Defense looking to replace experience at linebacker

By Chuck Tidmore

Sports Information Assistant 

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Huntingdon football team moved one day closer to the end of preseason on Friday and will travel Saturday afternoon to scrimmage Berry College at Heard County High School (Ga.) at 6:30 p.m. (Central)

The Hawks have been working hard during training camp and head coach Mike Turk and his staff noticed it on Friday.

"We're tired, we're really tired. These guys are sore, tired, beat-up and frustrated but so is every other team in the country," Turk said. "We didn't handle it well today but it was pretty clear we're feeling sorry for ourselves, which is understandable but not acceptable. We just need to keep battling through it and maybe we'll start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel this weekend."

Defensively, Huntingdon has to replace its top two tacklers from last season, USA South first-team All-Conference linebacker Jake Green and second-team All-Conference linebacker Jacob Wright.

Returning for Huntingdon is 2015 USA South Defensive Rookie of the Year Trey Hayes. Hayes became the first Hawk to win the award and finished his freshman season third on the team with 57 tackles. He also recorded one sack, seven tackles for losses and one fumble recovery.  

"Trey has been very solid in the middle," Turk said. "The Mike position is the one who calls the defense and makes sure everyone is lined up correctly and he's been doing a really good job of that. He started eight games for us last year, so he's got a really good idea for a sophomore."

Senior Lake Romine and sophomore Cameron Compton lead the way at the other two linebacker positions. Romine finished with 28 tackles last season and Compton had nine tackles.

"What Lake brings to table is that he's a technician," Turk said. "He does everything right and always knows where he's suppose to be. He's a good athlete and a little on the small side, but he plays big and makes a lot of tackles. He understands the position very well and that helps him be a step ahead.

"Compton didn't play a lot for us last year, but is playing well in the preseason. He's at a position where he's going to have the opportunity to make a lot of tackles so we need him to be that kind of guy. If he continues to progress, I don't see why he can't be."

Turk said Colin Irwin, K.J. Traywick and Brandon Williams are also stepping up and competing for playing time. 

Following Saturday's scrimmage, the Hawks will practice on Sunday at 3 p.m. before taking Monday off for the first day of classes.

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