16 Aug 2017 HASKELL HARMONY GROVE: Cardinals aiming for more history in ’17

Conference: 5-3A
Coach: Paul Calley
’16 Record: 7-5

The Haskell Harmony Grove Cardinals made school history in 2016 by earning their first playoff victory.

“Our season was a roller coaster ride,” Coach Paul Calley said. “We started with three wins and a narrow loss to Glen Rose that had us feeling confident about our chances of making the playoffs. Several key injuries and great competition cost us three of the next four games, and Weeks 9 and 10 were must wins. We rallied to win those last two and played our most complete game of the year in the first round of the playoffs and won the school’s first ever playoff game.”

Senior Hunter Hilson is back at quarterback after throwing for more than 2,200 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2016. Jake Brooks and James Webb start in the backfield at running back and fullback, respectively. Logan Whitley, Sean Small and Zane Vergason extend the field at receiver. Jason Caple, Garett Nguyen, Kobi Riffe, Dustin Roush and Garet Gregory can pass protect and run block on the offensive line in the Cardinal Spread offense.

“Our strength is our experience linemen,” Calley said. “Returning Hunter Hilson is huge for us, but 85 percent of our offensive production graduated. Our skill players must mature early.”

Kyle Collins, Trace Dixon and Mason Massey apply pressure on the defensive line. Brooks and Webb put up big numbers at linebacker last fall. Brooks recorded 71 tackles, and Webb had 60. Colton Dixon and Mark Dixon start at the other two linebacker spots. Matthew Williams and Whitley defend the corners, and Small and Vergason roam at the two safety positions.

“Defensively our front seven looks to be our strength, but we’ll be breaking in a new secondary,” Calley said. “Prescott and Glen Rose will be the teams to beat while the rest of us will be fighting it out for the remaining playoff spots.”