There is probably no football team in Indiana that will be more grateful to be playing this Friday than Hamilton Heights.
The Huskies had two opponents, Monroe Central and Muncie Central, cancel on them due to COVID-19 concerns. But on Wednesday afternoon, Heights was able to find a game: Lapel announced that it would host the Huskies for a 7 p.m. Friday kickoff.
“We wanted our kids to play,” said Heights coach Jon Kirschner. “They’ve worked too hard.”
The Huskies have quite a few hard workers: Kirschner said there are 80 players out for the Heights team this season.
“We haven’t had 80 kids in the program in five years,” said Kirschner.
The Huskies went 2-8 last season against a difficult schedule. While Heights graduated some good seniors from last season, there is quite a bit of talent coming back. Experienced talent as well. That includes junior quarterback Guy Griffey, who put up some nice numbers as a sophomore, making 75 of 145 pass completions for 926 yards and eight touchdowns.
A top receiver coming back is junior Isaac Tuma, who made 22 catches last season. The running game for the Huskies last year was senior dominated; junior Nate Hulen returns the most rushing yards with 55. Hulen also made a big impact on defense, with 59 tackles.
Junior Harrison Hochstedler is another key returner. Despite missing significant time last year, Hochstedler also totaled 59 tackles. Senior Devonte Henson made 58 tackles.
Other returners expected to make impacts are junior wide receiver Gavin Bramel and a host of seniors: Lineman Joe Mayo, wide receiver Tristan Ehman and tight end/defensive end Brayden Elkin.
“My three teams, this is the most well-rounded, top to bottom,” said Kirschner. The coach credited his team with having a good off-season and putting in the individual work during the spring, even when having to do so on their own due to the COVID-19 crisis.
As a result, Kirschner said his team not only didn’t lose a step during the mandatory time off, “they may have gained a step. They’ve bought in to what we’re doing,” he said.
Due to the schedule change, the Huskies will now play their first two games on the road. After Lapel in Week 1, Heights will travel to North Montgomery for its Week 2 game. The Huskies will open their home season Sept. 4 against West Lafayette.
