'14 Football Preview: Unioto Shermans
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
For a Unioto team that is coming off four wins last season, they return five quality players who have a great deal of experience, as the Shermans look to make some noise in the Scioto Valley Conference.
Last season, the Shermans finished 4-6 overall with a 3-4 mark in the SVC. They scored 293 points and allowed 296.
In ’13. from Weeks 6-8, UHS had a three-game winning streak, defeating Westfall (34-32), Huntington (53-22) and Piketon (63-28). UHS also defeated Alexander last season by a 27-6 score.
In preparing for the '14 season, fifth-year UHS head coach Jerry Hudnell said he was happy with the summer of the Shermans. UHS has 56 players listed on their roster.
"Our summer has gone pretty well. Most of our guys have been here, but this is the best summer we've had in my five years here," Hudnell said.
With the production of this summer, Hudnell said he wants to see his team grow before the season begins and improve each week thereafter.
[[In-content Ad]]"Right now, I expect us to grow (from scrimmages to start of the season)," Hudnell said. "Everything is in. Now it is time for us to get reps and perform what we've practiced. I expect us to get better every game.
"As long as we get better every game, I'm going to be happy."
With many players returning, the offensive line could be the most important for UHS as they have three starting linemen back, including senior Payton North (6-0, 235 pounds), who will be starting his fourth consecutive season.
Also returning on the offensive line is junior Austin Houser (6-6, 255 pounds) who was first-team, All-SVC and All-District. The third starter back on the offensive line is Colin Hutchinson. The 5-11 junior will be be starting for the third consecutive season.
"Payton is a four-year starter on the offensive line," Hudnell said. "Austin Houser is starting his third year on the offensive line, and so is Colin Hutchinson, so having that experience on the offensive line is important for us."
UHS will also have their quarterback back this season in Erique Hosley. Hosley (6-4, 210 pounds) passed for 700 yards last season and rushed for 749 yards. He threw 14 touchdowns and had 11 interceptions.
Another player back on offense is senior running back Dillan Binegar (6-0, 175 pounds). Binegar finished with 1,002 yards in '13.
"This is the first year since I've been here where we didn't have to replace our quarterback the following season," Hudnell said. "It is tremendous to have our QB back.
"I was looking at the film of our scrimmage with Hillsboro from last year, and we were embarrassing. This year so far, we are crisp, and in practice, we are sharp and look like we know what we are doing.
"Anytime we can get that continuity, that is great."
Then there is the defense of the Shermans.
"We are changing up our defense up a little bit," Hudnell said. "We are a traditional 50, but this year we are going a little more 4-4 because we have more speed than we've had in past years."
North is also the middle linebacker for UHS, and Houser is on the defense line.
The non-conference schedule for UHS consists of a home game vs. Vinton County, followed by a week two game at McClain and a home game vs. Alexander. Last season against those same three teams, UHS was 1-2, scoring 66 points in those games for an average of 22 points per game in those non-conference games.
For the season, UHS averaged 29.3 ppg in '13.
All of the coaches in the conference agree with Hudnell in saying the SVC will be tough in '13.
"I think absolutely, every team playing has an opportunity to win the conference," Hudnell said. "What stands out the most is Westfall, Zane Trace and Paint Valley have a lot returning, and I expect them to be at the top.
"I expect Piketon and Adena to be really tough. There will be no gimmes this year, any week."
Last season, the Shermans finished 4-6 overall with a 3-4 mark in the SVC. They scored 293 points and allowed 296.
In ’13. from Weeks 6-8, UHS had a three-game winning streak, defeating Westfall (34-32), Huntington (53-22) and Piketon (63-28). UHS also defeated Alexander last season by a 27-6 score.
In preparing for the '14 season, fifth-year UHS head coach Jerry Hudnell said he was happy with the summer of the Shermans. UHS has 56 players listed on their roster.
"Our summer has gone pretty well. Most of our guys have been here, but this is the best summer we've had in my five years here," Hudnell said.
With the production of this summer, Hudnell said he wants to see his team grow before the season begins and improve each week thereafter.
[[In-content Ad]]"Right now, I expect us to grow (from scrimmages to start of the season)," Hudnell said. "Everything is in. Now it is time for us to get reps and perform what we've practiced. I expect us to get better every game.
"As long as we get better every game, I'm going to be happy."
With many players returning, the offensive line could be the most important for UHS as they have three starting linemen back, including senior Payton North (6-0, 235 pounds), who will be starting his fourth consecutive season.
Also returning on the offensive line is junior Austin Houser (6-6, 255 pounds) who was first-team, All-SVC and All-District. The third starter back on the offensive line is Colin Hutchinson. The 5-11 junior will be be starting for the third consecutive season.
"Payton is a four-year starter on the offensive line," Hudnell said. "Austin Houser is starting his third year on the offensive line, and so is Colin Hutchinson, so having that experience on the offensive line is important for us."
UHS will also have their quarterback back this season in Erique Hosley. Hosley (6-4, 210 pounds) passed for 700 yards last season and rushed for 749 yards. He threw 14 touchdowns and had 11 interceptions.
Another player back on offense is senior running back Dillan Binegar (6-0, 175 pounds). Binegar finished with 1,002 yards in '13.
"This is the first year since I've been here where we didn't have to replace our quarterback the following season," Hudnell said. "It is tremendous to have our QB back.
"I was looking at the film of our scrimmage with Hillsboro from last year, and we were embarrassing. This year so far, we are crisp, and in practice, we are sharp and look like we know what we are doing.
"Anytime we can get that continuity, that is great."
Then there is the defense of the Shermans.
"We are changing up our defense up a little bit," Hudnell said. "We are a traditional 50, but this year we are going a little more 4-4 because we have more speed than we've had in past years."
North is also the middle linebacker for UHS, and Houser is on the defense line.
The non-conference schedule for UHS consists of a home game vs. Vinton County, followed by a week two game at McClain and a home game vs. Alexander. Last season against those same three teams, UHS was 1-2, scoring 66 points in those games for an average of 22 points per game in those non-conference games.
For the season, UHS averaged 29.3 ppg in '13.
All of the coaches in the conference agree with Hudnell in saying the SVC will be tough in '13.
"I think absolutely, every team playing has an opportunity to win the conference," Hudnell said. "What stands out the most is Westfall, Zane Trace and Paint Valley have a lot returning, and I expect them to be at the top.
"I expect Piketon and Adena to be really tough. There will be no gimmes this year, any week."