Leo football head coach Jared Sauder is being recognized statewide as this week's Colts/NFL Coach of the Week.
Sauder earned the honor after his #2 Lions (9-0) beat #11 East Noble (6-3) in the first round of 4A Sectional 19 last Friday, October 22. The Lions scored last with 9 seconds remaining in regulation to squeak out a 32-29 against the East Noble. Leo swept both very close meetings between the two teams this season.
Each Monday during the season, the Indianapolis Colts name a Coach of the Week from the high school head coaches across the Hoosier State. In addition to team's on-field performance, coaches are evaluated for impact on the team, the school and the community. Winners are chosen by a panel of football media, former athletic directors and other football officials across the state.
"It's an honor to get this award," Sauder tells the Parkview Sports Network. "I told our players that this is one of those awards that the coaches benefit from, but the kids earn. And that's true. What they've done this year, and how they've played, and the leadership from our seniors, they make it happen on Friday nights. So, it's really about them."
Colts Youth Commissioner Mike Prior visited the Leo football team Wednesday morning to congratulate Sauder on being named Colts/NFL Coach of the Week. He also presented a $2,000 check--$1,000 from the NFL Foundation and $1,000 from CenterPoint Energy--to the Leo High School athletic department.
"It's awesome to see what impact these coaches have on these kids," Prior, a 14-year NFL veteran who played for Indianapolis, Green Bay and Tampa Bay, says. "Not only during their four years of high school, but you see a lot of these kids come back years laters and are great professionals; and they've learned the life skills from these coaches in high school."
Additionally, Sauder received an Indianapolis Colts hat, and will be recognized with all the Colts/NFL Coach of the Week during the Colts/Patriots game December 19 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Leo hopes to take a different trip to Lucas Oil Stadium before that--for the 4A state championship game in November. The Lions has impressed all year, scoring 42.1 points points per game on offsense while allowing 13.1 points per game and repeated as Northeast 8 Conference champions.
"He's our leader," senior running back/defensive end Mason Sheron says. "We're the players on the field, but, in the end, he's the voice in our ear that's telling us what to do and making sure we play right. He's always believed in me and just having that person to keep cheering me on and telling me that I could do it is amazing."
Leo's next game is Friday, October 29, when they face DeKalb in the 4A Sectional 19 semi-final at Leo Stadium. The Lions beat DeKalb 14-0 in a muddy matchup to close the regular season October 15. Leo last won a sectional title in 2011.
Leo is one of 26 high schools that partner with Parkview Sports Medicine for athletic training, sports performance, nutrition, athletic rehab and other sports medicine services for Lion student-athletes. Learn more at www.parkviewsportsmedicine.com.