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Princeton seeks to make another postseason run with some new faces
from August 2023
by Johnston Now
By RANDY CAPPS
PRINCETON — Change is a fundamental part of high school football, and replacing player production from season to season is a problem for every team.
Princeton’s Travis Gaster’s situation, however, is a unique one. The Bulldogs’ modified single wing produces gaudy rushing statistics, and heading into 2023, they will need to replace their three leading rushers who accounted for 600 carries, 5,765 yards and 79 touchdowns
“The production that we graduated is pretty much unprecedented,” Gaster said. “You’re not going to have another Christian Perris waiting in the wings. Or Jaydon Brooks or Peyton Mitchell. It will be more on our big heavies up front to create more for our running backs.”
Dalton Bebonis, a three-year starter, anchors the offensive line at center while Hunter Raynor and Tyler Norris also bring a bit of experience and grit to the unit.
“With those guys, it’s more about relationships, work ethic and coachability at that position than it is about perfect body size and body type,” Gaster said. “We look for people who are willing to be nasty. Not in a negative way, but in a work way. Be willing to go to work every day to improve their craft and be excellent in what we want them to do. Those guys fit that mold.”
The road to glory as a Princeton tailback is paved with work on scout
teams, junior varsity and even defense, and the latest player to arrive in the Bulldog backfield is Kaydn Haire. He was fourth on the team with 51 carries, 487 yards and seven scores last fall, in addition to his work at safety.
“After (Haire), it’s going to be running back by committee,” Gaster said. “We won’t have anybody with that kind of crazy stats, but we’ll have several guys who can contribute with the ball in their hands.”
Mitchell threw 23 passes from the “Fred” position last fall, in addition to the all-important role of lead blocker for more than 500 carries. Marty Holland has been working in that role during the preseason.
“That’s kind of the committee part,” Gaster said. “(He’s) done well in the spring and the summer there. He was our leading tackler at linebacker. He’s a hard-nosed kid, and that’s what we need. That dude’s a glorified fullback, but instead of giving them the ball on a dive (play), he gets to throw the ball 12 times a year.”
Defensively, linebackers Jack Hallow and Holland are the focal points. Holland tallied 123 tackles last fall, and Hallow (36 stops) is a two-year starter. Gaster also singled out Haire and Jacob Jones at safety and the growth and improvement of Grey Sullivan on the defensive line. Two years ago, McKinley Uzzell made 89 of his 90 extra points while converting three field goals, and Gaster is hoping to have Robert Govan as a weapon in a similar vein this season.
“He’s put in a lot of work this offseason, and I’m looking forward to seeing it all come together on the field for him this season,” he said.
