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By Chris Parker
Hillcrest football has a new head coach, but it is a familiar name in Lee Coleman. Coleman is a 1999 graduate of Hillcrest. He went on to play football at Missouri State. Coleman started his coaching career in Greenfield and has been an assistant at Hillcrest for the past seven seasons.
Coleman is truly a Hillcrest guy.
“I don’t even go past Kearney (street). I start itching when I go past Kearney. I’m allergic,” Coleman said. “I am happy for the opportunity to be the coach. It is something I never thought I would get a chance to do, but now it is here. Now it is time to keep this spot filled for the next 25 years.”
Coleman will look to have an offense that is ready to respond to whatever the defense throwing at them.
“We are going to execute well. Whatever the other team is giving us that is what we are going to take. We are going to be counter punchers,” Coleman said. “Discipline and conditioning are going to be our thing. As long as they truly understand everything that we are asking them to do then we can draw stuff in the dirt as need be, and they will have the conditioning and confidence to make the adjustments to make the plays. Our goal is to keep it simple and let kids make plays when they are in front of them.”
Things will start up front with Jacob Gott and Tracen Tate. Both players earned postseason honors as offensive linemen last season.
“Those are two good-sized, strong kids,” Coleman said. “We are definitely going to lean on them to make things work for us. I am very blessed to have them coming back. I definitely expect them to have a good, solid year. They have been putting in some work.”
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The Hornets return quarterback Mike Floyd for his senior season. Floyd threw for 1,655 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.
“He is the general out there. He knows everything. He knows how the drive the car really well. He knows how it turns on every corner. He is solid,” Coleman said.
Cole Griesemer is also in the mix for snaps at quarterback. He stands at 6’5, 190 pounds.
“He looks like a D1 quarterback out there standing in the pocket,” Coleman said. “We could see some different moves throughout the year depending on what all plays out.”
Whichever player is taking snaps at quarterback, the other will see the field in some capacity.
Dante Sample will be a key piece of the offense at running back. Sample earned postseason honors as a tight end last year. He has bounced around different positions throughout his high school career playing at defensive end as a freshman, fullback and linebacker as a sophomore and a tight end last year. He got his chance at running back late last year and took advantage. Sample carried the ball 66 times for 385 yards and four touchdowns.
“He finally got a chance in the (last two games) last year due to some injuries and the way things shook out. He stepped in and killed it. It was nice for him to get his opportunity, and when he did he took full advantage of it. He will definitely be a centerpiece. He is a big part of what we do,” Coleman said. “He is very intelligent. He is probably the smartest kid I have ever met. You tell him something wrong and he doesn’t do it wrong again.”
Zander Rodgers and Jeremiah Cochran are two more players to watch on offense.
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Defensively, things start up front with defensive lineman Josh Rose. Rose, who stands at 6’2, 400 pounds, is a force up front for the Hornets.
“He (Rose) is probably the most athletic big guy I have ever seen in person,” Coleman said. “He had a scoop-and-score last year that nobody wanted to tackle him because he is so big, but I don’t think anybody could have caught him. He has a gift. I am excited to see how his senior year turns out. I think he can go play some Saturday football somewhere.”
Rose had 37 total tackles last season. Consistent effort will be key for him to elevate his game this year.
“It is all about a want to with him (Rose). He is 400 pounds. Nobody is trying to move a car. He is a car. Last year I was working with the defensive line a little bit. I made a move and came at (Rose) and he stiff-armed me in my chest and I went rolling back,” Coleman said. “If he wants to. He is a force.”
Rodgers will also factor into the defensive equation at linebacker.
Lamarkus Miller is going to contribute on defense as well. He had two interceptions in the first four games before an injury derailed his season last year.
“Teams are going to have to know where he (Miller) is at all times. He will make a play on the ball. He really has a good nose for it,” Coleman said.
Zao Shatto tore his ACL seven games into last season, but had 25 total tackles and a sack before he went down. He will also handle kicking duties. He hit a 30-yard field goal and was seven-for-ten on extra points last year.
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Freshman Morgan Nicholls is a player that could find immediate varsity playing time.
Coleman is bringing back iron man football and will employ a host of two-way players this year.
Coleman will look for his team to show effort and discipline this season.
“(I want them to) bring it for four quarters and be disciplined. That is the biggest compliment you can have as a coach that your guys went hard all four quarters and are disciplined,” Coleman said. “I think Ray Lewis says it best, ‘effort is between you and you’. They are the only ones that can truly control their effort. If they give maximum effort every time then we have a chance to compete in every single game and do well.”
Hillcrest will travel to Central for a jamboree on Aug. 20 with Strafford, Rogersville and the host Bulldogs. The Hornets open the season on Aug. 27 at Lebanon.
