New look Huntsmen setting high goals

• After finishing 3-7 in 2014, Huntington is looking to turn a new page, starting with its identity.
• The Huntsmen will look to junior quarterback Tanner Knece to lead the movement.
• Knece takes over for David Shoemaker, who led the offense in scoring and rushing last year.
• The defense will hinge on Billy Doyle’s play, who led the SVC in tackles with 117 last season.

CHILLICOTHE – Huntington is going into the 2015 season with a newly found weapon: balance.

The 2014 football campaign saw the Huntsmen finish with a 3-7 overall record, including a 2-5 mark inside the Scioto Valley Conference. As a team, they averaged just under 20 points per game (19.2) while surrendering almost 30 on defense (29.5).

Gone from last year’s squad is quarterback David Shoemaker, who led the team in rushing and in total touchdowns with 13, and running back Brad Fraley who rushed for just under 1,000 yards.

But even with those losses, head coach Alan Preston believes his team is fully equipped to reload instead of rebuild.

“These guys have come in, stepped up and worked hard this off-season,” Preston said. “This team is a lot different from last year. It was easy to just tell David (Shoemaker) to keep the ball and make something happen for us. Well, he’s gone so we’re depending on a lot of other guys to come in and get the job gone. We’ve had a pretty good camp and have had some good scrimmages so I like where we stand. But we’re working every day to get better.”

Taking over under center will be junior Tanner Knece who will be the driving force behind the offense.

“Tanner is a different change of pace compared to David. He can throw the ball better than David could. So that’s something we’ll use to our advantage,” Preston said. “He’s not as explosive as David but he’s a deceptively good runner out of the backfield. It’s a different skill set with Tanner running and passing and that will open things up for us offensively this year.”

Replacing Fraley as the No. 1 back this year is senior Austin Barker. Huntington will also have juniors Brian Smith and Jesse Lewis receiving their share of carries as well.

The big boys up front will be led by seniors Billy Doyle (6-foot-3, 260 pounds), Craig Briggs (6-4, 245) and Jake Schaffer (6-3, 245). Sophomore Lyle Watters (5-10, 245) and freshman Trent Waldren (6-2, 230) will fill in the gaps.

Switching to the defensive side of the ball, everything will begin with defensive tackle Billy Doyle, who led the SVC in tackles last year with 117.

“I think he’s the best defensive player in the league,” Preston said. “I think teams this year will game plan around him a lot more so his numbers might be down a little bit. But that will open the door for the other guys around him to make those plays, which makes our team better and holds our guys more accountable.”

Surrounding Doyle will be Watters (DT) and sophomores Jared Allegre and Trevor Henshaw at the defensive end positions.

Lewis, junior Gavin Snyder and sophomore Gage Bray will hold the fort down in the line backing corps.

The Huntsmen’ secondary will feature Barker and senior Micah Reisinger at the other safety positions while senior Donnie Garrett and junior Jordan Sharp are responsible for the edges.

“We have a new defensive coordinator in Spenser Smith,” Preston said. “He played four years at Bluffton University. He was on the staff last year but he took over the defense this year so it’s a little bit of a new scheme. We wanted to have a quicker defense and be able to get off the ball faster and he’s done a great job helping us to do that.”

With the pool of talent Huntington brings back, they have their goals set high.

A change in the offensive system, raw talents and a new defensive coordinator could all equal high success for the Huntsmen in 2015. Or at least that’s what they’re hoping.

“This is the fastest team I’ve had out here at Huntington,” Preston said. “We spent a lot of time in the weight room, our conditioning is pretty good and we’re only getting better. We’re starting to scratch the surface and turn the corner a little bit. We have to learn to handle adversity a little better but we’re a good football team and no one can take us lightly. We’re ready to get the season started.”

Huntington will have its first chance to show fans its new look, Friday at home against Symmes Valley. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

2015 Huntington Football Schedule

Aug. 28: Symmes Valley

Sept. 4: Wellston

Sept. 11: at Northwest

Sept. 18: at Paint Valley

Sept. 25: Westfall

Oct. 2: at Adena

Oct. 9: Piketon

Oct. 16: Unioto

Oct. 23: Zane Trace

Oct. 30: at Southeastern

Senior Spotlight: Billy Doyle

• Favorite NFL Player: J.J. Watt, Houston Texans

• Favorite Food: Tacos

• Favorite Song: Money and the Power by Kid Ink

• Favorite Teammate: “I don’t really have a favorite but if I had to pick one, it would be Austin Barker because he’s like my brother.”

• Favorite Coach: “Coach Wes Stevenson.”

Last Year’s Breakdown

• Record: 3-7 (2-5 SVC)

• Points Per Game: 19.2

• Points Allowed Per Game: 29.5

• Point Differential: -10.3