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Hughesville often competed hard and gave opponents battles for long stretches last season. But once a few things went wrong, they often compounded each other and the deficits grew larger.
It's a vicious cycle many a program trying to change its culture has battled as long as sports have existed. Changing the mindset can often be more difficult than teaching strategy. Once a team makes that switch, however, big things can happen with Jersey Shore, Williamsport, South Williamsport and Canton proving that over the last decade.
That is exactly what Hughesville is attempting and there are signs entering the 2022 season that it may be happening. Ultimately, what happens on Friday nights will determine the progress, but Hughesville put together an excellent offseason, shined at various 7 on 7s and is eager to experience the other side of things after enduring five straight losing seasons. That includes going 1-9 last year and closing on a five-game skid.
"It felt like something would happen that would be a negative and then we'd have a bad play and then another and all the sudden a game that we were in during the first half was 40-0, but they look like they're more prepared this year," second-year Hughesville coach Howard Rainey said. "These guys are here every day working out and are motivated. They want it more this year."
Players showed that off the field by showing up for offseason workouts in droves. They then proved it on the field by excelling at various camps. Hughesville played especially well at the Penn State 7 on 7, beating teams from Washington D.C., Maryland and Erie. The D.C. team featured a Division I wide receiver and all three were larger schools.
Summer success does not guarantee fall accolades. But when one has struggled the way Hughesville has the past five seasons, it sure is a nice start. And it could signal exciting, new beginnings.
"At that 7 on 7 we were down a couple times and we fought our way back through and beat some good teams," Rainey said. "They had much bigger numbers and that could have been intimidating but they fought through it and ended up beating them. That was sweet."
So are the numbers Hughesville is featuring.
More than 60 players signed up this season and several players who did not compete the last few years have returned. Hughesville received a big boost with five more linemen coming out as well. Combine those newcomers with a quality group of returning starters and offseason success and there is a reason the optimism is high.
"They're a lot more mentally prepared this season," Rainey said. "It's a matter of playing the way we are now."
Four players split time at quarterback last season, but Hughesville likely will go with Luke Kaiser as the full-time starter this fall. Kaiser is a versatile athlete who threw for 153 yards and two touchdowns in a Week 5 win against Warrior Run. Tyler Wetzel and Blake Davis provide good depth there and players like Jacob Fowler, Aiden Barlett, Angelo Ferrigno and Chaz Neidig all can stretch the field. Neidig missed most of last season with injury as did versatile tight end Garret Sharer, so having those two back provides a nice boost. Sharer also can be a difference-maker as a blocker.
Barlett and Ferrigno also could be used in the backfield as Hughesville tries replacing last year's leading rusher Brenden Knight. Kelby Gordner has worked hard throughout the offseason and also is in the mix as is one of the team's captains, Mason Hoppes.
Having a strong line in front of those players could make the biggest difference and there are positive signs about that development. Captain Josh Applegate, Bryce Burkhart and sophomore Russell Dewire all started last season. Dewire has excellent size and four new players this season are 250 pounds or higher. That size and depth could be a blessing, allowing Hughesville to rotate linemen in and out on both sides of the ball.
The defense played well at times last season, but often wore out late because it was on the field so often. The potential offensive improvement and depth could go a long way in fixing that problem. It also helps having eight starters back, including captain/defensive end Gabe Wagner. The team's top five tacklers from a year ago all return.
The linebacking unit looks strong with Hoppes coming off an outstanding junior season in which he was among area leaders in tackles per game. Freshman Luke Stutzman was a quick study and played well as he grew acclimated to the high school game, while Barlett averaged 6.5 tackles per game, good for second on the team. The secondary has a nice blend of experience and athletic ability with Fowler and Wetzel each coming off solid campaigns.
What Rainey likes as much as the experience and depth is the players' intelligence. Because Hughesville was younger last year, it sometimes struggled to fully understand concepts. This year, players know not just their positions and where they are supposed to be, but also where their teammates are supposed to be and that could make a big difference.
Hughesville was opportunistic defensively last season, forcing 25 turnovers. The key now is keeping that number in the same ball park while cutting down on the 24 turnovers the Spartans lost.
Hughesville will try starting to flip the script at Montgomery in its season opener. The Spartans have not won their opener since 2017 and a strong start could provide a springboard moving forward. Regardless of what comes up this season, moving forward is the top priority. The hits will come but if Hughesville can fight through them and keep progressing it could alter this program's complexion.
"That's what we're shooting for. I think if we can win that first one and compete well, they would be flying high," Rainey said. "Everyone is working hard and nobody is questioning anything. It's a much easier atmosphere in that sense because the kids aren't constantly asking why we're doing certain things. They understand it now."
2022 Football Players to Watch
Justin Fowler, WR/DB: It took him a few games to get going, but Fowler established himself as an effective receiver throughout the season, someone who could break some big plays as well. The 6-foot-3 senior is an enticing target with his combination of quickness and height and averaged 18.3 yards per catch. Fowler caught a career-high five passes for 77 yards against District 4 Class AAA champion Danville and then scored touchdowns in the following two games. He helped puncuate an explosive offensive performance in a 46-7 win against Warrior Run, catching a 51-yard touchdown. Fowler was all over that game, also forcing two fumbles, intercepting a pass and breaking up two more. Fowler intercepted two passes last season and was among the team's tackling leaders, averaging 6.4 per game.
Mason Hoppes, LB/RB: Growing into a team leader, Hoppes enjoyed an excellent season and was a second team Sun-Gazette all-star. Hoppes made a run at 100 tackles, finishing with 93 and averaging 9.3 per game. The senior kept getting better throughout the campaign, making seven tackles for loss, intercepting a pass, producing a sack and forcing a fumble. Hoppes also recovered two fumbles and was a wrecking machine in a Week 9 against Loyalsock. That night Hoppes made an area-high 21 tackles, including 16 solos and four for loss. He topped 10 tackles five times in 10 games and closed the year with 11 tackles against NTL-II champion Muncy. Hoppes is a hard-nosed player and could see some more opportunities in the backfield this season after carrying the ball six times last season.
Luke Stutzman, LB/RB: Last year seemed to be the Year of the Freshman in this area and Stutzman was yet another player who left his mark. As Hughesville tries turning things around, it sure helps having a player with a future as bright as Stutzman's. The linebacker wasted no time showing what he could do, opening his high school career with 13 tackles against Montgomery. Stutzman finished fourth on the team in tackles, averaging 6.4 per game. He forced a fumble and recovered two others. Stutzman started and concluded his year strong, closing with 10 tackles, seven solo, against Muncy. With leading rusher Brenden Knight having graduated there will be chances for multiple players to help fill the void and Stutzman could play a role in doing so after averaging 7.6 yards per carry in limited action.
Gabe Wagner, DE/TE: Wagner has proven quite an explosive player the past two seasons and, in bursts, he has looked like one of the area's top defensive ends. The key now is trying to make those two-week eruptions became consistent stretches which last throughout the season. If that happens, Hughesville's defense will have quite a weapon. Wagner has 5 1/2 sacks the past two seasons but they have come in three games, including 3 1/2 in 2020 against Bloomsburg. Wagner did show more consistency last season and averaged 5.3 tackles per game and made 10 tackles for loss. He made a career-high 11 tackles against Mount Carmel and had three for loss against Loyalsock. He also forced a fumble in that game and recovered another against Montgomery. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder made a special teams impact as well, averaging 30.1 yards per punt and placing three inside the 20-yard line.
--By CHRIS MASSE