Second-team all-conference kicker Chase Young is one of several experienced special teams players returning for the Hawks. As a freshman, Young was 7-for-11 on field goals and set a program record by converting 63-of-65 extra points.

Posted: Aug 16, 2016

Special teams working on consistency

By Chuck Tidmore

Sports Information Assistant

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Huntingdon football team completed its first day of two-a-days on Tuesday and focused on special teams in the afternoon practice. The Hawks will take the field in full gear at 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

"It was a pretty good practice," head coach Mike Turk said. "There was some good competition but we are still making way too many mistakes. What I emphasized after practice is, when we are good, we are very consistent. On offense, we didn't give anything to the defense, we made them stop us. Defensively, we don't give up the big play and make the offense earn it. If we can do that at a consistent level, then we are going to be pretty good. We're just not there right now."

One unit that is constantly improving is special teams. The Hawks return second-team all-conference kicker Chase Young, who set a Huntingdon and USA South record with 63 extra points made last season. Young finished his freshman season 7-of-11 on field goals with a long of 35 yards.

"Having Chase back is nice," Turk said. "He's gotten quite a bit stronger over the summer and is still working on his timing and trying to be consistent. He's kicking the ball off better and if we can get him consistent with that, it'll help our coverage tremendously.

"Buck Robinson held for us last year and he's back so that's a plus to bring the holder and kicker back." Turk said. "We are still looking for a consistent long snapper but right now Trevor Henson is our No. 1 guy."

Back to punt for the Hawks is junior Parker Allen. In two seasons, Allen ranks fourth in Huntingdon history in career punts (66), career punt yardage (2,386) and fifth in career punting average (36.2)

Behind Allen is sophomore Bryce Bump, who Turk noted has been working hard and steadily making progress in the preseason.

The Hawks return their three primary return men from the 2015 season. Seniors Nick Haas and Jamichael Bibb are back to handle punt returns and senior Willie Coleman is back as the primary kick returner.

During his junior season, Coleman shattered the Huntingdon record for kickoff return yards in a season by almost 200 yards. Coleman finished with a Huntingdon-best 28 kick returns for 779 yards and a touchdown.

Entering this season, Coleman holds the Huntingdon records for career kick return yards (1,149) and career kick return average (27.4) and is tied for first with 42 career returns.

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