Just be yourself.
That’s good advice for Windsor junior Nolan Hirth, the new starting quarterback for the Owls.
He steps into the shoes of Derek Williams, a three-year starter who rushed for 2,650 yards and ran and threw for 49 touchdowns, earning him all-state and conference Most Valuable Player honors (Mississippi Area Football Conference Red Division). Williams graduated in the spring and leaves a gaping hole in the Windsor offense.
Hirth, a lefthander, said all he can do is pour out his full effort on the field each week and hope people judge him on that.
“It’s a hard job, but one that’s going to be done,” he said. “(New Windsor head coach Jeff Funston) has told me what he wants me to do. We all know Derek was an all-around great player, but I’m different. My teammates respect that and treat me well.”
Funston, an assistant for several Windsor head coaches, gets his first shot at the job himself after succeeding Alex DeMatteis in the offseason. Having taught at the middle school and high school in the district, Funston has known many of his players since they were in sixth grade and watched them mature into young men. The day before Friday’s jamboree, Funston said he was excited about watching Hirth take control of the offense.
“I like our effort and overall team speed,” Funston said. “I like the way we’re buying into the concept of playing fast and getting after people. We’ve got some guys who are hungry for competition.
“Coach DeMatteis allowed me to do some things last year on offense that I was clamoring for and it’s a matter of refining it now.”
When Hirth stepped in for Williams last season, Funston said he made good reads on the defense.
“We knew coming back that would benefit us,” Funston said. “Now we need to get (Hirth) some experience. I’d like to say we’re going to do what Gary Pinkel did (as head coach at Missouri) and get the backup (QB) a series in each half. We’ll pick and choose our moments and we’ve got two sophomores (Claytin Blassingame and Anthony Fletcher) competing well for that backup spot. One way or the other, they’re going to get on the field.”
The Owls run a spread offense and have eight wide receivers on this year’s roster. The most experienced is 6-5 senior Conner Begeman, who was selected to the all-MAFC Red second team last year after catching 12 passes for 160 yards and three TDs.
Braden McCoy, a junior, replaces 2021 graduate Mikey Wilcott as the slot receiver and kick returner. Wolcott was an all-conference first-teamer on special teams last year. Receiver A.J. Patrick is explosive and Funston said he is setting weightlifting records at the school.
Jordan Foster, then a sophomore, stepped in at running back for Chris Butts last year when Butts was injured. Against Pacific in the Class 4 District 2 playoffs, Foster ran for 50 yards on his first play. Foster, Butts and Wolcott all scored TDs in the first half against the Indians, but Windsor still lost 50-34 and went on to finish 2-7.
Clay Scott played a lot as a sophomore at guard and at defensive tackle in 2020 and returns to anchor a strong offensive line.
“He tries to help everyone get better,” Funston said. “He knows every assignment on the line and he’ll make sure everyone’s going in the right direction.”
Senior tackle Travis Clouse is a three-year starter and will team with 6-2, 250-pound senior Keegan Thompson at the other tackle spot. Senior Justin Kirkpatrick (5-10, 275) flashed some skill in practice and will play both sides of the line. Funston said the linebacker corps is young but likes to hit, led by Clouse, Steve Wolf and junior Gage Ronzio.
“Once (Ronzio) steps on the field, as soon as the ball is snapped, he’s on,” Funston said. “It’s fun to watch.”
In the defensive backfield are Patrick, McCoy, Foster, Hirth and Emelio Ford.
Funston was still unsure who will take charge of the kicking game. Begeman did some punting last year.
“I don’t know if we have a frontrunner,” he said. “There are a couple who are becoming more consistent, but we don’t have it nailed down right now. We are treating this position as our special forces right now. This is the guy who will turn the tide for us.”
Last year when Windsor and the Blackcats met in the opener, the Owls trailed 12-9 and Williams dashed 90 yards for the game-winning touchdown with 4:57 to go. Herky has its own new head coach, Windsor grad and former Owl running back Blane Boss. The Blackcats would like nothing better than to ring their victory bell after defeating Boss’ alma mater.
“I’m hoping we have everybody from Herculaneum (coming) to Imperial (for the game),” Funston said. “At the end of the day it’s two high school football teams playing each other.”
Beyond the Xs and Os and wins and losses, Funston wants his players to be respectful and mindful of those around them.
“Our mentality about football and the way we treat our teammates, the crowd, the other programs here, (is) we’re trying to build a program (of respect) and that’s how we want the school, not just the football team, to be,” Funston said.