MYRTLE FOOTBALL
Hawks experience home field for first time in 2020 FAST FACTS
Division: 1-1A 2019 record: 6-6, 5-2 (Playoffs: lost first round)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ethen Hunt, RB/LB (Senior) Takes over as the Hawks featured back after he rushed for 525 yards & 4 TDs; 49 tackles last season. Carl Graham, RB/WR/DB (Senior) - Had 500 yards total offense last season and recorded 5 interceptions on defense. Connor Coleman, OL/DL (Senior) - Allowed 1 sack on offensive line, had 55 tackles, 4 sacks on defense.
OFFENSE
Myrtle must replace over 1,900 rushing yards with the departure of A.I. Nugent, but Ethen Hunt has the experience and hopes to fill the void. The Hawks plan to use a offense by committee approach to give more Hawks the opportunity to get touches and make contributions. “We return four of our starting offensive linemen from last season,” Myrtle coach Jeremy Smithey said. “One of the keys for this season will be how they continue to develop as a unit. “Conner Coleman will headline the unit as a member of last year’s second team All-State. The new offensive scheme this year should put the ball in the hands of a number of different players.”
DEFENSE
“Defensively, we will return 8-9 starters off of last year’s team,”
18 2020 Fall Sports Preview
Smithey said. “Shelton Graves (Jr.), Ethen Hunt, Carl Graham, and Caden Hutcheson (Jr.) were members of 1st Team All-Division last year. “Andrew Phillips (Sr.) could emerge as a force on the defensive line. Experience on this side of the ball should help us as we continue to implement new schemes this season.”
SPECIAL TEAMS
Benji Dillard will return as the Myrtle kicker this fall. According to Smithey, Dillard has developed a strong leg, and his ability to hit long field goals could be a key factor in several games this fall. Dillard and Elijah Thompson (Sr.) will both serve as punters. Luke Gaines (Sr.) will be the Hawks long snapper.
X-FACTOR
“The development of some of our freshmen and the percentage of our offensive package that we are able to feasibly use in games should become our X-factor,” said Smithey.
SCHEDULE ANALYSIS
Myrtle will finally have a true home field advantage in 2020 as they open up their new facility next to the softball/baseball complex. The Hawks had played their home games in previous years at the New Albany Sportsplex in BNA Bank Park. Myrtle will open the season with only two non-division games, traveling to Marshall Academy in week one then playing host to 2A Walnut. After that, the Hawks jump into a busy 1-1A slate that features home games with Biggersville,
Head Coach Jeremy Smithey (second season at Myrtle) Assistant Coaches:
Rob Browning, Michael Kelly, and James Baker
Athletic Trainer:
Mandy Wise
Thrasher and HW Byers. Myrtle will have to travel to four venues which include Falkner, Ashland, Coldwater and Baldwyn. “The delayed start is going to make us adapt our normal early season schedule,” Smithey said. “However, I see it as an opportunity to get more work in to prepare for the season. It will help us make up for the time we missed in spring practice.”
COACH SPEAK
“I love this group of kids. The core group of this year’s team were the kids that got this program started. I want this season to be memorable for them. They will finally have a field to call their own.” - Jeremy Smithey.
