Junior Colton Chinn prepares to make a block during preseason practice. A first-team All-Conference selection last season, Chinn returns as a starter at H-Back.
Junior Colton Chinn prepares to make a block during preseason practice. A first-team All-Conference selection last season, Chinn returns as a starter at H-Back.
Posted: Aug 13, 2018

Development of H-Backs key for Huntingdon offense

Head Coach Mike Turk on Day 6 of preseason camp: "Today was a quick turnaround after practice on Sunday afternoon. We didn't have as much rest between sessions as we normally do, but it went OK. We're still making a lot of mistakes and still going over some of the same things we've been going over since Day 1.

"We talked about that after practice and how that has to change. We can't keep making the same mistakes over and over again. We also talked about effort level and leadership. It's kind of spotty right now. We start off pretty good, but as we get tired that drops off. When things are starting to drag a little, that's when the leadership of a team has to really become vocal and step forward. We're still looking for that."

 

Position Spotlight – H-Back

Projected Starter: Colton Chinn (Jr.)

Others to Watch: Sawyer Kendrick (Jr.), Haylan Bailey (So.)

 

A Closer Look: Junior Colton Chinn returns to lead the unit. Chinn, a first-team All-Conference selection last season, started every game in 2017. In addition to being a key blocker in the running game, he finished with 13 catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns.  

Behind Chinn, are junior Sawyer Kendrick and sophomore Haylan Bailey. Both players saw action last season with Kendrick appearing in every game and Bailey playing in all but two games.  

 

Turk on returning Chinn at H-Back:  "Chinn is back and is a proven player. He was first-team All-Conference last year and he is a guy we want to try to do more with this year. We've thrown some new things at him in the preseason, but he is getting the job done. He is experienced and he's smart and he can handle what we throw at him."                              

Turk on the importance of the position: "The H-Back is part of who we are as an offense. Our offense is designed to utilize the position. Right now, we have three guys at the position who have experience. Chinn is the most experienced and proven of the group. Kendrick and Bailey both played last year, but neither of them played a ton. We need them to keep working, to gain experience and to continue progressing."  

 

Next Practice: The Hawks return to the field at 9 a.m. on Tuesday. Practices are open to the public.