Hawks counting on experience and youth at linebacker

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – After practicing twice on Monday, the Huntingdon football team took the field just once on Tuesday.

Head coach Mike Turk said the Hawks are battling through some nagging injuries, but the effort is still strong.

"We have a lot of guys out right now. They're banged up and we're trying to get everyone taken care of," Turk said. "But I'm really impressed with the way our defense is playing. The defense has a bunch of guys out right now at various positions, but the guys who are stepping in are playing at a high level. That says a lot about the depth we have on that side of the ball. They're getting after it and playing hard."

At the linebacker position, Huntingdon has experience on the outside but is looking for a new starter in the middle. The Hawks return senior outside linebackers Jacob Wright and Jake Green, who were second and third on the team in tackles last season. But Huntingdon has to replace middle linebacker Zach Brownell, the USA South Defensive Player of the Year, a first-team All-Region selection and an honorable mention All-American.

"There were two big concerns for us at linebacker coming into preseason camp," Turk said. "We had to identify who our middle linebacker was going to be and we needed to develop depth at all three positions.

"When you lose a guy like Brownell, it's hard to replace him. He had a phenomenal season and it's not fair to expect someone to step in and make all of the plays he made last year. But we're working to find someone who can step in at that position and help us win."

Turk said Brandon Mattox and Jeremiah Andrews are the two returning players battling for that job right now. Freshman Trey Hayes is also showing his ability in the preseason.

"Mattox and Andrews have been getting the reps with the first team and Hayes looks like he is going to be a player," Turk said. "Those guys seem to be coming along and developing. We're still searching for who the middle linebacker is going to be, but we're developing depth at all three positions."

On the outside, Wright and Green are looking to build off of strong performances last season. Wright, a second-team All-Conference selection, recorded 85 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception in 2014. Green had 75 tackles, tied for the team lead with 10 passes broken up, was second on the team with eight tackles for loss, picked off two passes and forced a fumble.

"Jacob and Jake both had great seasons last year," Turk said. "Jake has a great combination of speed, strength and intensity level that make him a really disruptive player. Jacob made the move from defensive line to linebacker last season and was playing really well by the end of the year."

Turk said Jake Rhodes provides depth behind Wright and Lake Romine and Vincent Lee are developing behind Green.

"Jacob has been out during the past few practices and that has allowed Rhodes to get in there and get reps with the first group. He's responded to that really well," Turk said. "Romine looks like he knows what to do and is comfortable out there and Lee is a freshman who looks like he will be ready to play."

The Hawks will take the field twice on Wednesday with an early practice at 9 a.m. and a scrimmage at 7 p.m.