Cardinal Ritter looks to add to trophy case

Since 2006, there may not be a better team in the state than the Cardinal Ritter Raiders. Consider this – over the last 14 years, Cardinal Ritter has played for a state title five times, all coming under head coach Ty Hunt. The Raiders have won three titles, including an undefeated 15-0 campaign in 2008. This season, Hunt and his program look to make another deep run in the playoffs and add another state championship trophy to the case. However, the Raiders have some crucial spots to fill this year, beginning with the quarterback position, if they are going to improve on last year’s 7-5 season. A year ago, Jack Henniger threw for 2,033 yards and 13 touchdowns. While Henniger is gone, Cardinal Ritter does bring back some nice options on both sides of the ball. Justin Browder is a junior, who plays safety, wide receiver and running back and runs a 4.65 40-yard dash. Last year, he was named to the AP Class 3A All-State Team as an honorable mention and was an Indiana Football Coaches Association All-State selection. He finished with 379 yards on the ground, 353 receiving yards and notched 42 stops. Hunt said Browder is an all-around great athlete. Joining him in the backfield is senior Ashton Hall, who also plays defensive end. “He has great weight room leg strength and has the ability to run over people,” Hunt said. That was evident last year as Hall rushed for 605 yards and six touchdowns. Defensively, he added 40 tackles. Also back is Timmy Godsil, a senior tight end/outside linebacker. Godsil was named to the Indiana Football Coaches Association All-State team last year, as well as the AP Class 3A All-State Team. He has been invited to Ball State and has an offer by the University of Findlay. Last season, he reeled in 27 catches for 493 yards and three touchdowns, while accounting for 60 tackles. Senior Antwaan Dix is back at the defensive end position and enters fresh off a 20 sack performance, which was best in the state, and 77 total tackles. Aaron Roberts returns for Cardinal Ritter on the offensive and defensive lines. The 6-foot-5-inch, 295 pound standout earned All-State honors last year and has been invited to Notre Dame. “He was voted as team offensive line MVP, Team Captain and was recently voted as a Preseason Top 25 for Indiana,” Hunt said. He was invited to Junior Day by Indiana, Kansas, Illinois State, Ball State, Northern Illinois, Central Michigan, Southern Illinois, Western Michigan and Indiana State, along with Notre Dame. Currently, he has been offered by Indiana State and Valparaiso and offered a preferred walk on by Purdue. The Raiders open their season Aug. 21 at home against Monrovia.