The HC football team is heading into the new season with a lot of changes, and the biggest one is the new head coach, Phillip Hawkins. After a tough year last season, the team is looking to bounce back, and the energy already feels different.
Senior Charlie Greening said the team has handled the coaching change well. “It’s definitely been a culture change,” Greening said. “But we’ve adjusted pretty well.” He also said that Hawkins brings the team together like a family, and that’s been one of the biggest differences so far.
As a senior, Greening knows he and his classmates play a big role in helping the team adjust. “We’re probably the most important because we’ve got to help lead some of the younger kids through the change,” Greening said. “We’re kind of the start of the new change, so that’s exciting.”
Hawkins came from Bryan Station High School and has a strong football background. He said he already had an idea of what the team was like from coaching against them in the past, but once he got here, he saw how much potential the players had. One of his first goals was to grow the team’s numbers—he said he spent months walking the halls, trying to get more students to play. That effort worked: there are now over 100 players practicing.
Hawkins also made it clear that playing time isn’t based on grade level. “The best 11 will be on the field,” Hawkins said. That means seniors don’t automatically get a spot, and they have to earn it just like everyone else. He said this mindset has helped raise the competition in practices, which should lead to better results on the field.
Greening believes fans will notice the difference. “They should expect a lot more winning, a lot more competitiveness in general,” Greening said. “This team is not at all what it was last year.”
Hawkins also wants to make Friday nights feel like a big event, and not just a football game. He talked about getting the whole school involved, from the band and cheerleaders to the students and staff. Even when the team doesn’t win, he wants the crowd to stay and support until the end.
With all the changes and new energy, this could be a turning point for HC football. The players are working harder, and Hawkins is building a strong bond with the team. It’s still early, but it’s clear that things are already looking up.
