CHARLOTTESVILLE — It’s a year of change for the Eastern Hancock football team.
Gone from 2017 are the head coach and over a dozen starters.
Despite graduating over half of their starting lineup on both sides of the ball, the Royals have added some key pieces in search of their fifth winning season in the last six years.
This year’s Royals have 10 seniors returning, and they are led by Hancock County coaching veteran Doug Armstrong, who officially took the position earlier this year.
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Armstrong brings over 30 years of coaching experience and has been a coach in Hancock County since 2002, leading the New Palestine Dragons and Mt. Vernon Marauders before making his way to Eastern Hancock.
He inherits a team with a lot of holes to fill but a lot of potential waiting to do just that.
“Our thing is we have to improve every single day, and we should, because we’re young and inexperienced. That’s going to be the goal,” Armstrong said. “Now, the returning players we do have, they have to lead the way. They have to teach, they have to encourage and show them how it’s done.”
Two big returners the Royals have are senior linemen coming off all-county selections in 2017. Brady Stephens and Alexander Burton are back, and, along with eight other seniors, will be counted on to provide leadership and experience for their younger teammates.
That includes Houston Swan, a freshman quarterback who has been taking first-team reps in practices this summer, and a multitude of other freshmen littered throughout the roster.
The Royals have to replace almost their entire offensive production from 2017, as the likes of quarterback Jarett Lewis, running back A.J. Muegge and receivers Luke Splater and Payton Wilkinson have graduated.
Those four combined for 51 touchdowns last year for Eastern Hancock, which averaged 332.6 yards and 26.5 points per game last season.
The defense, which had nine interceptions, 16 sacks and 18 forced fumbles last year, lost its top six tacklers and sacks leaders Jacob Miller.
With a roster nearing 50 players this year, though, Armstrong is optimistic his team can fill in the gaps with the help of players like Stephens and Burton.
“We’re trying to lead them in the right direction,” Stephens said. “All the younger guys are doing a really good job, working hard, trying to figure everything out. I think we’ll be fine.”
Stephens said he thinks Armstrong’s coaching style will benefit the team and the younger players, as well.
“It’s a completely different atmosphere at practice and everything,” Stephens said. “It’s a lot more intense. I think it’s going to help us a lot throughout the season.”
The Royals have several players who could play a role in the backfield. Replacing Muegge, the Daily Reporter’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2017, won’t be easy. But Victor Olivo, the team’s second-leading rusher last season, is back for his junior season. He’ll be joined in the backfield by Jake Johnson, a sophomore, and Garrett Friesen, a junior, among others.
The situation is similar at wide receiver, where several players look to factor in. Among them is Blayze Sarber, a senior who can play all over the field. Armstrong said he’s probably the fastest Royal on the field, and Sarber can punt, kick and play receiver or defensive back.
Another wide receiver on the roster is making a big impact on her coach and her team. Sammy Jo Gray, a senior, is in her second year with the team.
“She’s kind of inspirational,” Armstrong said. “She shows us courage and determination every day. She’s an awesome kid. It’s good to have her out here.”
Gray said that her coach told her he wants her to be a football player, not a girl playing football. She has taken that to heart and strives to stand out for a reason other than her gender.
“I’d like to be not just like every other player; I want to be unique,” Gray said. “At the same time, I want to work as hard as every other player. Everything they do, I do, and I try to do it a little bit harder or better.”
Her teammates notice. Stephens said having Gray and her work ethic on the field helps push and motivate the team.
“I just want to see everybody working as hard as they can, going at it every play as hard as they can,” Gray added. “Don’t give up. Just try your hardest and it’ll all work out.”
Last year, the Royals worked hard to turn around a 5-6 record from 2016 and finish the season 6-5.
It was a season of streaks. After an opening loss to Greenfield-Central, the Royals ripped off five straight wins. Then, they lost three in a row heading into sectional play.
The Royals picked up their sixth win of the year in the sectional opener before bowing out against No. 2 Scecina in the sectional semifinal.
This year’s schedule starts with four new opponents that weren’t on last year’s slate, but that fact isn’t something the team thinks about, according to one of its defensive leaders.
“I don’t think it matters,” senior running back and linebacker Gabe Lawler said. “As long as we work harder than the other team, we’ll be successful in the outcome.”
Opening the season with three straight home games could help the Royals get comfortable with all the new faces to the team.
They open their season Friday at home against Northwestern, then host Wes-Del and Fountain Central before their first road game at Heritage Christian on Sept. 7.
“I’m hoping that we’re pretty darn good heading into the sectional,” Armstrong said. “I don’t know how good we’ll be at the beginning, but I’m hoping we’re darn good at the end.”
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Date;Opponent;Time
Aug. 17;Northwestern;7 p.m.
Aug. 24;Wes-Del;7 p.m.
Aug. 31;Fountain Central;7 p.m.
Sept. 7;at Heritage Christian;7 p.m.
Sept. 14;at Knightstown;7 p.m.
Sept. 21;at South Decatur;7 p.m.
Sept. 28;at Monroe Central;7 p.m.
Oct. 5;Shenandoah;7 p.m.
Oct. 12;Lapel;7 p.m.
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Coach: Doug Armstrong (first year)
Last season: 6-5; lost to Scecina 41-7 in Class 2A sectional semifinal.
Key returnees: OL/DL Brady Stephens, OL/DL Alexander Burton, RB/LB Gabe Lawler, WR/DB Blayze Sarber, OL/DL Dylan Grose, seniors; WR/DB Connor Shultz, junior
Top newcomers: WR/DB Ethan Carie, senior; RB/LB Jake Johnson, sophomore; QB/DB Houston Swan, WR/DB Landon O’Neal, WR/DB Zach Arnold, WR/DB Cole Rainbolt, freshmen
Outlook: Eastern Hancock has a lot of starters from 2017 to replace, including the team’s leading scorers and defenders. With veteran coach Doug Armstrong at the helm, two all-county linemen and some promising youth, the Royals are positioned for another winning season.
Notable: Eastern Hancock was remarkably balanced last season, passing for 1,837 yards and rushing for 1,822.
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Are you ready for some football? Next week in the Daily Reporter, we’ll take a look at the other county teams as they prepare for the 2018 season. Tuesday, we’ll take a look at Greenfield-Central. Wednesday, we’ll catch up with Mt. Vernon and new coach Mike Kirschner. Thursday, it’ll be defending HHC champion New Palestine. And don’t forget game day — on Friday, we’ll take a closer look at all four school’s opening games.
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