CHARLOTTESVILLE — Many of the top players are the same, but a lot has changed.
The 2021 Eastern Hancock football team returns most of its skill-position players, but the offensive scheme and coaching staff are brand new.
Phil Morris, a longtime assistant coach at New Palestine, Mt. Vernon and Hamilton Southeastern, with head coaching experience at Rushville and South Vermillion, is the new leader of the Royals program. He replaces another veteran gridiron mentor in Doug Armstrong.
Morris’ football leadership began in 1980 as the New Pal freshmen coach. Along with head coaching experience, Morris has had multiple years as both an offensive and defensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
“If I could have said (when I started) I’d like (the transition) to go a certain way, it’s gone that way, real fortunate,” Morris said. “It’s an acclamation period for everybody, coaches and players alike.
“It always takes time, but I think everyone has adjusted very well and I’m pleased with that process.”
The Royals will be going from a spread offense to a Wing-T with multiple sets, in hopes to establish a steady balance of passing and rushing.
“We know, based on the last couple of years, the skill guys have been pretty good at throwing the ball. We feel like if we can balance the run game with that, we’re going to be pretty tough to defend,” Morris said.
Senior quarterback Houston Swan (6-foot-1, 205 pounds), the program’s all-time passing yards leader and senior Cole Rainbolt (5-11, 180), the Royals all-time leader in receptions, lead a slew of talented returning backs and receivers.
“It’s been going well. We’ve been doing stuff since the spring, so I think we’re hitting our stride,” Swan, who also owns many other single-game, single-season and career passing marks, said. “I think we’re going to have a good year.
“The first couple of months were a little bit rocky, but we’re getting it now. It all takes time.”
Swan threw 24 touchdown strikes last season and completed 133 of 232 passes for 2,005 yards and had 10 interceptions. He’s thrown for a school-record 5,667 yards and has been the team’s starting quarterback since his freshman season.
Rainbolt tied a school record last season with 10 touchdown receptions (Josh Roddy also had 10 in 2002). He is the career leader in catches with 139 and is second all-time in receiving yardage with 1,729, trailing only Austin Smith (1,825 from 2012-15).
“They are totally committed and I couldn’t be more pleased with their leadership, their effort, and their attitude,” Morris said of two of his four-year varsity competitors. “I feel like we have coaches on the field.”
Senior Zach Arnold (5-7, 140), who scored 10 touchdowns last season and led the team in all-purpose yards is another standout among the returning ball-carriers which also include senior wide receiver Landon O’Neal (6-1, 170), who had 20 catches and two TDs in 2020.
Arnold is the top-returning rusher with 515 yards. He also had a pair of 100-plus yard rushing games. He had 392 yards in receptions and 1,051 total yards, including ground gained on returns.
Rainbolt and senior Chase Riggs (6-2, 205), an offensive tackle last year and top-returning tackler from his linebacker position, are learning new positions along with a new offense.
Rainbolt has moved to the backfield as a tailback, while Riggs will join the ball-carrying crew by splitting time as a tight end and tailback. Arnold is a halfback in the new configuration.
Riggs, Swan and Rainbolt are all returning All-Hancock County selections. Rainbolt and Arnold were both All-Mid-Eastern Conference in 2020.
“I love getting the ball,” Riggs said. “It’s a weird transition, but I’ll do whatever the coaches want me to. That’s part of it.”
“He’s living the lineman dream.” Swan joked with his classmate.
The scheme isn’t the only new thing to the offense. The Royals offensive line will have a few first-time Friday night starters.
Senior center Carter Dishman (5-11, 235) and senior strong tackle Reed Hedrick (6-0, 200) are two O-line anchors along with tight end Riggs, but Morris was expecting to start three sophomores in the jamboree.
Youngsters in the mix for playing time on the offensive line include sophomores Logan Hoskins (6-0, 220) and Brayden Hill (6-1, 250).
Another sophomore, Brayden Sullivan (6-2, 180) is expected to see time as a wingback.
As is the case in most Class 2A programs, many of the key guys on the offensive side will be crucial on defense, too.
Hoskins and Riggs will be linebackers, while O’Neal and Rainbolt are expected to be the team’s cornerbacks. Dishman is slated to take one of the defensive end spots.
Others ready to go when the lights come on are junior linebacker Brayden Tincher (5-10, 170), senior safety Ashton Smith (5-8, 145), a cornerback a year ago, junior nose tackle Gage Tompkins (5-7, 150) and junior end Graham Hicks (6-2, 180).
Riggs was second on the team in tackles last season with 86, including two tackles for loss. O’Neal leads the returnees with two interception. Rainbolt had 55 tackles, which included 3.5 tackles for loss.
The Royals were 4-6 last year, beset by injuries after a 4-2 start.
They have plenty of returning talent that, as soon as they get the hang of things, could lead to a solid season.
The biggest of current goals is to win a sectional championship. If successful, it would be the program’s first since 2014.
Players and coaches believe it can happen.
“Right now we’re focusing on a Sectional 38 championship and having a good season,” Riggs said.
“Everybody is going to have to buy in to the process, come to practice every day and take it a day at a time and get a little better every day,” Swan said.
The Royals open the season on the road at Alexandria, a team they beat 45-21 last year in a game Swan set the single-game passing record with 386 yards. The home opener is Aug. 27 against North Decatur. It’ll be the Royals first meeting with the Chargers since 2017, a 38-21 victory for EH in Greensburg.
“These kids want to win and they have their sights set on a sectional championship,” Morris added.
“What has really stood out to me is the relationships with the kids,” Morris, who is returning to coaching for the first time since 2018 when he was an assistant at Mt. Vernon, continued. “The kids are having fun and you can tell they are really engaged. I think the belief is there.”
Along with a new head coach, the Royals have two new coordinators. Fred Bays, a former Mt. Vernon assistant, will be the offensive coordinator. Dylan Snyder, formerly at Greenfield-Central, is the defensive coordinator.
2021 Eastern Hancock Football Schedule
Date;Opponent;Time
Aug. 20;at Alexandria;7 p.m.
Aug. 27;vs. North Decatur;7 p.m.
Sept. 3;at Wes-Del;7 p.m.
Sept. 10;vs. Heritage Christian;7 p.m.
Sept. 17;vs. Knightstown;7 p.m.
Sept. 24;at Milan;7 p.m.
Oct. 1;vs. Monroe Central;7 p.m.
Oct. 8;at Shenandoah;7 p.m.
Oct. 15;at Lapel;7 p.m.
