By Chris Parker
Hillcrest football has a new coach in Keenan Ganz leading the way this season. He takes over a program that finished 0-10 last year and hasn’t won more than three games since 2017.
Ganz brings 11 years of coaching experience including six at the college level.
“As I went through the application and interview process, I talked to a number of people that are a part of the Hillcrest community and others that have knowledge of it,” Ganz said. “The responses were overwhelmingly positive about Hillcrest and the people involved in the school. I also learned there is a strong desire to see the program turned around. Most importantly, it felt like the right fit. As I have started work with people from Hillcrest it is clear that Hillcrest is a great place to be.”
The defense will be an experienced group with nine starters returning led by linebacker Aiden Myers.
“Aiden Myers is a great leader. From the moment we started this summer he has fully committed to the program and culture. He is very vocal on defense and does a fantastic job of getting us in the right call,” Ganz said. “Aiden can really cover a lot of space for a mike linebacker. He routinely gets to plays you wouldn’t expect him to make in both the run game and passing game.”
Myers will be joined by Winston Grimes and Jude Cochran at linebacker. Cochran earned honorable mention all-conference honors last season after pulling down 55 total tackles.
“Jude is a high motor player that has great short area quickness,” Ganz said. “He made some explosive plays last year and looks to build on that after a great summer.”
Up front, Myles Attyberry, Herschel Wapp, Jamarion Brewer and Gage Sisco will be on the defensive line.
Attyberry brings quickness to the defensive line. He had 13 total tackles last year.
“Myles has great quickness for a defensive lineman,” Ganz said. “Combined with good leverage, he has the ability to impact the offenses run game by making it difficult for the opposing tackle.”
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Jaydon Carrizales, Jordan Tindle, Ethan Weaver and Jamarion Rowell will be in the secondary. Carrizales earned honorable mention all-conference honors last season. He had 33 total tackles last season.
“Jay is extremely coachable and dependable,” Ganz said. “He has a great understanding of the game and applies his knowledge to create advantages and make plays.”
Rowell will look to be a shutdown corner.
“He (Rowell) has tremendous speed and great instincts at cornerback,” Ganz said. “Jamarion has continued to elevate his game throughout the summer, and I expect we will count on him to make plays in our defensive secondary.”
Offensively, four starters return for Hillcrest.
Ethan Weaver will be the quarterback and leader on offense. He threw for 292 yards last season.
“Ethan Weaver is our quarterback and that position inherently comes with a level of leadership. Also, Ethan is one of the hardest workers on the team and really helps raise the level of others around,” Ganz said. “Ethan will have the opportunity to make a lot of plays in our offense as the signal caller. Each day he gets more and more confident in our scheme. He is a big, fast athlete.”
Aiden Myers could also see snaps at quarterback.
Jude Cochran, Jordan Tindle and Winston Grimes will be in the backfield at running back. Cochran led the group with 191 yards rushing and 404 yards receiving last year.
Gage Sisco and Jaydon Carrizales will be the team’s receivers with Myers and Mikey Lee at tight end.
Zach Gookin, Hayden Branch, Javon Voll, Andrew Neer and Cane Miller will be the team’s offensive line.
Both lines will be a strength for Hillcrest.
“The strength of our team is at the line of scrimmage. We have a number of players with good size and strength that we will lean on for both offense and defense,” Ganz said.
Hillcrest opens the season on Aug. 25 at home against Kickapoo.
Ganz will look for his team to fight through adversity this year.
“I think a great measure of any team is how they handle adversity. How do they respond when things get tough?” Ganz said. “I would like to see our culture continue to get stronger and see our players compete through adversity.”
