Development of offensive line key for Hawks
Head Coach Mike Turk on the first day in full gear: "We got tired at the end today, that was very obvious, but we did more today than we've been doing. It was hot, but we fought through it and there was a lot of energy out there.
"It was a good day for a lot of reasons, but we still have a long way to go. We're making way too many silly mistakes on both sides of the ball. We're consistent in spots, but we're not consistently performing at the level we need to be at to play well for four quarters yet."
Position Spotlight – Offensive Line
Projected Starters: LT – Reed Crosby (So.), LG – Bobby Robinson (Sr.), C - Adam Mann (Jr.), RG – Chris Hering (Jr.), RT – Kodee Kuncho (So.)
A Closer Look: The offensive line helped pave the way for one of the top offenses in Division III last season. Behind the guys up front, the Hawks ranked third in Division III in total offense per game (543.9 yards), eighth in points per game (45.3) and tied for 11th in sacks allowed (nine in 11 games) while setting Huntingdon records for rushing yards (2,960), rushing touchdowns (35), passing touchdowns (33), total offense (5,983 yards) and points scored (498) in a season.
The Hawks graduated three senior starters from the offensive line, but three experienced players return to lead the unit in juniors Chris Hering and Adam Mann and senior Bobby Robinson. Hering, a first-team All-Conference selection last season, returns at right guard and Mann started every game at center in 2016. Robinson, who played in every game last season, will handle the left guard position. Sophomores Kodee Kuncho and Reed Crosby each saw some playing time last season and will step in at right tackle and left tackle respectively.
Turk on the starting unit: "We have two guys (Hering and Mann) back who were full-time starters for us last year and another (Robinson) who started three or four games for us. So, center and guard are the most experienced positions for us. Both of our tackles (Kuncho and Crosby) are sophomores and played some last year.
"After that, we have a lot of young guys. So, every rep we can get right now is priceless. We have to keep working to find some guys who know what to do and can be counted on if we plug them in a game."
Turk on the importance of the offensive line: "We're replacing seven receivers and our starting quarterback. Until we can refine some things with the receivers and quarterback, we're going to have to depend on the front to handle some business for us. We're going to run our offense and do what we do, but we have to be effective with our running game. Establishing the running game is a big part of what we do and it's where a lot of what we do starts. And establishing the running game starts with the offensive line."
Next Practice: The Hawks return to the field at 9 a.m. on Monday in shoulder pads and helmets. Practices are open to the public.