Huskies ready to take next step this fall
Hewitt-Trussville High School’s football program is eager to get over the hump, so to speak.
Each of the last two seasons, the Huskies have put together unblemished, nearly dominant regular seasons without a loss in Region 4. But each season, they have also seen it come to a close in the quarterfinal round of the Class 7A playoffs.
“Overall, I was really pleased with our guys. It’s really hard to win a region championship in 7A football,” said head coach Josh Floyd, who enters his fifth season at Hewitt. “For us to go two years in a row undefeated was a big accomplishment for those guys.”
To get over that proverbial barrier — the Huskies have not advanced past the second round of the playoffs since 2008 — Floyd believes it requires depth across the board as a team. While that can’t be developed instantly, Floyd has seen the program come closer to that ideal over the last few seasons.
“That doesn’t happen in one or two years,” he said. “Now, we’ve got more quality depth because we’ve been in the system.”
Hewitt-Trussville moves back to Region 3 this fall, renewing several longtime rivalries in the process.
“We know it’s tough and I think it’ll be tougher than it’s ever been,” Floyd said.
OFFENSE
Scoring points has not been an issue for Hewitt-Trussville the last several years. Floyd’s high-powered offensive system has produced the two highest-scoring seasons in school history over the last two seasons.
Returning to lead the charge for that offense is quarterback and Alabama commit Paul Tyson, who burst onto the scene with a huge year last fall. Floyd said Tyson had a great offseason and has earned the coaches’ trust based on his understanding of the system.
“I’m going to give him more freedom this year than he had last year,” Floyd said.
Seth Shelnutt and Jackson Holland will provide depth under center for the Huskies.
In the backfield, Hewitt has plenty of weapons. Antonio Reed and Cameron Bledsoe each rushed for over 500 yards last fall behind Elliott McElwain and are back to compete for more carries this fall. Hewitt-Trussville added talented running back Armoni Goodwin, who moved from Florence, to the fold. Floyd also mentioned Sean Jackson and Clint Simpson as young talents that could see the field some.
The Huskies have a collection of speedsters on the outside, starting with in-state commits Dazalin Worsham (Alabama) and St. Clair County transfer Ja’Varrius Johnson (Auburn).
“They’re just really talented kids,” Floyd said. “They have developed and put on weight and gotten faster.”
Malachi Moore, Jamyre Reese and Creed Parker are some others that can contribute at receiver.
Up front on the offensive line, the Huskies have five-star right tackle Pierce Quick to anchor things, with Cooper McManic returning at the left tackle spot.
DEFENSE
Hewitt’s defense has improved from a scoring perspective in each of Floyd’s four years, dropping from 33 points per game in 2014 to just 19 last fall. For that trend to continue, the Huskies will need to be able to lean on an experienced defensive line and adequately replace much of the linebacker production.
Floyd perceives the line to be the strength of the Huskies defense heading into the fall, “because we’ve got so many guys returning there.” Tyler Antkowiak, Christian Renda and Maurice Williams were each big contributors last year and are back for their senior seasons. Junior Eric Taylor played some last year as well and is expected to take on a significant role.
In the middle at linebacker, Simon Miskelley is gone, leaving the likes of Derrion Walker, Sam Jones and Isaiah Reed to fill the void. Walker has moved over from the offensive side of the ball, while Antkowiak and Simpson could also see reps at the position.
In the secondary, Moore has established himself as a solid player and will be Hewitt’s top corner. Parker returns at one of the safety spots as well. Shelnutt and Trey Washington are expected to help out in the secondary, with Worsham and Johnson available to play both ways depending on circumstances.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Parker Colburn returns for his fourth year as the Huskies’ do-it-all kicker and punter. Last fall, Colburn connected on 14-of-15 field goal tries and has received interest from a few Division I schools.
“I wish he was going to be around a few more years,” said Floyd.
SCHEDULE
It may be slightly more difficult for Hewitt-Trussville to repeat the unbeaten regular season mark this fall, as the Huskies return to Region 3. The region produced both semifinalists (Thompson and Hoover) last fall, with Hoover winning the championship.
“I look at it as one of those things you can’t really control,” Floyd said. “I think it’s going to be better, because it’s closer and it’ll be more exciting.”
The Huskies will make region road trips to Oak Mountain, Spain Park, Mountain Brook and Thompson and will host Hoover, Vestavia Hills and Tuscaloosa County. They open the season on Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Hoover Met against Cedar Grove (Georgia), in a game set for 2:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN and followsa matchup between Hoover and Pinson Valley.