aspect and the
psychology that goes with being an elite athlete going through injury.
Speaker 3 (21:24):
I think she's got great resources myself. You know, Bree January, Kareema,
Christmas Kelly on our staff, you know, all of which
have gone through multiple injuries in season, out of season,
have gone through what it takes to rehab, the frustrations
of being injured, the isolation of being injured, and the
(21:44):
work that it takes to come back. I mean, so
I think she's got great resources that we're available to her.
She's also got other resources around her that she's able
to utilize. You know, I think the biggest thing is
is frustration and disappointment and then making sure you channel
that to the rehab and to the strength and conditioning
into all the things that it takes to put yourself
(22:05):
in position that when we come back in twenty twenty six,
we're one hundred percent healthy, ready to go.
Speaker 1 (22:09):
Okay, lastly, coach, and then we'll let you go. I
appreciate the time you talk about resources. This week, the
groundbreaking seventy eight million dollar sports performance dedicated specifically to
the fever. I've seen the Pacers facilities, so I know
how awesome it is, and now to have one that
is catered towards you know, specifically a women's basketball team
that will be how big for you and in what way?
Speaker 3 (22:32):
Oh, it's huge. I mean number one. As someone who
has been a part of this organization in various forms
since the beginning, it was an emotional day. The vision,
the belief, the commitment that the Simon family has made
to this organization from day one to now when it's
(22:52):
going to another level is just incredible. These women deserve it.
They're the best in the world. They deserve to have
the best in the world at their fingertips. And you know,
dedicated space that's not just for athletes but directly relegated
to female athletes and the needs of female athletes is huge.
And I think it continues to show that the Simon
(23:13):
family and our partners are want to be leaders in
women's sports and leaders in women's sports movement. I think
it's going to help us from a free agency standpoint.
It's going to reward you know, our past players, our
present players with the space that they deserve, and the
future players that we have that are coming into going
to come into the INDIANAFR organization understand how important and
(23:35):
what a priority their health and wellness.
Speaker 1 (23:37):
Is Fever and Action Tonight seven thirty pre game seven fifteen,
Eddie Garrison, We'll have it. It is the Fever and
the Chicago Sky. Stephanie White, the head coach on a
busy week for Indiana. Certainly appreciated coach. All right, thanks you,
Stephanie White. Joining us on the program. Big slate of
games in high school football upcoming. It's a Friday, means
(23:59):
that we get to talk about And last week, by
the way, so Crystal House is one of the teams
that I'm trying to back and support, and last week
I actually went online to look and see and their
game was the only unreported game. So I was like,
wait a minute, did they win or not win? And
(24:20):
I couldn't find any result for it whatsoever, And so
I'm not certain whether or not they won. I do
know this, Carmel and Kevin Wright is a guy that
I have known since he first started coaching high school football.
He was an assistant when I was in high school
at North Central. Of course, his dad a legend, and
(24:42):
I think Carmel's for real. That's one of the things
that we can talk about with our next guest.
Speaker 4 (24:48):
Speaking of lost and clueless. So we bring on Kyle
Needenrip from the NR.
Speaker 1 (24:52):
That's right, he joins us now and they always busy,
very busy. Today guest line, Kylendenrip joins the program. All right, Kyle,
I'll begin with this. I did not get a chance
to see and I'm going to put you on the
spot because you may not remember or have it all
the top of your head. Did Crystal House win last week?
Speaker 4 (25:08):
No, and I cannot remember who they played right now.
It's escaping me.
Speaker 1 (25:13):
It was the last It was the only unreported score
when I checked late last Friday night.
Speaker 4 (25:19):
I believe it was a team from Gary.
Speaker 1 (25:21):
Okay, let's begin with this and I'll start where I
was just talking. Carmel is for real? Are they not?
It looks like, you know, when Kevin Wright has had
success everywhere he has gone, Carmel has been a obviously
a rich tradition of football, but they had some down
years by their standards. But it looks like they are
(25:42):
for real. Tell me I'm wrong.
Speaker 4 (25:45):
No, you're definitely, You're definitely on track. You know, I
had a chance to see Carmel in person last week
against Westfield, and you know, expected a really good game.
And it was you know, Westfield fell behind big. It
was twenty to zero going in the halftime, and then
battled back. You know, we're within the ten with a
chance to cut it even further. And then the interception,
(26:05):
really nice play in the end zone by Carmel's defensive
back Grace and George. But from there Carmel kunt of role.
It was thirty four to ten. And you know, these
first two games, man, it's been very impressive what they've
done with fishers in Westfield these first two weeks. And
you know, from talking to Kevin in the preseason, you know,
I don't think he fully knew like what he had exactly.
(26:26):
You know, you're coming in after you know, a long
time away from the high school game, and you know
he was he believed he had a good team, but
you know, you don't know until you get out there. Well,
you know, the first two weeks they've been super impressive.
They went from outside the top ten to number three
in sixth a very quickly. So you know, I guess
the Carmel is Carmel back question will be answered, you
(26:49):
know later in this you know, obviously in the sectional
and beyond. But but yeah, they're definitely on the right track.
Their offense is just really dynamic and explosive and fast
pay and then you know their defense really played exceptional
against Westfield. And you know, I don't know if you
know there's there's many there. You know, definitely Brownsburg Center Grove.
(27:10):
You know we'll see I cover HCA avon tonight. I'm
curious to see both those teams. But you put them
right in the upper eschelon A six A I think
without the hesitation.
Speaker 1 (27:19):
Right now, you know one of the guys in the area,
Kyle Kyle Medreb from the Indianapolis Stars, our guest talking
high school football. Brandon Sharp at Brownsburg, I mean looks
like a like a Tyreek Hill kind of player. I mean,
you get him in space and let him go. Now,
I'm talking a very limited scope by which I've seen him,
and I was surprised to see I think he's a
junior that his offers lists to this point are not
(27:43):
to the level of I'm like, man, this guy looks unstoppable.
But part of that may be size. He's five eleven,
one sixty. Did I just see like a small sample
size where he looked unbelievable in particularly in the Cathedral game,
or is he, in fact one of the best players
in the area and one whose offers will only escalate,
They will definitely escalate.
Speaker 4 (28:02):
I think. I think you're on track with what maybe
why the you know the Alabama's and maybe Alabama's are
on considering their first game of the year. But uh,
you know some of the some of the blue blue
chip you know programs haven't offered yet, you know, and
he did visit Ohio State last weekend, So I'm curious.
You know, Ohio States a little bit later to offer normally,
(28:22):
just because they have the pick of the litter, uh,
you know when it comes to basically every position, but
certainly receiver. So uh, I'm curious to see what transpires,
you know, some of these other blue chip programs. I
think the only reason is really his size. I mean,
he's he's but you also look at where he'll play
in college. You know that that slot receiver probably I
would assume, and you know, he's so dynamic and so shifty,
(28:46):
you know, he's unlike a lot of players, uh that
that I see on Friday nights. I mean, so I
think that will only ramp up, you know, I I
can't imagine he won't have a you know, another you know,
chunk of offers that are going to be coming his way.
And you know, he had over a thousand yards as
a sophomore, so he can't really say he hasn't done it.
You know, he's done it at the six A level.
(29:07):
They won State. He's had two huge games already this season,
and anytime he touches the ball, he's a he's a
he's got a chance to take it to the house.
And I'm you know, I've seen him play for a while.
I know what kind of a player he is, and
you know, and he's got a great quarterback too, and
and a great team around him. But that that uh yeah,
you're right about sharp. He's he's a guy who can
(29:28):
you know, change a game in a hurry, and he's
done that throughout his career so far. So I think,
you know, he's only going to have more offers. If
he was you know, six four, six five, he'd be
a five star and you know, and that'd be over
with But but he'll he'll uh, you know, he'll get
his share for sure, and he's he's on the short
list of the most talented players in the state.
Speaker 1 (29:47):
Crystal House, by the way, tonight takes on Indianapolis Washington.
That's a game of two programs, the kids that are
working hard and programs that are trying to get things
going in the right direction. And they've got kids that
are working hard to do that. So we wish the
best of luck to both of those schools. I know
that you had mentioned on HC you're going to have tonight.
What other games tonight jump out at you, Kyle as
(30:08):
the big matchups?
Speaker 4 (30:11):
Yeah, it was Christas played the Homeschool out of Nobles,
So that's right. That was a That was a game
that we talked about a little bit last week. But yeah,
I would say some of the better games. You know,
it's kind of a week where all the conference games start,
you know, or a lot of them do anyway, So
a lot of the HCC they all play each other.
There's some mick games tonight. Uh there's the new conference.
(30:32):
You have a really good game tonight, Trenton Central plays
at Try West and there's a they made I seventy
four trophy to go with that. So that's pretty cool.
Speaker 3 (30:41):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (30:41):
That Legends who's your Legends conference? Is what that is?
That's the first game ever in that league. So but
then out of the heavyweight it's hc Avon. I mentioned
Ron College Guitard. That rivalry kicks up again tonight at Stard.
Interesting game too. East Central goes to Lawrence North, and
that's that's kind of a different game. You know. East
(31:03):
Central's A you know their four A by enrollment. They're
playing five A via the success factor. Lawrence North very
fast athletic team, So kind of a contrast of styles
a little bit there. You mentioned Brownsburg. They play Franklin
Central tonight. Both those teams two and oh and also
i'd say Sascinia Beach Grove is definitely a game to
watch those Both those teams are two and O and
(31:24):
put up some really good offensive numbers this year. And
then probably the other one be Plainfield Morsville in the
Mid State Conference, will be a will be a fun game,
I think in Plainfield has won the last two in
that series after Morrisville kind of had dominated for a
few years, so that that old rivalry gets renewed tonight
as well.
Speaker 1 (31:42):
The Mid State you know, you mentioned that seventy four trophy.
Now what they ought to do is like say Penalt
and Heights and Hamlin the Southeastern they should have an
I sixty nine trophy. It's just an orange cone that
they hand back and forth. Right, Is that right?
Speaker 4 (31:54):
There's probably a lot of highways you could do that far.
Speaker 1 (31:56):
Out there, especially right now, right, no question exactly. Hey,
Cathedral tonight taking on, you know, and Cathedral does this
a lot. They got Cincinnati Saint Xavier tonight. Cathedral's probably
the most tradition laden program in the area. And I
think a lot of times at the beginning of the
year you look at Cathedral and you think, boyd down
here for Cathedral. But I'll give them credit, they kind
(32:19):
of step outside themselves and really challenge themselves, typically earlier
in the year and then that paced dividend at the
end of the year in fact against Brownsburg? Is that
an example? Did we learn more about Brownsburg in that game?
Or Cathedral and what are we looking to learn about
them tonight?
Speaker 4 (32:36):
Definitely I think we learned about Brownsburg that there are
you know, because Cathedral, you know, first week of the season,
you know, they go out and be Ben Davis and
where they want ate nothing. I don't been Davis as
young and that sort of thing. But I mean to
hold Cathedral without a point to me that says a
lot about where kind of where Brownsburg's at right now. Cathedral,
the Saint Xavier game has been great for them. I
(32:57):
mean this has been you know, a game they have
gone back and forth the last several years, you know,
really close games every year, and Saint x is always
a team that's ranked real high in the nation in Ohio.
So it's a great test for them. I think the
you know, the key forer Cathedral is just like you
mentioned to just kind of you know, get better towards
(33:18):
the end of the year. Their record is never indicative
of how tough they are once they get to the tournament.
And really, you know a little bit different this year.
They've been playing six A. Now they're playing five A
this year. So really the game you know everybody probably
has circled is not even on the schedule yet. It's
it's that new pal game because they will likely see
each other down the road in the sectional so and
(33:38):
Playingfield's in there too, So you've got three teams that
are really strong. But probably the Newpaul Cathedral game is
is inevitable to some extent, and you know, you're just
kind of I know, coach Peebles likes his team. They're
they're a good team up front. They they've run the
ball really well and didn't have much success against Brownsburg.
But like I said, I think that speaks to Brownsburg
just has a lot of explode those explosive players. Cathedral
(34:02):
probably maybe not quite as many in comparison, but again,
a five A team, uh, that that will get tested.
They play Center Grove down the road, to which that
would be, you know, an interesting game to kind of
compare scores against. But uh, but yeah, I think they'll
be fine. I mean, I think the whole key for
them is to just get ready for that tournament run.
And probably whoever comes out of that sectional, you know,
(34:24):
in five A is is gonna be the favorite in
that class. You know, I I know there's other good
teams out there, but the winner of that newpal Cathedral
slash Plainfield sectional is is gonna have a really good chance.
Speaker 1 (34:36):
North Central, Warren Central, Tonight north Side east Side advantage too.
Speaker 4 (34:42):
I'm gonna say Warren, you know, and I like what
North Central's done. Uh, they got that big first win
and really the score last week. They played the hc
UH tougher than they have in the past, you know,
have in recent years. So but I'm gonna say Warren,
I like, really like the running back who has had
a couple of good games. They went up to Warsaw
(35:04):
last week and won twenty eight fourteen. That Warsaw team,
of course, played in the State five A finals, a
good program, went on the road and one. They're playing
some different quarterbacks, kind of mixing some guys in, but
Keon Thomas, they're running back. He went to visited Purdue
last weekend. He had a bucks seventy two last week
and three tds. He's really played well against center Grove.
(35:25):
He's tough, so I give them the slight advantage. But
North Central Javin Brooks definitely a name to know for
the Panthers. He had three catches for ninety four and
a touchdown last week in that lost to HC. So
North Central obviously very young. Still I think their best
best football's ahead of them, even in coming years. But
laying the groundwork I think for you know, for a
(35:47):
turnaround for that program.
Speaker 1 (35:48):
I said, come on when you said Warren over North Central,
but I think you're probably right. I'm realistic to it.
But nonetheless, thingame, what's that.
Speaker 4 (35:56):
Yeah, I think it'll be a good game.
Speaker 3 (35:58):
I do.
Speaker 4 (35:58):
I think I think Warren. You know, they're young too
in a lot of places and inexperience, so you got
you got a little bit of that on both sides tonight, Kyle.
Speaker 1 (36:06):
Appreciate it. Uh Avon hs is what you got, right.
Speaker 4 (36:10):
Yeah, I'll be out there Friday and we'll uh, you know,
we'll see what happens. Should be a great game.
Speaker 1 (36:14):
I appreciate it. Kyle Needrip joining us from the Indianapolis
Star
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