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Hubbard focused on Tallmadge
By Curtis Pulliam
Hubbard
Last Friday against Struthers, wide receiver Ethan Wassil knew his Hubbard High School football team didn’t play its best game. “I have to give them credit they definitely came out and played their best against us,” Wassil said.
Hubbard won, 36-13, but Wassil knows the Eagles can’t play like they did if they want their postseason going forward.
“I know it’s not an excuse but I don’t think we were used to the rain,” Wassil said. “It definitely messed with our game.”
There is a 60 percent chance of rain on Friday when Hubbard takes on Tallmadge in the Division III Region 7 playoff opener. Hubbard is the top seed after going 10-0 in the regular season. The Eagles have won 20 consecutive regular-season games.
“Everyone has to be focused and on the same page,” Wassil said. “We have to stay humble.”
Wassil and the Eagles have been looking forward to this game all season. Last year, the Eagles lost in Week 13 to Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, 40-7.
This year’s goal is to play in Week 15.
“I think there’s more pressure to be a leader,” Wassil said. “I got to get these guys fired up.”
The Eagles are aware of the pressure that comes with being undefeated.
“Is there any pressure going into Friday’s game? Of course there’s pressure,” Hubbard head coach Brian Hoffman said. “But you got to play with composure and push those things out of your mind and just enjoy the experience.”
Tallmadge is 6-4.
“We have to plan well for their multiple sets,” Hoffman said. “Their quarterback is a veteran and shows a lot of composure. The offense feeds off of him.”
Offensive lineman Matt Jones says the Struthers game was an eye-opener.
“We are going to come out better than last week,” said Jones, a West Virginia commit. “It was a smack in the mouth I think because Struthers had nothing to lose and we had everything to lose.
“It was a good learning experience for us.”
The Eagles are hosting a first round playoff game for the second consecutive year.
“It’s very nice,” Jones said. “The crowd should be out here and it’s a big game.”
Hubbard’s offense is led by running backs Larry Scott (Michigan State) and George Hill (Ohio State).
The Eagles have one of the most explosive offenses in the area accumulating 5,296 yards, 466 points and 67 touchdowns in 10 games.
Jones has no plans of letting up.
“We just got to keep moving the ball, our line has to get the push like we normally do,” Jones said. “I think if we do that then there’s nobody going to stop us.”
With Scott and Hill carrying the load offensively, Jones realizes how important blocking for them is.
“It helps, especially the line,” Jones said. “Say we miss a block. They’ll take care of it. They can make one, two guys miss.”
Even with all the success and accolades Hubbard has achieved, Jones knows Friday could be the end but is hoping it’s only the beginning.
“Got to take it day-by-day,” Jones said. “If it is meant to happen, it’ll happen.”