Noah Ehrlich’s passion and leadership have Crown Point on the right path

by | Nov 1, 2024 | Featured, Football Blogs, Headlines, RRSN News | 0 comments

By Paul Condry and Matt Kopsea

Noah Ehrlich has enjoyed his share of good fortune.

Although the Crown Point senior quarterback already has a Class 6A state runner-up finish on his resume, the desire for more success still burns inside him.

“I am not content knowing that there is still more work to be done,” explained Ehrlich. “We don’t just want to be region good, north good, state good. We want to be a team that is looked at on a national level. Because of that, teams are coming at us every week with their best.”

The Bulldogs have not only won 27 straight regular season, but also claimed three consecutive Duneland Athletic Conference titles.

However, past accomplishments are irrelevant to the 6-foot-2, 190-pound standout.

“Everyone wants to beat the Bulldogs,” Ehrlich said. “Everyone wants to be the team to break the streak, and we know that. If we aren’t focused or doing what we need to be doing during the week, there is a team coming for us.”

Since getting an opportunity to compete as a freshman at Hobart, Ehrlich has proven to be a born leader.

However, after throwing for nearly 3,500 yards with 30 touchdowns during his first two campaigns with the Brickies, his family moved to Crown Point at the end of the first semester of the 2022-2023 school year.

As it turned out, he had no trouble fitting in his new surroundings.

In addition to going 160-of-260 for 2,452 yards with 27 touchdowns, he ran 63 times for 374 yards with 10 scores to help the Bulldogs (13-1) to their best finish and become the first Class 6A team from the Region to reach Lucas Oil Stadium.

“To be a part of something that has never been done before is a pretty special feeling,” explained Ehrlich. “That (season) is something I will take with me the rest of my life. While it is kind of hard to remember what school was like that week because I was so focused on the game, I remember the feeling of being overwhelmed with how excited I was to play in a state championship. That is something that I had dreamed  of since I was a ball boy looking up to my brother playing at the varsity level and seeing how much it meant to him.

“To be able to represent such an amazing community like Crown Point is just a blessed feeling. Eating downtown and walking around school seeing random people wear Crown Point football gear gives me a feeling of pride for the city.”

There has been no letdown in 2024 as he has completed 117 of 156 passes, good for 75 percent, for 1,897 yards with 24 touchdowns and just one interception.

“The most enjoyable aspect of this season has been being around the guys and soaking up the moments with the crew,” explained Ehrlich, “Knowing that this is my last year to play high school football, I have really tried to enjoy the times I have with this team and it has been so amazing. I am so proud of this team and we are truly a family. It is going to be hard knowing I can’t play with this group of guys forever, but I am so thankful I got to be a part of this organization for a couple of years.”

Going back to youth, sports has played a big role in his life.

“My earliest memory would be when I was a kid playing T-ball,” recalled Ehrlich. “I can remember always being excited for my games because I would hear my whole family screaming when I would run around the bases.”

Guidance from his father (Rich Ehrlich), who served in the military, has pointed him in the right direction.

“The most impactful person in my life would hands down be my father,” explained Ehrlich. “He has raised me under the foundations of being a leader not only in sports but in life as well. He has always held me to a high standard, but has always believed in me.”

Noah’s older brothers (Jake and Sam Ehrlich), who also served in the military, have also been good role models for him.

“I have looked up to them since I can remember,” said Ehrlich. “Everyone in our house has been raised on the same principles and philosophies that my father has carried into our household. Having the privilege of seeing my brothers go through the process of what it takes to be a soldier in this country has influenced how I approach sports and life in general. They have shown me the importance of paying attention to the little things, having discipline, and always showing up when your name is called.”

Having the chance to learn from Indiana Football Hall of Fame member Craig Buzea has also paid dividends for him.

“Coach Buz is one of a kind,” Ehrlich said. “The thing I respect most about him is that he understands what it takes to be the best, and he instills those principles into his athletes no matter who you are. Although he can be hard on us sometimes, he knows when to give credit where credit is due and that is a very important aspect of the player and coach relationship.

“Playing for a coach that you know will push you to be the best you can be is a privilege and everything I could ask for in a coach. I am thankful I have him in my corner.”

Buzea has admiration for his field general as well.

“We have been blessed to have Noah as a part of our program the last two years,” Buzea said. “His leadership is unmatched in my 40-plus years in coaching. From the first day he arrived in CP, he became the leader of our program, which is very difficult to do when coming to a new school. Without a doubt, Noah is among the ‘best’ quarterbacks that have ever played in Northwest Indiana. He is the ‘total package’.”

Along with giving his best effort on the playing field, Ehrlich has also excelled in the classroom with a 4.0 grade-point average.

“Over the past four years, I have gotten better at learning how to balance playing three sports and still maintaining the standard in the classroom as well,” explained Ehrlich, who also participates in basketball and baseball. “In order to balance both academics and sports, I stay very disciplined with my time management skills which allows me to understand when it’s time to sit down and get things done.

“I also try to compartmentalize my brain as best as possible. I try to make football be an escape from everyday life where I can just focus on my sport and my teammates. I think the hardest thing with that is all the distractions that could happen during the week (school, outside problems, being stressed). Overall, football is a game that I love and always want to have fun with.”

Success on the gridiron provided Noah an opportunity to earn a scholarship to continue his career at Miami (Ohio) next fall.

“Miami of Ohio is a great place all around,” explained Ehrlich. “They have everything I could ask for in a college and I am even more thankful for the amazing coaching staff. Miami was the first school to offer me a scholarship to play at the next level, and that showed me that they truly believe in me and they saw what I was capable of. My goal is to get on the field the first year there. I know it is a tall task, but I want to play football as much as possible and I will do everything in my power to do so.

“I have many aspirations for once my college sports career is over, whether that be opening my own business or being a teacher and coach, we will see where life takes me.”

Before heading off to Oxford, Ohio, though, Ehrlich and company have some unfinished business to attend to on November 1 as they begin their quest to return to Indianapolis when No. 2 Crown Point (9-0) hosts Portage (4-5) in the Class 6A Sectional 1 semifinals.

“Leading up to the game, I will make sure I meet with Coach Buz during the week to straighten out the game plan and make sure I am good to go,” Ehrlich said. “I will also grab my notebook and draw the plays so I can physically see them on paper and know what we are trying to attack. I need to know everyone’s responsibility as well as mine. On game day, it is all about imagining success on the field and knowing what needs to be done while always making time to give my family a hug before the game as well.”

 

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