“I think we’re as athletic and as strong as we’ve been since I’ve been here,” Murphy said. “I’ve put the extra time in with the strength and conditioning program, our attitude is great, and we’ve got a couple classes back to back to back that have won coming up through the system.
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“I don’t have a ton of concerns. We’ve got a lot of experience. We just want to get better and not take steps back. We want to play disciplined, assignment football and try not to beat ourselves.”
Defense has been Hamilton’s biggest concern in recent years. Big Blue allowed 28.3 points and 348.4 yards per game in 2016.
Murphy is confident the 4-3 defense will be better this season, anchored by four-year starter Jason Smith (6-0, 295) at nose guard.
SEASON PREVIEWS
“His quickness, his hands, his conditioning … it’s all just heads and shoulders over what it has been in the past,” Murphy said.
Junior Jai’Shawn Deaton (6-2, 225) returns at end, while junior Ryan Ponder (6-2, 225) figures to be a first-year starter at the other end spot.
Another newcomer up front is sophomore tackle Malcolm Bryant (5-10, 295), who played a bit as a freshman.
“He could probably pass for Smith’s younger brother,” Murphy said. “Another kid who will be a really good football player.”
Senior Jason Tendam (5-9, 220) is a returning linebacker. Junior Gage Retherford (6-0, 205) was a starting H-back on offense last year — now he’s in the lineup as a linebacker.
“The mentality that he plays the game with has just taken our defense to another level,” Murphy said.
Junior David Cunningham (5-11, 185) will be the Leo, a hybrid end-outside linebacker. Look for junior David Rucker (6-1, 210), senior Gabe Miles (6-3, 250) and sophomore Austin Campbell (6-0, 305) to contribute on the D-line.
In the secondary, senior Deon Tillery (5-9, 180) returns at cornerback, and senior Gabe Matthews (5-10, 160) is back at safety. Senior Quinton Henderson (6-0, 175), a former wide receiver, will be the other safety.
Juniors Leondre’ Pope (5-10, 155) and Arthur Walton (5-9, 150), sophomore Jayden Marshall (6-0, 180) and senior Darius Gilbert-Brown (5-11, 190) are all in the secondary mix.
“We know our defense has to be better,” Murphy said. “I really like the way our guys are flying around. It’s been a phenomenal offseason for some of our guys.”
SEASON PREVIEWS
A lot of guys have returned in the spread offense, including senior running backs Maleek Jarrett (5-9, 205) and Zach Reese (5-11, 190), along with a trio of wideouts — senior Johnny Jones (5-9, 175), junior Daveon Williams (6-2, 205) and junior DaQuan Maffett (5-8, 165).
Sophomore Luke Mattia (6-3, 215) will contribute as an H-back on offense while also helping on the defensive line. Sophomores Kevon Burnett (6-0, 170) and Khalil Daniels (5-11, 170) are promising receivers.
“We’ve got two athletic guys that can pound it a little bit running the ball,” Murphy said. “And with Jones and Maffett, there’s not two quicker guys out there.”
The spotlight will be on new quarterback Khaliyal Sowell, a 5-10, 170-pound sophomore. HHS may throw the ball a bit more this year.
“He’s a work in progress, but I really believe he’s a special young man,” Murphy said. “We’ve thrown a ton on him all summer and in camp, and he’s handled it very well. My thing now is he’s almost too selfless. I’d rather have that to work with rather than a guy that’s selfish and wants the ball all the time, even when he shouldn’t have it.
SEASON PREVIEWS
“Khaliyal definitely throws the ball, but he’ll run it as well. In comparison with Eric Jackson, Khaliyal’s a little more speed, a little less power.”
Returnees on the O-line are seniors Dillon Stone (6-0, 275) and Adam Wagers (5-10, 225) at guard, and senior Mark Pratt (6-1, 235) at tackle.
Senior Braden Baker (6-4, 285) started on the D-line last year, but will play offensive tackle in 2017. Junior Zach Scrimizzi (6-0, 250) is the new center.
“We feel like we’ve got a more big-play potential this year, giving up less on defense and having more on offense,” Murphy said. “We had to put together long drives on offense last year because we didn’t have a ton of team speed. With our speed this year, we’ve got some guys that I feel can be home-run hitters. And I really believe our speed on defense is going to help minimize big plays by the other team.”
Senior soccer player Gabby Oliva is slated to be Big Blue’s place-kicker. Cunningham is handling the punting duties.
HAMILTON BIG BLUE
Coach: Chad Murphy, fifth season (10-30 at Hamilton, 27-44 overall)
OHSAA designation: Division I, Region 4
Playoff history: 0-4 in four appearances (1994, 1997, 2001, 2010)
2016 record: 5-5 overall, 2-5 in the Greater Miami Conference (eighth, tied)
Schedule: Aug. 26 — Moeller, 7 p.m.; Sept. 1 — at Fairmont, 7 p.m.; Sept. 8 — Oak Hills, 7 p.m.; Sept. 15 — at Mason, 7 p.m.; Sept. 22 — Colerain, 7 p.m.; Sept. 29 — at Middletown, 7 p.m.; Oct. 6 — Sycamore, 7 p.m.; Oct. 13 — at Lakota East, 7 p.m.; Oct. 20 — Princeton, 7 p.m.; Oct. 27 — at Lakota West, 7 p.m.
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