When the football season began, Hamilton High School coach Ray Weeks knew what he would be getting out of Keshon Heard.
A junior for the Lions, Heard was one of the star backs a year ago on a team which won nine games and advanced to the semifinal round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 1A North State playoffs.
However from there, the Lions had several questions marks.
Off to good start
A 3-1 start has shown that Hamilton does have some answers and may indeed be poised for an even deeper run in the playoffs. Weeks likes this club’s chances as long as players stay healthy and depth continues to be built.
“The guys we were counting on to make plays are making plays,” Weeks said. “Every team has handful of guys that you are really counting on to carry the load and for us, our group has done just that.”
Heard is closing in on 500 rushing yards. He was back in the end zone three times in last Friday’s 46-14 win over Vardaman in the team’s region opener.
Junior Byron Butler continues to grow at quarterback. The Lions are beginning to open up the offense and put the ball in the air more with Butler. However, Weeks is mainly looking for leadership qualities and someone who can keep the offense on the same page.
“Byron is managing things real well,” Weeks said. “He is directing the offense and not making many mistakes. He doesn’t have to win ballgames for us. He just has to help put us in a position to win games.”
The real challenge coming into the season was going to be along the offensive line.
Senior left tackle Reed Dyess is a third-year starter, as is senior right guard Cole Williams. They are joined by senior Westley Fikes at left guard, junior center James Melton and freshman right tackle Michael Harrison.
“The biggest challenge for us was going to be how quickly the guys up front came along,” Weeks said. “Through the first four games, we have seen progress and they have gotten better. We are playing young guys on the offensive line and it is a huge jump from junior high to high school ball.”
Weeks feels fortunate that Dyess and Williams have been through the battles for two seasons and can lead the young guys. However, it is has to be a strong working relationship from older Lion to younger Lion.
“The older guys have really helped out the younger guys a lot,” Weeks said. “They communicate with them in practice and on game nights. It is important to have everybody on the same page. Having some experience up front helps out a lot. The young guys have taken everything in stride. They know the importance of working hard and learning as much as you can every day you are out there.”
While Hamilton’s offense has had big-play potential in recent seasons, Weeks know the path towards a state championship is paved by defense.
“We really hang our hat on defense around here,” Weeks said. “We play tenacious, hard and tough. We force a lot of turnovers. We try to set the tone in a game on the defensive side of the ball.”
Defense playing well
Hamilton is allowing 27 points per game on defense but that is number is slightly skewed by the 47 points scored by Class 4A opponent Caledonia in the Lions’ only loss.
“The biggest surprise on defense has been our play at the tackle spots,” Weeks said. “We have two new guys there and they have really responded to the challenge.”
Eighth grader Laderick Despenza and junior Anthony White are playing the tackle positions.
“The tackles control the line of scrimmage,” Weeks said. “Laderick may be one of the best athletes on the team. He is 6-2, 220 and runs a 4.7 40. He is very strong for his age. Anthony didn’t play last year as a sophomore, so it is good to have him back.”
Hamilton did return all of its starting defensive ends and linebackers.
Senior Michael Roberts and junior Aaron Fontenot are both third-year starters at linebacker. Weeks said the two are “very physical and move well. One other linebacker did transfer to Sulligent.
“The main thing we need right now is depth at linebacker,” Weeks said. “We have a couple of guys back in the secondary as well. We have had some interceptions and got other teams to turn the ball over. We have some guys who didn’t start last year who are getting reps and making great strides.”
Hamilton will look to make more strides Friday night when it plays host to Falkner (1-2). A year ago, Falkner won 32-27.
“Ever year, coaches have that one game you would like to have back and that was our game from last year,” Weeks said. “We had some injured players and we didn’t play well. We were in the same exact position before we played this game. Being 2-0 in region play is a huge advantage and we have that opportunity again Friday night. Hopefully, we can take advantage of it this season.”
Scott Walters is a sports reporter for The Dispatch. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @dispatchscott.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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