By RICHIE HALL
Old defense, young offense.
That could easily summarize the Hamilton Heights football team this season. Huskies coach Jon Kirschner listed several seniors playing on defense for this year’s team, all of whom saw playing time last year.
“Defense is going to be the key,” said Kirschner.
While Heights graduated its five leading tacklers from last season, there are still several players who got a significant number of stops. Defensive tackle Will Duncan brings back the most with 40 tackles, while defensive back Dre Chandler made 37 stops. Other familiar names returning are defensive back Nick Bichey, safety Cooper Craft, defensive tackle Colin Bortone and safety Justin Tilton.
“Our entire secondary’s back,” said Kirschner.
Meanwhile, the offense will be led by junior quarterback Drew Woodruff. He played in seven of Heights’ 11 games last season and did a decent job, throwing for 931 yards and four touchdowns.
“We’re going to be fairly young on offense,” said Kirschner, although he also said the wide receivers will be “senior heavy.” That list includes Chandler, who had 13 catches last season, Bichey, who made 12 catches, and Cam Fleming, who had 10 catches. Bichey and Fleming both scored two touchdowns.
Senior Nathan Flanders will be the main running back and also start as linebacker. Flanders rushed for 236 yards last season. Juniors Josh Getchell and AJ Flanagan will also figure into the running back mix.
The Huskies open their season tonight at home against Alexandria. It will be the first game in Heights’ newly refurbished stadium, which features new locker rooms and new bleachers – “new everything,” said Kirschner.
“It looks good,” said Kirschner. “They did a great job.”