By Chris Parker
Hillcrest won two games in the first season with Keenan Ganz as head coach. The Hornets are poised to increase that win total this season with 17 total starters returning who have a better grasp of Ganz’s expectations.
“The biggest difference from this year to last year is our understanding of the scheme at a deeper level,” Ganz said. “We are much further along than we were at this point last year. We are able to carry more scheme and get deeper into the granular details of our offense and defense.”
While Hillcrest does not have to go through a coaching change this year, the Hornets do have to get used to a new conference and schedule. They will begin play in the newly formed Ozark Mountain Conference this season with five new opponents on the schedule from last season.
“The move to the Ozark Mountain Conference is a good one for Hillcrest,” Ganz said. “It allows us to compete more often with schools of our size and demographic. Everyone here is excited for the move and the opportunity to compete in the Ozark Mountain Conference.”
The 12-player senior class will be at the forefront of everything Hillcrest does this season. The Hornets had nine juniors earn some form of all-conference honor last season.
“This senior class has been the foundation of Hillcrest football since I took over. They are a great group of young men that are high character individuals and talented football players. They have bought in, no questions asked, since my first day. They will have a major impact on the course of our season. I’ve been lucky to start my head coaching career with this group,” Ganz said.
Offensively, nine starters return led by quarterback Ethan Weaver. Weaver threw for 1,215 yards and six touchdowns last season. He added in 103 carries for 445 yards and five touchdowns.
Aiden Myers will be a versatile weapon in the passing game after he earned second-team all-conference honors as a tight end last season. Myers hauled in 29 catches for 311 yards and three touchdowns. He also was honorable mention all-conference as a linebacker where he had a team-high 65 total tackles and six tackles for a loss.
“Aiden is smart and explosive. Aiden plays two of our most difficult positions in tight end and Mike linebacker. Both require him to know a lot and communicate adjustments and checks to teammates. He made many of our explosive plays in the passing game last year, as well as, leading the team in tackles and being second in tackles for loss,” Ganz said. “I expect Aiden will continue to be an explosive threat in the passing game. Ethan has a great connection with Aiden that will only get better as the season progresses.”
Jay Carrizales and JaMarion Rowell will see a bulk of the time at receiver with Colton O’Neil, Talon Wells and Josh Jefferson as possibilities in the receiving rotation as well.
Jordan Tindle and Jude Cochran will lead the two-back approach in the backfield. Tindle led the team in rushing last season with 161 carries for 641 yards and five touchdowns. Cochran had 34 carries for 195 yards while leading the team with 36 receptions for 320 yards in the passing game.
Braxton Tindle, Brandon Gunn, Kipper Brandenburg and Xavier Grant are in the mix for carries as well.
Zach Gookin returns to anchor the offensive line after an honorable mention all-conference season a year ago.
“Zach was a really good player for us a year ago and he followed that up with the best off-season on the team. Zach cut around 75 pounds of weight in the offseason and will play this year at about 260 pounds. He looks and moves different compared to last year. Last summer, Zach’s top speed was 14.9 mph; this summer he hit 19.1 mph in July. On the field, Zach gives us a big presence at the line of scrimmage that we can run behind in crunch time,” Ganz said. “Zach’s understanding of the offense is extremely high. He helps get his side of the offensive line on the same page and he will do a great job protecting Ethan at quarterback.”
Cornelius Nolan, Kyle Hahn, Hayden Branch, and Cane Miller will round out the offensive line. Nolan started the final two games of the season last year while Branch and Miller are returning full-time starters.
The experienced offensive line and backfield have Hillcrest looking to establish the run in every game they play.
“I think the identity of our offense will be our run game,” Ganz said. “We have worked really hard throughout the offseason and summer to expand our running game and make each ball carrier a threat. If we can get our running game going the rest of the offense gets better and better.”
Defensively, eight starters return.
Kipper Brandenburg, Hahn, and Nolan have solidified spots on the defensive line. Cochran, Myers and Mikey Lee will be the linebackers.
The back end of the defense will be anchored by Rowell (corner) and Carrizales (free safety).
“We will lean on this group a lot,” Ganz said. “Having quality players on the back end allows us to play more man coverage. This allows us to commit more players up front to stop the run and pressure the quarterback on passing downs.”
Rowell was second-team all-conference as a defensive back last season. He had 22 total tackles with a team-high two interceptions last season.
“I tell every college coach I talk to if they aren’t recruiting JaMarion Rowell they are missing out,” Ganz said. “He is a great cover corner. He excels in man coverage because of his attention to detail and great footwork.”
Carrizales was honorable mention as a defensive back last season with 13 total tackles and an interception.
“Jay is one of the smartest players on the team,” Ganz said. “He is moving from field corner to free safety because of his versatility. He can fit the run, play man coverage, and make sure we are in the proper check.”
Jordan Tindle returns at strong safety where he had 34 total tackles last season. Other players that will see time in the secondary include Braylon Menifee, Brandon Gunn, Josh Jefferson, Colton O’Neil, and Ben Jerboh.
“The identity of our defense will be our aggressiveness,” Ganz said. “We will present many different looks to the offense, and we will try to apply as much pressure as possible to the offensive line and quarterback at the snap.”
Hillcrest will open the regular season on Aug. 30 at Central. The Hornets play their first Ozark Mountain Conference game at home on Sept. 13 against former Ozark Conference foe West Plains.
“I would like to see this team compete in all circumstances,” Ganz said. “We should play relentless, enthusiastic, and disciplined regardless of the opponent, the score, or any other factor. When we get to the point where we play our brand of football at all times, it will be a success.”
