The sentiment around the Hillsboro football program is last year was last year … not to mention this will be a season of change for the Indians.
The story of Hillsboro's '12 season is known as they were winless at 0-10 for the first time in two-plus decades, and with that came the resignation of then-head coach Brian Spicer, who is now the head coach of the Westfall Mustangs.
The past three seasons, the Indians have won just four games (4-26), and the Indians will enter this year with nine seniors.
In the '12 season, HHS scored 91 points and allowed 461.
The new head coach is Matt Hodge, who is no stranger to the South Central Ohio League or this area of football as he was the previous head coach of the East Clinton Astros. Hodge has guided teams to the postseason in the past, as he's currently working on rebuilding the HHS program from the ground up.
"Bringing a whole new system in here, it is kind of a lot different from what the players are used to," Hodge said. "They've done a real good job studying and keeping up with things and learning the offense and the defense.
"I brought my system with me, with some tweaks for the personnel around here. For the most part, it's the same system (a multiple set). Our expectations are to win. The seniors and this group of kids last year, they went through a long football season. They've been working hard, and to have a goal of anything less than that wouldn't be fair to them."
Hodge also said his coaching staff has been great this offseason, as they are all becoming accustomed to each other.
"I can't speak highly enough about my coaching staff and the time and the effort they've put in and the job that they've done," Hodge said. "They're learning not only my system, but also working with the kids, and so far the kids have been absolutely great.
"Anything I've asked (the players) to do, they've done. They haven't complained, they haven't whined. When I ask something to be done, it's done, so it's been very smooth so far."
The Indians have already suffered a setback as junior starting quarterback Logan Lesley suffered an injury in a scrimmage against Southeastern and will not be able to start the season, as his return to the the field is unknown.
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Taking his spot will be junior Toby Warrington, as he does have some experience at the varsity level.
Hodge has more players who played at the varsity level last season, including Matt Arnold, a senior who will be looked at to be the lead running back this year. Also running the ball will be Garrett Baldridge and Cody Whaley.
"It makes my job a lot easier, with kids who have Friday night experience," Hodge said. "They know what it's like to be out there under the lights. They're not going to be shocked when those lights come on for the first time. That's nice, not only from an experience factor, but also from a leadership standpoint.
"In the backfield, we've been kind of rotating a lot of guys back there, trying to figure out who fits where. So far, I feel really comfortable with three or four or maybe up to five tailbacks, three or four fullbacks."
One of the more experienced spots for the Indians is their offensive line. Returning are seniors Zach Stacy, Todd Adkins and Jared Mosley. Also on the o-line are juniors Skylar Murphy and Jordan Mosley.
"Those guys are doing a real good job right now leading that group and putting us in the right situation coming off the football," Hodge said.
On defense, Hodge is a big fan of his secondary.
"I feel like our our secondary is really experienced and doing a good job," he said. "We've got a lot of returners back there and a lot of athletes back there, so we feel like we're pretty deep there. I like our effort to get to the football."
At linebacker, the Indians will have more of a youth movement.
"I feel like we're kind of young at the linebacker spot, but Jed Asmus and Lane Hester are doing a real good job for us there.
"We've got a good defensive line rotation going on, with Adkins and Stacy inside and even playing some outside, and the youngest Mosley kid. I feel like we've got a real good mix of kids going right now."
For the Indians this season, to improve from the previous season, it is about one thing … being physical.
"We talk every day about being physical. We want to win football games by outhitting people and being in the right spots and doing the right things," Hodge said. "We talk all the time about accountability and being someone that people can trust. If we can do those things, the wins will take care of themselves. We're excited to get started with the season."
