The Hawks were 4-1 and owned a win over Festus at last season’s midway point. But they didn’t win again, allowed more than 50 points twice, and were quickly bounced from the District 1 playoffs by Farmington. It was the Hawks’ first losing campaign since 2010.
Don’t expect more of the same this fall, said head coach Lee Freeman.
“This team has taken on a completely different personality than the unit we had last year,” said Freeman, after seeing a week of practices. “We had our ups and downs last year and that’s not a secret. We didn’t play well at times last year and anybody who watches us would say that’s not a typical Hillsboro football team.”
Freeman said he likes the approach this year’s group has taken.
“The kids are working hard and they seem to be motivated,” he said. “Our energy has been good. There’s a lot of positives right now. We’re in no way ready to compete in November right now, but we’ll be really close in Week 1.
“We’ve plateaued a little bit as far as having a lot of seniors. Our numbers are in our sophomore class. We have seniors who will play, but there’s going to be some positions we’re going to be young again.”
Junior Dylan Dace got a baptism at running back last year and he led the way with 121 carries for 846 yards and 12 touchdowns. Dace is the top back this season and Freeman said he has several players ready to earn their varsity stripes.
Seniors Tyler Sizemore and Austin Perez give the Hawks two veterans at quarterback. Sizemore played behind Ethan Eckrich last year but saw some varsity action. He’s starting ahead of Perez, who played on both sides of the ball in 2018. Sizemore rushed for 421 yards and six TDs.
“Tyler’s athletic and is capable of running our offense,” Freeman said. “He does have the ability to make plays. There’s a little bit of maturity that needs to come with that position, but once he gets that, I think he’s going to be a productive player for us. Perez is savvy and he can lead the team if we have to have him. Right now, either one of those guys are capable.”
Hillsboro doesn’t pass a lot (39 attempts last season), but when Sizemore does put the ball up, he might be looking for Perez, who caught six passes for 57 yards. Junior Tristan Jones, who is still looking for his first varsity reception, will line up out wide. Senior James Weber and sophomore Conner Partney will spend most of their time blocking at tight end.
Freeman prides himself on having strong offensive lines, and he’ll have to make do without two-time all-Mississippi Area Football Conference Red Division lineman Joe Becker, who graduated this spring. Left tackle Jordan Jarvis (6-4, 270), a sophomore, could be the Hawks’ next premier player up front. Senior Luke Garner is the center and junior Zach McNees, a wrestling state qualifier last winter, is at right guard, with junior Elijah Rogers competing for the job. The left guard is senior John Moseley and the right tackle is sophomore Tyson White.
“This is probably the area that’s made the most improvements so far,” Freeman said. “We’re not going to be typical for us as far as size is concerned. But from an athletic standpoint, where we can get out and run, I think we’re much improved.”
Shoring up the defense is critical for Hillsboro to experience success this year. McNees (second team defensive end) and Moseley (second team linebacker) were the only Hawks to receive postseason all-league honors. McNees is strong at the point of attack on the D-line. Moseley will line up inside again after posting 58 tackles last season.
Senior Aaron Brody and his brother, sophomore Andrew Brody, are both interior defensive linemen. Sophomore Greg Sanders can play tackle or end and senior Daniel McCallister will start at end.
Sophomore John Bennett and freshman Austin Romaine are competing to play inside linebacker with Moseley. Senior Dominic Crady and junior Cody Smith will line up at outside linebacker, and Smith can play cornerback.
Junior Gabe King could start at cornerback with Jones and Perez at free safety.
When he’s not playing soccer, Mark Moore will be the kicker and punter. He kicked for the Hawks last year and went to kicking camps this summer.
“Mark’s a great human being and he’s going to help us out tremendously,” Freeman said.
Freeman said he and his staff have adopted the approach that slow and steady wins the race. He said his team is a bit deeper, thanks to that large sophomore class.
The frustrating part of Hillsboro’s fall from grace last year was it won at Festus before the collapse. The Hawks haven’t lost to the Tigers in six games dating back to September 2014. Festus reached the district final before losing to West Plains.
Asked about the conference favorite this fall, Freeman had a blunt response.
“All of them,” he said. “Coming off a 4-6 season, we don’t have the right to talk about anything. We had a tough loss at De Soto. We got out of Festus alive. North County beat us up. The score wasn’t indicative of the Windsor game. I thought they played a tough game and they should be excited about their team this season.”
Thinking even further into the future isn’t on Freeman’s mind, either. The Missouri State High School Activities Association announced that Classes 1-5 will play the state championships at Faurot Field in Columbia on Dec. 6-7.
“It’s one of those things, I don’t think about it a whole lot,” he said. “Those aren’t decisions I can control. I like the fact you can get through Thanksgiving without being rushed. December’s a great month for football. Playing in the cold is a good thing. I’m OK with it.”
Hillsboro opens the season at home against Sullivan on Friday and St. Charles West on Sept. 6. The Hawks beat the Eagles 30-17 in Sullivan in Week 1 last year. Sizemore had two TD runs, including a 62-yarder in the fourth quarter.