The River Valley Report 2024 Football preview | Page 23

THE RIVER VALLEY REPORT FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 8.11.2024

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KEVIN TAYLOR

SPECIAL TO RIVER VALLEY DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

Mason Wann could easily pass for one of Hackett’ s football players— not as the head coach.

But the youthful Wann is all business when it comes to his No. 1 passion— playcalling.

In just one season, the Hornets went from 1-9 to 6-5 under Wann’ s leadership, not too shabby when it comes to the mighty 3A-1 Conference.

“ We have to have some guys step up,” Wann said.“ We lost a lot of production from last year. I think we have the guys to do it. They just have to prove themselves on Friday nights, and I think they will.”

One of the big moves for Wann is moving senior Brycen Hamilton( 6-2, 190) to quarterback. It might be hard to top Hamilton’ s start to the 2023 season.

The Hackett standout caught four passes in Hackett’ s resounding 53-6 rout of Centerpoint. Hamilton will have a different challenge in this season’ s opener against Danville as he takes over under center.

The Hornets return Evan Gordon( 5-8, 190) at running back.

“ Evan has packed on some weight and gotten stronger over the summer,” the coach said.

Standout receiver Landen Slavens( 6-2, 180) is one of six offensive holdovers. Hackett also has six defensive holdovers, including strong safety Matt Garner( 5-9, 150).

“ We just need keep our heads high and have a good attitude,” senior lineman James Randolph said.“ Every game, we have to bring energy.”

Randolph( 5-9, 185) said the Hornets fed off Wann’ s energy from the start last season.

“ He gives us discipline, and he praises us when we do good,” Randolph said.“ He is a really good coach.”

Like most teams, most of Hackett’ s offensive starters will also play on defense. Depth could be an issue.

As for last season’ s turnaround, Wann said the Hornets adapted quickly.

“ We kind of knew who we were,” he said.

“ We’ re not going to have a ton of depth. We’ re going to have pretty good athletes, just not as many. Probably the biggest thing I learned is that we’ ve got to slow down the tempo because we have so many guys going both ways. I kind of did the same thing at Lincoln. A lot of times we would start off hot and then

2023 RECORD 6-5, 4-3 3A-1 Conference COACH Mason Wann( 2nd year, 6-5)

HACKETT HORNETS

RETURNING STARTERS 6 offense, 6 defense slow down.“ We have to be able to catch them

( opponents) off guard with our speed.”

Hackett will be under the gun early, with its first three conference foes( Mansfield, Booneville, and Charleston) combining for 30 wins last season.

KEY PLAYERS QB Brycen Hamilton( Sr., 6-2, 190), RB Evan Gordon( Jr., 5-8, 190), WR / SS Matt Garner( Jr., 5-9, 150), WR Landen Slavens( Sr., 6-2, 180), TE Nick Bass( Sr., 6-3, 160), OL James Randolph( Sr., 5-9, 185)

*— Denotes 3A-1 Conference game. All kickoffs 7 p. m. unless noted