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 |
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|---|---|---|
| Paul Russick | Tyler Winters | Connor Schmitt |
TEAM: Honesdale Hornets
COLORS: Red & Black
COACH: Paul Russick, 2nd Season (2-5)
PIAA: Class 4A
2021 CONFERENCE: LFC Division II
2020 RECORD: 2-5 (1-3 in conference)
RECORD LAST FIVE SEASONS: 9-39
STADIUM: Honesdale Stadium
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 5
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 7
OFFENSIVE SCHEME: Pro
DEFENSIVE SCHEME: 4-3
2021 PREVIEW
It was a challenging season for coaches like Paul Russick who were in their first year at their program and had to deal with implementing a new system with COVID-19. But he likes where the Hornets are from a mental and physical standpoint and feels they can make great strides in 2021.
Honesdale will ride the running game as two-year starter Connor Schmitt is back for his senior year. He has rushed for over 700 yards in each of the past two seasons including last year’s shortened one. Johnny Kauffman moves from wide receiver to quarterback while C.J. Hinton takes over as the new fullback. Depth will be provided by Aiden Collins and Jackson Morton at quarterback; Max Mickel at running back; and Rocco Fluck and Aaron Phillips at fullback. Kage Southerton and Isaac Carmody are returning starters at wide receiver and will be backed up by Jake Mundy, Tyler Winters, Kole Fries, and Lance Peak. Hinton, Fluck and Phillips will rotate from fullback to the tight end position.
Josh Clark and Bradley Bennett are returning starters at guard. Jack Kelleher and Dallas Gombita will compete at left tackle while Kyle Hanson and Jake Turner are in the mix at right tackle. Caleb Bryant will be the new starting center.
Depth will be key for the Hornets on defense. Kelleher returns at defensive end while Hanson is a returning starter at defensive tackle. Fluck, Gombita, Bennett and Clark will all be in contention for playing time on the defensive line. Schmitt is the returning starter at inside linebacker while Winters and Carmody will play outside. The whole secondary is back with Southerton and Muncy at the corners and Kauffman and Mickels at safety.
Winters was an all-league punter last year and Carmody will handle long snapping. A kicker will be found during camp.
QUOTE FROM COACH RUSSICK: We are a run first team. Connor Schmitt led the team a year ago with 110 yds/game. We will have success based around him along with a few others in the backfield. We have two other running backs (CJ Hinton and Max Mickel) who have seen varsity action in the backfield. We will be breaking in 3 new offensive lineman and a quarterback. It will come down to how quickly we can get our new starters to mature and pick up the offense. We need to continue to tackle. We were young in the secondary last year, but now this will be our veteran group this year. Kyle Hanson and Jack Kelleher return up front. Connor Schmitt will be asked to lead the defense once again this year. Replacing some key players up front and finding a home for all of our returning skill players will be the key up our defense. Our expectations are to COMPETE. We expect to continue to get better each week. We have a very small group of seniors that need to become leaders.
RETURNING ALL-STARS – LFC Division II
First Team Offensive Line – Josh Clark
First Team Punter – Tyler Winters
Honorable Mention Running Back – Connor Schmitt
