By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
The majority of the names are the same for Hollister as a year ago, but coach Mike Johnson reports his Tigers have changed.
“We lined up on the first day (of summer workouts) and said, ‘We look different than last year,’” Johnson said. “All our skill kids who were 140 pounds last year are 160 pounds this year, We’ve grown up. We feel like we’re taking the right steps. We’re excited about this year and can’t wait to get rolling.”
Hollister’s youth last year showed up, as the Tigers endured their first winless season since 2012. They were outscored by an average of more than 30 points a game.
Over the course of the season, Hollister started five freshmen and seven sophomores.
“We took our lumps,” Johnson said. “We were really young. Now, we’re a little more mature. Every skill kid is back from last year. We understand what we’re doing now.”
Hollister’s offensive backfield includes running back KK Conway, wingback Bryson Whitman, fullback Zech Honey and quarterbacks Sinry Mendoza and Owen Houser.
“Conway is very dangerous,” Johnson said. “If we can keep him healthy, he should have a big year.”
This past spring, Mendoza became the fifth state champion in the history of Hollister’s track program. He won a Class 3 3,200 gold medal.
Mendoza and Houser both took snaps from center last season and that could be the case again this season.
“They are both very athletic kids,” Johnson said. “I would prefer somebody separate themselves. But if we need to do a two-quarterback system and play to their strengths we can.”
Hollister’s linemen are led by Tyler Carpenter and Nolan Huff.
“Carpenter has done a great job up front on the offensive and defensive lines,” Johnson said. “He’s stepped into a leadership role. Huff gives us versatility upfront. He plays all the offensive line spots.”
Carpenter, Honey and Whitman received All-Big Eight East honorable mention recognition a year ago.
Johnson likes Hollister’s potential for the big play.
“We feel athletically we match up with anybody,” he said. “We’re an athletic and fast group of kids coming into their own. They’re going to be fun to watch. We’ve got work to (do). We’ve got to get better on the offensive and defensive lines to reach our potential.”
On defense, Whitman is also a standout at safety and Robert Mora is a proven cornerback.
By moving from the Big 8 Conference to the Mid-Lakes Conference, Hollister has just two teams, Reeds Spring and Catholic, on this season’s schedule that the Tigers played a year ago.
“Playing in the Big 8 was a challenge,” Johnson said. “The schools our size, they’re the cream of the crop. Then we (played) a group of bigger schools. I don’t need to apologize for going down and playing our size of schools. The Mid-Lakes has got very good programs. We’re going to have our hands full. I like the move for us, playing more teams our size.”
Johnson arrived at Hollister at the time this year’s juniors were in the seventh grade. He’s been pleased with the effort of all his players and would love to see them rewarded.
“It’s been awesome to see their maturity and growth and their hard work in the weight room pan out,” he said.
Hollister will host a jamboree on August 23, before opening at home versus Green Forest, Arkansas.
