HILLTOP VARSITY FOOTBALL … (Front) Jadyn McClary, Evan Schoonover, Ethan Varney, Griffin McEwen, Connor Schlosser, Isaac Baumgartner. (2nd Row) Trenton Funk, Shane Spires, Alex Swany-Richmond, Hunter Leupp, Ty Creamer, Wyatt Beltz, Tyzon Pelfrey. (3rd Row) Shannon Spires, Dylan Eisel, Aiden Terrill, Shealyn Martin, Anthony Eckenrode, Jacob Dunsworth, Dalton Bauer. (Back) Student Manager Ericka Dennison, Coach Andy Schlosser, Coach Bill Boyer, Head Coach Nathan Massie, Coach Phil Fogel. Missing-Andyn Haynes, Chase Whitman (PHOTO PROVIDED)
By: Nate Calvin
Overall team experience is something Hilltop Head Coach Nathan Massie considers a strength for the 2020 version of the Hilltop Cadets.
Massie, who enters his fourth season as head coach, has an overall record of 14-16 including a 2-8 record last season (1-5 in TAAC). Hilltop will need to replace some letterwinners from a year ago led by Dan Shilling-RB/DL, Hayden Brown RB/S, Kaiden Clendenin (OL/RB, Carson Mahlman (OL/DL), and Adley McNeal (DL).
Even though Hilltop lost some experience in the backfield they do return their quarterback in senior Connor Schlosser (1,075 yds passing, 7TDs). Also back for the Cadets is Griffin McEwen-WR/DB (358 rec. yards, 4 TDs), Hunter Leupp (OL/LB (25 tackles), Andyn Haynes (139 yards receiving), Alex Richmond-RB/LB (204 yards rushing, 4TDs, 20 tackles), Chase Whitman-WR/DB, Evan Schoonover-OL/DL, Isaac Baumgartner-RB/LB, Wyatt Beltz-WR/LB (40 tackles), and Tyzon Pelfrey-DE.
Freshmen Jacob Dunsworth-OL/DL and Dalton Bauer-RB/LB along with senior Ethan Varney-WR/DB are three newcomers Massie sees as promising additions to this year’s team.
“We have a solid group coming back and we are improved on the offensive and defensive line. We need to stay healthy and get the new starters integrated to be successful in what is always a competitive league”, stated Massie when giving an overall outlook for the upcoming season.
Hilltop starts the 2020 season on August 28th when they travel to Tiffin Calvert.
Nate can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com