By John Bassetti

sports@vindy.com

HUBBARD

Remember Hubbard’s M&M attack of Morales and Moorer?

Although Rafael Morales and his 1,478 yards and 18 touchdowns are gone, Tyreq Moorer returns as the other power running back after gaining 887 yards and nine TDs as a junior in 2016, when Brian Hoffman guided the Eagles to an 8-3 record, including their 8th playoff appearance in his 10 seasons as coach.

Davion Daniels, also returns at quarterback after providing 500 rushing yards and six TDs. Daniels was also All-Trumbull County.

Now entering his 11th year, Hoffman is 87-28 through a decade as head coach.

The Eagles finished 6-4 in 2015.

OFFENSE

Besides Moorer and Daniels, an all-county selection, center Hunter Meyer, tackle Reese Best and wide receiver Ray Minniti are 2016 offensive starters back to help give Hubbard a boost toward another playoff appearance that ended with a 27-9 loss to Cardinal Mooney in a Division IV, Region 13 opener.

Along with senior guard Tommy McNicol, who had considerable playing time as a junior, among the eight others in contention for starting positions and roles on offense were sophomores Joe Bednarik and Matt Scheidegger and juniors Anthony Shaffer and Dakota Mayberry.

Two who could contribute in the backfield are Lukas Mosora and Jermia Harris.

The biggest void on offense is at the tight end/H-back position due to the graduation of David Hernandez and Dillon O’Hara.

Now, Shannon Slovesko, Hubbard’s starting QB for the first half 2016, is working at the H-back position as is junior Seth Jones.

Along with Minnit=ti’s big-play reputation, Jamie Thompson also returns at wide receiver, while Ryan Halavick, Dom Hover, Jared Southern and senior James Reese will play at the position as well.

DEFENSE

The three returning starters are inside linebackers Mosora and Halavick and Minniti in the secondary.

The departure of Salvatore Pesce, Andrew Cimmento and Wesley Best leaves Meyer as the only down lineman with substantial playing time from last year. Now, Meyer will slide between the OLB and DE spots, leaving the Eagles with nine in contention for wide-open line positions, including junior Mark Jones, Reese Best, Ryan Derr, Seth Jones, Bednarik, Scheidegger, Shaffer and Mayberry.

Mosora and Halavick were the Nos. 1 and 3 leading tacklers in 2016 with 156 and 98, respectively, while Hernandez was second with 112. Besides, Hunter, OLB duties could include Moorer and Slovesko with a couple sophomores in the mix as well.

Minniti started all 11 games at cornerback, but James Reese and Thompson also saw varsity time last year and are vying for the safety spots. Others cross-trained for the Eagles’ four secondary slots are Daniels at corner, Southern (CB/S) and Sam Mauk (CB) and Derek Matricardi (CB). Hover also has a home in the secondary after switching from OLB.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Soccer players Peter Pizanias and Anthony Corrin were battling for the punter and placekicker jobs.

Thompson and Moorer are expected to perform return duties again.

OUTLOOK

What’s got to fall in place for return to playoffs?

“Obviously, we have to work hard in camp, work as a team to get better, develop some good team chemistry, grow up fast in some spots and go from there,” Hoffman said. “We turned ball over at the end and gave them some cheapies, but we had our chance.”

Hubbard tied Struthers for the AAC White title with a 5-1 record.

“The conference has been very competitive the last few seasons and I anticipate the same this year,” Hoffman said.

Consistency has been a hallmark of Hoffman’s staff with Jon Mosora (defensive coordinator), Sean Borawiec, Dennis Parise and Sam Bellino (WRs), while the offensive coaches are Ron Fox and Ken Bencetic (QBs) and Tim Taafe (offensive and defensive lines).

Special teams coordinator is John Schiraldi and Tim Schiraldi handles LBs.

Hoffman also guides TEs and Fox coaches RBs and Fox and Bencetic help Hoffman coordinate the offense.