2026 Team Preview: South Dearborn Ready to Get the "Show on the Road"

The Knights will play their first four games on the road.

Head Coach: Rand Ballart (51-62 in 12th year)
2025: 5-6 (lost to Greensburg in the sectional semifinals)
Players Lost to Graduation: Brady Ballart (LB/RB), Colton McClure (RB/DB), Elliot Meek (DE/TE), Tyeler Gulden (DB/RB), Colt Hensley (OL/DL), Aiden Davidson (DL/OL), Eli Sizemore (DL)

Crunch Time Episode: Crunch Time - August 10, 2026 - Crunch Time - Eagle Country 99.3

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South Dearborn got off to a hot start in 2025, winning four of their first five games. They would drop the next four games heading into sectional play before avenging a regular season loss to Rushville in the first round of the tournament play (49-0). 

The Knights ultimately fell to Greensburg in the sectional semifinals (23-14), ending their season with a 5-6 record. 

South Dearborn lost a small but impactful senior class to graduation, including current University of Louisville linebacker Brady Ballart. A bigger senior class in 2026 hopes to lead the Knights their first winning season since 2022. 

The Knights will begin the season with four straight road games but will enjoy four of their last five games of the regular season at beautiful Backman Field.

OFFENSE

The Knights averaged 25.2 points per game in 2025. They ran the ball 65 percent of the time accounting for 1,550 yards and 19 touchdowns. Through the air, South Dearborn played two first-year varsity quarterbacks, who combined for 1,333 yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. 

Heading into 2026, the Knights will lean on junior quarterback Hunter Jones to lead the offense. 

Jones took over as the starter late in the season and threw for 484 yards and three touchdowns in five appearances. 

The soon-to-be full-time starter will have some tremendous wideouts to target down the field. Senior Wyatt Adams is back after totaling 635 yards and five touchdowns a season ago. Tyler Christian will flank Adams with exceptional athleticism, and Jason Chipman is another reliable big target. 

Senior Mason "Big Daddy" Lane is South Dearborn's top returning rusher, going for 629 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior. Braxton Gross and Max Petrungaro will see their workload increase from 2025 to 2026. 

On the offensive line, the Knights will start four seniors and one junior. Mariano Flores and Landon Shackelford return with starting experience. Carson Vinson, Eli Powell, and Brock Gutherie round out the starting unit. 

DEFENSE 

Mason Lane enters the 2026 season as the Knights' leading tackler (57, 10 tackles for a loss from a season ago. He will anchor the Knights' defensive line along with fellow seniors Drake Lee and Evan Mobley. Junior Daniel Ball and freshman Liam Vincent (6'2", 305) provide depth up front. 

At linebacker, Jackson Johnson moves to middle linebacker, replacing Top 50 All-State linebacker Brady Ballart. Johnson will be flanked by Jason Chipman and Brycen Gilbert. Brandon Hibbard is also expected to see time at linebacker. 

In the secondary, Tyler Christian and Levi Walston have solidified their spots at cornerback. Kaiden Wessel and Wyatt Jones are the safeties. AJ Kunkel and Sam Gates (currently out) will also work in the secondary. 

Coach Ballart

"We're excited for the 2026 campaign. It's always exciting to get a new year started, new seniors, and see what these guys can do for us and where they are going to take us. Our leadership is getting better and better every day and that's something we are proud of. We are looking forward to week one and traveling to Little Miami and getting the show on the road."