'14 Football Preview: Huntington Huntsmen
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
This is a new season for the Huntington Huntsmen football program, and under head coach Alan Preston for a second consecutive season, the squad wants to take the "next step" in building a competitive team.
Playing in the Scioto Valley Conference isn't easy. Mix that with a tough non-conference schedule, and the Huntsmen will have to earn everything they get this upcoming season.
Last year, the Huntsmen failed to win a game, finishing 0-10, but that is all in the past, and Huntington is taking that season and using it as not only a learning experience, but knowing what they have to do to compete at the varsity level.
In '13, Huntington scored 126 points and allowed 410.
There are nine seniors on the Huntington squad this season, including six starters from a season ago. The returning starters who will be seniors are David Shoemaker (QB/DB), Brad Fraley (FB/OLB), Jonah Snyder (C/DT), Mikey Woofter (TB/DE), Michael Carroll (WR/OLB) and Quinten Faulkner (OG/DT). The rest of the senior class is Cody Gleason (WR/OLB), Austin Long (WR/DB) and Nick Tarvin (OL/DE).
[[In-content Ad]]There are also five juniors returning who started last season and one sophomore who was a starter last year.
Returning junior starters are: Zach Rucker (OG/DT)), Micah Reisinger (WR/OLB), Billy Doyle (OL/DE), Austin Barker (WR/DB), Craig Briggs (OT) and sophomore Lyle Watters (FB/ILB).
With all the talent returning, the summer months of Preston’s second year as head coach have gone more smoothly.
"It is night and day," Preston said of the difference of this summer compared to last year. "Sure, we've had our up and downs, but the kids have a great attitude. They are buying into what we want as coaches for the program, and they are having fun.
"The first year going in was rough, but this year it has been a lot better. We have had three 7-on-7s, and I feel they went well. They worked hard in the weight room and have been dependable."
The team uses a midline, veer and I-formation look on offense and a 4-4 defensive look.
"We will run a few different looks on both sides of the ball, but that is our base we will use," Preston said.
The overall numbers have improved for the Huntsmen, going from just 23 players last season to 35 this year.
"What we are trying to do is build a foundation," Preston said. "The kids are showing up, putting their work in, and it is about taking one step at a time each day.
"And our senior class … They are a good group. They have stuck together through the good and bad and are really close. I'm really proud of them."
Looking at the schedule, one of the toughest opponents for the Huntsmen all season will be their season opener on Friday, Aug. 29 when they travel to Symmes Valley.
"Symmes Valley is a strong program with Coach (Rusty) Webb," Preston said. "Coach Webb has built a great program, and they will be a tough opponent.
"For us, our expectations are to take care of ourselves and improve week by week. We want to be a team that eventually fights for a conference championship, and we'll continue to work to get to that position."
Playing in the Scioto Valley Conference isn't easy. Mix that with a tough non-conference schedule, and the Huntsmen will have to earn everything they get this upcoming season.
Last year, the Huntsmen failed to win a game, finishing 0-10, but that is all in the past, and Huntington is taking that season and using it as not only a learning experience, but knowing what they have to do to compete at the varsity level.
In '13, Huntington scored 126 points and allowed 410.
There are nine seniors on the Huntington squad this season, including six starters from a season ago. The returning starters who will be seniors are David Shoemaker (QB/DB), Brad Fraley (FB/OLB), Jonah Snyder (C/DT), Mikey Woofter (TB/DE), Michael Carroll (WR/OLB) and Quinten Faulkner (OG/DT). The rest of the senior class is Cody Gleason (WR/OLB), Austin Long (WR/DB) and Nick Tarvin (OL/DE).
[[In-content Ad]]There are also five juniors returning who started last season and one sophomore who was a starter last year.
Returning junior starters are: Zach Rucker (OG/DT)), Micah Reisinger (WR/OLB), Billy Doyle (OL/DE), Austin Barker (WR/DB), Craig Briggs (OT) and sophomore Lyle Watters (FB/ILB).
With all the talent returning, the summer months of Preston’s second year as head coach have gone more smoothly.
"It is night and day," Preston said of the difference of this summer compared to last year. "Sure, we've had our up and downs, but the kids have a great attitude. They are buying into what we want as coaches for the program, and they are having fun.
"The first year going in was rough, but this year it has been a lot better. We have had three 7-on-7s, and I feel they went well. They worked hard in the weight room and have been dependable."
The team uses a midline, veer and I-formation look on offense and a 4-4 defensive look.
"We will run a few different looks on both sides of the ball, but that is our base we will use," Preston said.
The overall numbers have improved for the Huntsmen, going from just 23 players last season to 35 this year.
"What we are trying to do is build a foundation," Preston said. "The kids are showing up, putting their work in, and it is about taking one step at a time each day.
"And our senior class … They are a good group. They have stuck together through the good and bad and are really close. I'm really proud of them."
Looking at the schedule, one of the toughest opponents for the Huntsmen all season will be their season opener on Friday, Aug. 29 when they travel to Symmes Valley.
"Symmes Valley is a strong program with Coach (Rusty) Webb," Preston said. "Coach Webb has built a great program, and they will be a tough opponent.
"For us, our expectations are to take care of ourselves and improve week by week. We want to be a team that eventually fights for a conference championship, and we'll continue to work to get to that position."