'14 Football Preview: Hillsboro Indians
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
The past few seasons for the Hillsboro Indians haven't been what all involved had hoped for, but the rebuilding of the program is entering its second season with head coach Matt Hodge, and the Indians are wanting to take the next step in that process.
The Indians will open the season as they work to improve on their 1-9 record from a season ago, where their lone win was in Week 4 where they defeated Landmark Christian by a 40-6 score, snapping what was a 13-game losing streak.
Though the Indians didn't win for the remainder of the season, this is a new year with new aspirations and new opportunities to compete against not only the South Central Ohio League for the final seven weeks of the season, but teams from the Southern Buckeye Athletic & Academic Conference for the first three weeks.
HHS will start off the year on the road against Western Brown, followed by non-league games at home against Goshen and Clermont Northeastern, who also had one win last season.
As the season is about to begin, Hodge said he was happy with the Indians' summer.
"I feel good about the summer," he said. "The kids put in good work in the weight room and when we got to our camp. We spent three days at Wittenberg as a team building a bond and getting work in.
"In that aspect, I felt we had a good summer, plus our numbers are up. We are hoping for a good season."
With this being the second year at HHS for Hodge (he previously coached at East Clinton), he said it has been a good transition from year one to year two.
"Anytime you are instilling something completely new to the kids, there is that learning curve, but you could tell this summer they were a lot more comfortable making our calls and checks. Hopefully we are fine-tuning it at this point and not still instilling," Hodge said.
In terms of numbers for the Indians, they have over 50 players, which is an improvement from previous seasons. HHS will also use the same style of offense as they did last season.
"Knock on wood, we've been relatively healthy, so hopefully that continues," Hodge said. "As for our offense, we've gone back to the same thing, and the kids look more comfortable in it so far. Hopefully that trend continues."
In terms of injuries last season, the Indians had their biggest injury before the regular season even started when QB Logan Lesley was injured in a preseason scrimmage, missing over half the season. He also missed the entire '12 season with an injury as well.
Also at QB this season will be Toby Warrington, who played QB most of last year.
"Toby and Logan will play both quarterback and running back for us," Hodge said.
As for other starters from last season, HHS has around six to seven on each side of the football.
"We do have some experience back, but we have some new faces as well," Hodge said.
[[In-content Ad]]One of those experienced players back is senior offensive lineman Skylar Murphy, who will be a four-year starter for the Indians. Hodge also described fullback Jordan Mosley as the "workhorse" of the offense.
"Skylar will be a leader for us up front," Hodge said. "Jordan has had a great summer and is working hard for us."
More of the offense consists of Latrell Haithcock, who is new to the team this season, along with Braden Wildey, Ryan LeMaster, Brian Smith, Ryan Hagan and R.J. Collard.
"We have a lot of new options and faces at wide receiver," Hodge said.
A lot of the kids on the offensive side will be looked to make plays on defense as well, as HHS will also have the same scheme on defense as they did last season. The Indians last season gave up 411 points, while scoring 93.
On the defensive line will be Murphy and Mosley, along with Jed Asmus and Lane Hester at linebacker, whom Hodge said have been solid so far in the summer.
The secondary will have Hagan, Warrington and Lesley.
"We have the same cast of characters on defense, and they are doing a great job over there as well," Hodge said.
The expectations for HHS are simple … to improve.
"We talk about getting better every day," Hodge said. "If we can continue to do that, then we can have a successful season. We've talked about that since the end of last season to where we are at now.
"We just want to continue to strive and continue to get better every day."
The Indians will open the season as they work to improve on their 1-9 record from a season ago, where their lone win was in Week 4 where they defeated Landmark Christian by a 40-6 score, snapping what was a 13-game losing streak.
Though the Indians didn't win for the remainder of the season, this is a new year with new aspirations and new opportunities to compete against not only the South Central Ohio League for the final seven weeks of the season, but teams from the Southern Buckeye Athletic & Academic Conference for the first three weeks.
HHS will start off the year on the road against Western Brown, followed by non-league games at home against Goshen and Clermont Northeastern, who also had one win last season.
As the season is about to begin, Hodge said he was happy with the Indians' summer.
"I feel good about the summer," he said. "The kids put in good work in the weight room and when we got to our camp. We spent three days at Wittenberg as a team building a bond and getting work in.
"In that aspect, I felt we had a good summer, plus our numbers are up. We are hoping for a good season."
With this being the second year at HHS for Hodge (he previously coached at East Clinton), he said it has been a good transition from year one to year two.
"Anytime you are instilling something completely new to the kids, there is that learning curve, but you could tell this summer they were a lot more comfortable making our calls and checks. Hopefully we are fine-tuning it at this point and not still instilling," Hodge said.
In terms of numbers for the Indians, they have over 50 players, which is an improvement from previous seasons. HHS will also use the same style of offense as they did last season.
"Knock on wood, we've been relatively healthy, so hopefully that continues," Hodge said. "As for our offense, we've gone back to the same thing, and the kids look more comfortable in it so far. Hopefully that trend continues."
In terms of injuries last season, the Indians had their biggest injury before the regular season even started when QB Logan Lesley was injured in a preseason scrimmage, missing over half the season. He also missed the entire '12 season with an injury as well.
Also at QB this season will be Toby Warrington, who played QB most of last year.
"Toby and Logan will play both quarterback and running back for us," Hodge said.
As for other starters from last season, HHS has around six to seven on each side of the football.
"We do have some experience back, but we have some new faces as well," Hodge said.
[[In-content Ad]]One of those experienced players back is senior offensive lineman Skylar Murphy, who will be a four-year starter for the Indians. Hodge also described fullback Jordan Mosley as the "workhorse" of the offense.
"Skylar will be a leader for us up front," Hodge said. "Jordan has had a great summer and is working hard for us."
More of the offense consists of Latrell Haithcock, who is new to the team this season, along with Braden Wildey, Ryan LeMaster, Brian Smith, Ryan Hagan and R.J. Collard.
"We have a lot of new options and faces at wide receiver," Hodge said.
A lot of the kids on the offensive side will be looked to make plays on defense as well, as HHS will also have the same scheme on defense as they did last season. The Indians last season gave up 411 points, while scoring 93.
On the defensive line will be Murphy and Mosley, along with Jed Asmus and Lane Hester at linebacker, whom Hodge said have been solid so far in the summer.
The secondary will have Hagan, Warrington and Lesley.
"We have the same cast of characters on defense, and they are doing a great job over there as well," Hodge said.
The expectations for HHS are simple … to improve.
"We talk about getting better every day," Hodge said. "If we can continue to do that, then we can have a successful season. We've talked about that since the end of last season to where we are at now.
"We just want to continue to strive and continue to get better every day."