Greensburg football: Determined to build a championship standard

Photo by Emili Thompson

(GREENSBURG, Ind.) – Isaac Sliger knew the task he was signing up for when he became Greensburg’s football coach earlier this year. 

Sliger led his alma mater of Rushville to their first-ever EIAC Conference title last season while Greensburg won just one game in two seasons. 

He decided to leave Rushville and take on the challenge of the Greensburg job.

Sliger was well aware that the Pirates not only faced obstacles on the field, but the players had faced backlash on social media and the morale was low.

It wasn’t his first time facing adversity as he previously inherited a Rushville team in 2021 that was also struggling in a similar way.

“Anytime you’re rebuilding a program, it's difficult for a variety of reasons. It would have been easy for these players to give up, but they haven’t and have continued to work hard for the past 10 or 11 months,” Sliger said. 

That hard work has paid off as the Pirates have won four of their last five games.

Sliger and his players have been determined to set a championship standard and face adversity head-on. 

“When it comes to things like 6 a.m. workouts, it isn’t just about waking up early and showing up, it’s about showing up and attacking the day,” Sliger said.

Seniors like Jeremiah Alexander have witnessed how the new expectations from the coaching staff has put the program into a new direction.

“There is a different level of intensity here. Last year, practice was practice, but this year it feels like every practice and every rep is a mini game day,” Alexander said. 

He added, “It isn’t just the varsity players here to compete, as the JV kids are trying their best because everyone is here to compete.”

Alexander, along with seniors Tyler Williams and Austin Cruz, were asked to sum up their team with one word. 

Their answer: Physical

It prompted Williams to explain that this team doesn't slack off. 

“I think a lot of people think we don’t put in a lot of work, but they should know we’re putting in the work everyday, day in and day out, from watching film to practicing with intensity,” Williams said. 

The Pirates have embraced the underdog mentality and know Friday against Lawrenceburg will be a big test, but they are ready to face their opponent with a Sectional Championship on the line.

Sliger credits the hard work and commitment of the players and is confident they will leave everything on the field.

"We said from the beginning, our standard was to get our program in the position to go compete for conference championships, sectional championships, and beyond. Here's our first big step towards that goal," he said.

"We understand the magnitude behind that and now it's time to go compete and build off of what we have learned over the last half of the season.”

Greensburg will host the Tigers at 7 p.m. Friday.