Hubbard has state expectations

August 24, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

HUBBARD

“They have a chance to be the best public school team from this area in a long time.”

That’s what one local head coach had to say about the Hubbard Eagles in early August. High praise for a team without an assurance at quarterback.

That’s how much running backs Larry Scott and George Hill are considered game-changers.

The backfield duo returns with high expectations in the box score and even higher expectations in the win-loss column.

“We talk about it every single day,” said Scott, whose Eagles went unbeaten in the regular season last year, but were bounced in the postseason for the second straight year by Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary.

“Just the motivation everyone gives us. It just comes from the motivation and dedication. We just cannot wait for Friday nights, man.”

With Scott and Hill together in the same backfield this year, opposing defenses might feel differently. Scott, a 2015 Michigan State commit, has rushed for more than 1,600 yards and 21 touchdowns each of the past two seasons. Hill, a 2016 Ohio State commit, had 1,175 yards on 100 carries with 15 touchdowns.

“I feel like whenever we’re in the game together that can be a game-changer,” Scott said. “We just stay working together on everything, and that’s what works out the best on the field.

“A lot of people depend on us to step up and make the big plays in the game and we just hope to go as far as we want to this year as a team.”

Offense

The question for the Eagles’ offense isn’t how, but how many?

They averaged more than 40 points last season and are aiming even higher this year. Exit quarterback Brennan Wassil and enter Cam Ingram, who began at Ursuline his freshman year, transferred to Liberty last season, and now finds himself in the most advantageous position in the area.

The new Hubbard quarterback may need time to get acclimated, but getting the ball into the hands of his playmakers shouldn’t be difficult.

“I think he’ll be good and he’ll fit right in,” Scott said. “All we need is that piece to the puzzle.”

Ingram’s competition is junior Dom Pantone and senior Tyler Taafe. In early August, head coach Brian Hoffman wouldn’t acknowledge a leader in the clubhouse, but it sounded like it was Ingram’s job to lose.

Defense

Hubbard’s defense would be a slight concern if its offense didn’t have the ability to outscore everyone on its schedule.

Scott said he plans to play more at safety this season, while Hill will use his speed (4.2 40-yard dash) at cornerback.

“We know what we can do on offense,” Hill said. “We will be able to execute on offense, but defense is where it starts at and that’s where we need to get to the same level.”

Taafe returns in his outside linebacker position, while big Matt Jones will continue to clog up the middle at nose tackle. The Eagles will have athletes all over the secondary with Larry’s brother, Isiah Scott, at the other cornerback position.

Special Teams

Expect senior Cameron Syersak to do most of the kicking, although sophomore Colin Burdette could beat him out with a good camp.

Outlook

There’s no doubt Hubbard will have a big target on its back all season. With the amount of talent the Eagles have, it may not matter.

“It always seems like every team that we play, since I’ve been here, always brings their A-game when they play Hubbard,” said Jones, a West Virginia commit. “It’s been that way and it’s always going to be that way.”

This is the best chance the Eagles have to get past their Divison IV hurdle in SVSM and makes a run to state.

“We got big shoes to fill from last year,” Jones said. “A 12-1 record is good, but we want to go to state —15-0, that’s what I want.”

Roster

1Mason BorawiecRB-DB6-1190So.

2David HernandezRB-DB5-10170So.

3Larry ScottRB-LB6-1225Sr.

4George HillRB-DB6-1195Jr.

5Cam IngramQB-DB6-1210Jr.

6Joe FisherWR-DB5-6140So.

7Dillon O’HaraQB-LB5-11190So.

9Dom PantoneQB-DB6-1195Jr.

10Tyler TaafeTE-LB6-2220Sr.