“4’s Up” is the mantra on the ICC campus this year.

                For second-year Head Football Coach Kiyoshi Harris, his “4’s Up” philosophy is symbolic of two things. First, it reminds his players to compete all four quarters – the entirety of a football game. Second, and more importantly, it reminds his players to win in the classroom, in the community, in the weight room, and ultimately on the field. If his first season as Head Coach was any sign of things to come, another memorable year is right around the corner for the #DreamU Pirates with Coach Harris at the helm.

                In their 2019 campaign, Indy once again rocked the JUCO football world, going 8-2 (6-1 Conference) and taking home another Jayhawk Conference Championship. “We established accountability right away,” Coach Harris said of taking on the head role last year. “I had already been here (as an assistant coach) putting in the long hours so it was a smooth transition. I just put on a different name tag and went to work.”

                Year Two for Harris was delayed when the NJCAA pushed the Fall 2020 season back to Spring 2021 because of COVID. However, the Pirates went to work in an extended preseason this semester and capped it off with two scrimmages recently against Dodge City at home and NEO A&M on the road. “Dodge City was our coming out party,” Harris said. “We were able to compete, make our mistakes, and try to get those mistakes out of the way. It was just good to hit somebody other than ourselves, feel the game’s tempo, and get used to it again.”

                After shaking off the rust and getting back on the gridiron, the Pirates made a quick turnaround and hit the road for Oklahoma the following week. “The NEO defense is one that we don’t see a lot and it’s one of the harder defenses to scheme against, so it was a good challenge for our offense,” said Harris. “Our kids performed well and were excited to play and end Fall ball on a good note.”

                Since last year, the Pirates have brought in new Offensive Coordinator Jay Osborne along with three new offensive assistant coaches. On the other side of the ball, Defensive Coordinator Jason Martin returns for his fifth season at ICC. “Coach Osborne is highly organized and his staff has done a great job so far of getting our guys prepared offensively,” said Harris. “And on defense, Coach Martin and the majority of his staff have been here and have set a strong foundation. There is a lot of great coaching and talented players on both sides of the ball.”

                Some key players to watch out for this season are running back Tavion Thomas, who could be a leading rusher this year, according to Harris. Harris also mentioned skill position players in wide receivers Almount Smith and Nyier Clark as having strong preseasons, along with returning quarterback Quintevin Cherry who is currently considered the starter heading into January.

                On the defensive side, defensive lineman Anthony Campbell stepped up big and impressed the staff this Fall after playing limited minutes last season. Campbell has a chance to increase his role after two starting linemen graduated from last year’s team.

                The linebacking corps is “lights out” according to Harris, showcasing the talents of Tra Wilkins, Tra Thomas, James Djonkham, and “Joko” Willis who has committed to the University of Kentucky and notched three interceptions in the recent scrimmage against NEO. At defensive back, Harris sees DeMarcus Griffin leading the charge to round out the defense.

                The “4’s Up” philosophy appears to already be paying dividends as the Pirates wrap up a successful academic semester, in which they did everything from participate in a cleanup initiative in downtown Independence to volunteering at the humane society to two successful showings on the football field in which they gave a taste of the potential success to come in Spring 2021.

                “We got to about 85% buy-in last year,” Coach Harris said. “If we get it to 100% this year, we have the talent, athleticism, and scheme to beat anybody. We’re going to build from here on what we have started.”

Follow the Indy Pirates Football Team on Twitter @DreamU_IndyFB

Written by Rob Beckmann @Coach_Beckmann