Hubbard looking to return to winning ways
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HUBBARD -- Following a bit of a rebuilding season, the Hubbard Eagles look to find themselves back on the winning track.
Posting a record of 4-6 last fall, their streak of consecutive winning seasons was broken, ending one of the more impressive runs in the Mahoning Valley since 1998.
But the dawn of a new campaign brings newfound optimism, and coach Brian Hoffman and company are prepared for the road ahead.
"We've had an opportunity now to have the guys in and have our summer workouts going in June and July, now things are kind of coming together as we get ready for camp," Hoffman said. "Guys have been working hard so far in the summer, we have optimism toward our season this year. We have ten seniors, 58 players right now on the team, 15 lettermen, five offensive starters back, six on the defensive side. We graduated some guys that were a big part of our program last year. Every year you have to try and fill those holes, and that's what we're preparing for now."
That situation just makes the need for intensity during the offseason even greater.
"They're all helpful to see what guys are able to do and what their abilities are. This time of the year is the time when you're looking at guys and positions that they can potentially help you with," Hoffman said. "When we look at 7-on-7 scrimmages, those are helpful in that respect. In the end, I don't think you can gauge anything 100 percent until you go against other people, because in the end everyone can look good in shorts running around, but until the pads come on, it kind of separates those that will be playing a majority on Friday and those that play different types of roles."
Playing in the stout Northeast-8 Conference doesn't make things any easier, with tough league games including Niles, Poland, Struthers, Lakeview, Girard and South Range. The Eagles will open up their season at home against Brookfield, in a contest that was originally supposed to be the grand opening of the Warriors' new football facility.
Another home matchup ensues against Wilmington (PA), then Hubbard hits the road for a week three showdown at Howland. Thrown into the mix is a non-conference game at Beaver Local during week seven.
"Last year, our conference was probably the most competitive it's been from top to bottom since we went into the conference. Every week was a battle, a lot of teams last year had their best teams in recent years. We expect good games every week -- good programs and good coaching," Hoffman said. "We have to just prepare ourselves, work hard and try to get the kids ready."
"All three (of our opponents week one through three) have been to the playoffs in recent years. Wilmington has a state title on their hands over there, Brookfield is in the playoffs nearly every season. It definitely gets you ready for your conference play, those are some tough ball games to begin with."
OFFENSE
The offensive attack will begin with senior Alex Hackwelder, who passed for just over 1,000 yards in 2023, with a pair of touchdowns over the air.
Rushing for nearly 400 yards, he found paydirt 11 times.
"Alex brings some leadership to our team. He's a smart guy in the classroom and on the football field. I think he understands the game well," Hoffman said. "He's well received by his teammates, he's definitely a two-way threat as a quarterback.
"He can run and he can throw the football as well, so hopefully we can come together and kind of build around what suits us best with the personnel that we have and play well on the offensive side."
Mixing into the receiving core are juniors Braydon Songer (359 yards on 24 receptions) and Matt Chaney (318 yards on 30 receptions) as a couple of big targets for Hackwelder.
Junior tight end Rome Odem adds an additional threat on offense, along with juniors Michael Hazimihalis, Brady Krisuk and senior Geno Leshnak.
Battling for time at the running back position are senior Baron Reynolds-Penny and sophomore Antonio Burkley.
A couple of familiar faces return on the offensive line with the senior duo of Gabriel Hamrock and Nate Cochrane. Sophomores Jayden Smith and Ilias Maillis, along with junior Bobby Thompson will look to earn their reps on the line.
"We probably have about six or seven guys battling for those three (open) spots, right now." Hoffman said. "You always want to try and keep the defense on their toes as much as you can. Some years we're really run laden, but we try to tailor it to the strength of our team, and that's kind of the mindset we have. Having (Hackwelder) that can do both, bodes well for what we're able to add to the offense and what we can do to get other guys in the offense involved."
DEFENSE
Hoffman credits his team's secondary as one of his team's strengths, building on the fact the whole group returns. Songer (41 tackles), Chaney (37 tackles), Odem (75 tackles) and Hazimihalis (103 tackles) all carry that veteran leadership, with Reynolds-Penny and TJ Miller tossed into the secondary as well.
"All four of (the returners) were sophomores a year ago, so you take some growing pains, but hopefully you come back as juniors and they're seasoned a little bit, and I think that will help us." Hoffman said.
Krisuk (42 tackles) was one of the Eagles' biggest pass-rushing threats last fall at outside linebacker, while Hackwelder will also be manning the outside backer role. Leshnak adds into the linebacker room after returning to football during his senior year.
Vying for time at the inside linebacker position will be junior AJ Rossodivita, senior Lucas Malutic, Burkley, and Reynolds.
Similar to the offensive line, Hamrock and Cochrane are going to be cornerstone pieces as the Eagles fill out the rest of the defensive line.
"Right now (defensive line) is probably our most competitive position in terms of trying to see who the other guys are going to be. We have a lot of younger guys that are in the mix, we're going to try and do our best to play a lot of guys on our defensive line to keep them fresh," Hoffman said. "There's an opportunity to get on the field there if they can be physical and play gap sound football and play with good technique."
SPECIAL TEAMS
Both junior kickers return with Trent Reinard and Nate Reel for kickoff and field goal duties.
Still keeping options open for the punter, a slew of returns should give Hubbard options as well.
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