ELKHART — Travon Curry received a phone call from Elkhart Athletic Director Jacquie Rost last Thursday. When he answered, Rost asked, ‘Are you sitting down?’
The next words from Rost made Curry want to stand up.
Novell Miller and Carmine Orozco had been declared eligible to play for the Elkhart football team by the IHSAA.
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“Let’s go!” Curry admitted was his reaction, along with some other words mixed in there.
After more than a month of uncertainty, the first-year Elkhart head coach finally had his full roster available. Miller and Orozco missed the season-opening 13-12 loss to Concord, but both played this past Friday in the Lions’ 21-6 win over Northridge.
“I was more excited for them two because if the decision went the other way, those boys would’ve been trying to figure out what’s going on with their senior year," Curry said. "So, I was more happy and excited for those two not have to worry about anything going into their senior year.”
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Why were Miller and Orozco ineligible to start?
Both Miller and Orozco were part of Mishawaka’s football team last season. and each had major impacts in 2023 . Miller rushed for 1,326 yards and 20 touchdowns while Orozco accumulated 35 tackles and seven sacks as a defensive lineman.
Both players transferred to Elkhart after the season, going through spring and summer workouts before an IHSAA ruling in July declared them ineligible. Per the IHSAA by-laws, if a transfer is deemed to have only been done for athletic purposes, that student-athlete is not allowed to play in varsity contests for the first 365 days after they transfer.
Elkhart appealed to get Miller and Orozco eligible. A meeting with an IHSAA appeals committee took place last Monday, meaning the players were unable to play week one. Mishawaka and Elkhart coaches and administrators attended the appeal hearing.
Three days later, the the appeals committee overturned the initial decision, making Miller and Orozco instantly available for the Lions.
“I was excited, I was happy,” Orozco said when he heard the news. “This is the sport I love. I love playing this game. This is the sport I want to play my whole life I hope, so I was just really happy for myself, my family and my teammates.”
IHSAA officials declined comment on the case, citing privacy concerns. Mishawaka High School officials also declined comment.
Getting back into the swing of things
Both Miller and Orozco played against Northridge. Miller rushed 12 times for 38 yards, while Orozco had three tackles.
It’s a learning curve for Miller, with the 5-foot-9, 205-pound tailback going from a flexbone, run-heavy offense at Mishawaka to Elkhart's more modern-style.
“My teammates, they’re big leaders and have been helping me adjust,” Miller said. “It’s definitely different, but I’m getting used to it … I did alright (last week). I can do better. It was my first ‘live’ game obviously, but I think I can do better this week.”
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With Miller available, the Lions now have two great options in the backfield.
“Connor Dow is one of the best running backs in the area," Curry said. "For him to now have Novell Miller side-by-side with him is going to be scary for teams here. (Miller) continues to get used to our scheme and running new stuff.”
Orozco, listed at 6-foot-4, 270 pounds, gives Elkhart three Division-I prospects along the defensive line. Orozco is verbally committed to Miami (Ohio) and senior Mariyon Dye to the University of Tennessee. Senior Cordarrll McFee is undecided, but picked up an offer from the University of Cincinnati last weekend.
“To have Carmine up front with Dye and (McFee) — it’s a nasty defensive front that is going to be hard for people to move the ball on,” Curry said.
Elkhart (1-1) opens the Northern Indiana Conference portion of its schedule Friday when it hosts South Bend Washington (0-2). While the Lions are taking it one game at a time, the goals remain high now that the full roster is available for them.
“I like this team a lot; I like the guys, the coaching staff,” Orozco said. “I think we have a chance to go down to Lucas Oil Stadium and do something big with this team.”
South Bend area high school football schedule, Sept. 6
INDIANA
South Bend Washington at Elkhart, 7 p.m.
Mishawaka Marian at South Bend Adams, 7 p.m.
Penn at South Bend Riley, 7 p.m.
Mishawaka at Concord, 7 p.m.
Goshen at Warsaw, 7 p.m.
Wawasee at NorthWood, 7 p.m.
Northridge at Plymouth, 7 p.m.
Osceola Grace at Bremen, 7 p.m.
Jimtown at Fairfield, 7 p.m.
John Glenn at Fort Wayne Blackhawk, 7 p.m.
LaVille at Central Noble, 7 p.m.
South Bend Saint Joseph at New Prairie, 7:30 p.m.
Culver at Triton, 7:30 p.m.
LaPorte at Valparaiso, 8 p.m.
Michigan City at Chesterton, 8 p.m.
North Judson at South Central, 8 p.m.
MICHIGAN
Lakeshore at Niles, 7 p.m.
St. Joseph at Edwardsburg, 7 p.m.
Watervliet at Brandywine, 7 p.m.
White Pigeon at Buchanan, 7 p.m.
Cassopolis at Galesburg-Augusta, 7 p.m.
Dowagiac at Hudson, 7 p.m.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: 'The sport I love.' Stars Novell Miller, Carmine Orozco ruled eligible for Elkhart football
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