Gynson Robley didn’t envision his final season of high school football starting with losses in three of the first four games.
But like everyone else in the Indian Creek program, the Braves’ senior quarterback trusts the process entirely.
“There’s no doubt in my mind we can turn this season around. We believe in our coaches and that what they tell us to do is the right thing to do,” Robley said. “I think we’re going to come back strong.”
To do so, Indian Creek (1-3) will need to play well tonight at Brown County (1-3). The Braves hold a 12-game winning streak against the Eagles — 11 regular-season victories and a 31-21 sectional triumph in 2011.
The Braves never have experienced a losing record under the leadership of 15th-year head coach Mike Gillin. He has no plans to reverse the trend.
“I knew we were going to struggle a little bit early in the season as inexperienced as we were,” said Gillin, whose team is coming off a 52-21 loss at Clinton-Massie (Ohio). “But every week is a new week, and we’re trying to do what everyone wants to do, which is improve.”
Losing is not something Gillin, or his teams, are accustomed to. In his 37th overall season as a varsity head coach, he ranks eighth all-time in career victories in Indiana with 293.
If history is an indication, Indian Creek can — and will — bounce back.
In 2005, the Braves won their opener, as they did this year, and then lost three straight. But they went on to win six straight and finished 7-4.
Gillin expects to add to the win total by season’s end, because he is confident the Braves have the personnel, and the will, to do it.
“It’s no fun being 1-3, but it’s better than being 0-4,” Gillin said. “Our kids came back to practice Monday with a really good attitude, so I feel a lot better this week than I did last week (after a 41-7 home loss to Eastern Hancock).
“As good as Clinton-Massie was, we didn’t hang it up and played well the second half.”
Robley has completed 62 of 108 pass attempts for 837 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions. Meanwhile, the Braves’ ground attack has mustered a paltry 99 rushing yards on 84 carries (1.2 average).
“Our problem is two-fold. We can’t run the ball, and we can’t stop the run,” Gillin said. “I do see improvement with our lines, though. I’m a fundamentals guy, and that’s what we’ll keep preaching. You have to coach harder when you’re 1-3 than when you’re 3-1.
“That’s what we’re trying to do.”
Next week, Indian Creek plays Milan (1-3), followed by North Decatur (4-0), Broad Ripple (1-3) and South Decatur (2-2).
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FAST FINISHES
Indian Creek football teams have been known to recover from sluggish starts since Mike Gillin became head coach in 2001:
2013 – 1-2 start, finished 9-3
2012 – 0-2 start, finished 9-3
2011 – 1-3 start, finished 8-5 and won sectional
2008 – 2-2 start, finished 7-4
2007 – 2-2 start, finished 6-4
2005 – 1-3 start, finished 7-4
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