of the opponent . Our expectations are to win when we step onto the field for this group and we feel like we are at that point that our kids know how to win and they expect to win .”
Some of that mindset comes from experience , as a host of this year ’ s seniors battled adversity two years ago and have made big strides toward this coming season .
“ We are looking to take another step to knocking on December football ’ s door there and try to crack into the month of December and play some playoff games during that time ,” Mann said . “ We are excited , the community is excited . At one point in this community there were no expectations with the football program . I am really excited that there are expectations now .”
Santo looks for more cohesion and continuity as they return nine starters on both sides of the ball , and the Wildcats have high expectations as they begin to evaluate .
“ That evaluation starts happening during that senior ’ s time ,” Mann said . “ Whether it ’ s a kid that is on JV and he ’ s killing it , having a really good year — and in some instances , that evaluation starts two years before that kid has graduated and we are lining it up to see where the puzzles are fitting together .
“ You never want to look too far ahead , but you want to find a kid that fits that mold and that playing style .”
One of those molds comes from behind center as a new quarterback will be named .
“ Our bell cow last year was Case Proctor ,” Mann said . “ He was our quarterback . He was a hard-nosed , tough kid , could gain tough yards , could break and take one to the house .”
Alongside Proctor was Hutt Thornton at running back , who will be taking over at the quarterback position .
“ He is one of our fastest kids , if not
the fastest , and can break a play as well and take it to the house at any time ,” Mann said . “ He has a really good arm on him . We are really excited for him to take the reigns , and to grow Hutt and to hand this team over to him and lead them .”
On the defensive side , aggression is one of the top characteristics Mann looks for , in part because it ’ s the hardest to teach .
“ Some instances you can ’ t teach it , so if a kid has that natural trait , you are already starting to plug that kid in the puzzle and determine where he is going to fit in because we can teach him technique ,” the head coach said . “ But if that aggressiveness comes naturally , it is a big bonus .”
That evaluation process is something ongoing for coaches , who may have a plan but have to determine how that plan works together .
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We are looking to take another step to knocking on December football ’ s door there and try to crack into the month of December and play some playoff games during that time .
“ Every year is different ,” Mann said . “ Our base offense will stay the same . You have that identity , but you tailor that identity to the team . You will have wrinkles here to fit your personnel . There will be some things tailored like there were for Case and his style of play , but it also has to be tailored to the other 10 kids on the field to fit what we have with that puzzle piece and that is what makes coaching so fun .
“ We are doing that every year , we have our identity , but we have to make that identity fit the team every year .”
Key players to watch on the Santo sideline include Thornton at QB , linebacker Billy Sandoval , running back Jake Bryan , fullback Luke Tucker and fullback Cash Johnson . Sandoval will take the role of captain of the defense .
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