Highlanders have room to grow

HUNTINGTON -- Second-year Huntington High football head coach Zach Wilson conducted the opening of practice Monday morning for what he is hoping will be a much brighter season.

Last season Wilson led Huntington High to a 1-9 record. The Highlanders defeated Nitro in the final game of the season.

"I think we have the capability to have a winning season, but everything has to fall into place," Wilson said. "We have a young team, but we're always shooting to get in the playoffs."

The Highlanders caught every bad break that they could last season from player suspensions, eligibility issues to dealing with a thin roster. Things didn't get any easier when standout quarterback C.J. Crawford transferred to Nitro to play with the Wildcats.

Two promising sophomores, Steve Thacker and Tyler Hutchison, are battling for the chance to replace Crawford.

Wilson said both players look solid and right now its anyone's guess who will lead the team in the Aug. 29 opener at Woodrow Wilson.

"It's a good competition out there and both quarterbacks are pushing each other," Wilson said. "We have two capable quarterbacks and that's a luxury most teams don't have."

Wilson had close to 40 players show up for the first day of practice. That number could increase as more players get physicals and do all the necessary things to be on the field.

One of the top returning players is wide receiver Joey Christian. Last season he hauled in 19 receptions for 374 yards and six touchdowns. He figures to be the team's most dangerous threat downfield.

Players on the field Monday appeared to be upbeat as they head into the season.

"We have high expectations of ourselves and I believe this team is headed in the right direction," Hutchison said. "The quarterback competition between Thacker and I is very positive."

Huntington High worked on a series of passing drills and several different formations during the opening practice. Route running, 7-on-7 scrimmaging and conditioning are only some the things the Highlanders worked on.

"We install three or four running plays and seven or eight passing plays during these first few practices," Wilson said. "The first day is a learning process and the players that are confused will get a few days to clean it up and get a better understanding of things."

There will be no hitting until next week and that's when Wilson said it will become more clear on which players will claim starting positions.