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(Statistical Information Courtesy of Professor Briggs' archives)

HICKORY HORNETS 2021 FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW

Head Coach: Bill Dungee, 3rd season (15-5)
Last Year: 8-1 overall, Won Region title, Won District 10 3A title

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HERMITAGE -- In the 1990s and 2000s, the New York Yankees returned to prominence with their "Core Four" of Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera. While the Hickory High School football team won't be incorporating pinstripes into their jerseys this year, head coach Bill Dungee is counting on what he calls his "Core Four" to help keep the Hornets atop Class 3A in the county and District 10.

Guard/defensive end Sammy Mancino, tackle/defensive end Joey Fazzone, wide receiver/safety Ramarion Whitehead and wide receiver/linebacker Jackson Pryts have each started since their respective sophomores seasons. After excelling as younger players, the four decorated seniors are the leaders of the 2021 Hornets. "They're really leading the charge," Dungee said.

The Hornets also welcome back senior guard Collin Richards, senior nose tackle Hunter Dunham and sophomore cornerback Keenan Scullin as returning starters.

Junior Logan Woods started at strongside linebacker during parts of the 2020 season. He will be a starter -- but on offense -- as Woods is penciled in to replace the graduated Michael Henwood at quarterback. Woods completed 6 of 11 passes for 45 yards in reserve duty last season.

"Logan has been behind Michael the last two years and learning," Dungee said. "Logan has shown a lot of leadership. We have the utmost confidence in him. We're not asking him to be Michael Henwood, we're asking him to be Logan Woods. I think he can have a lot of success in his own right."

Woods will benefit from having two key pass targets returning, Whitehead and Pryts. Whitehead earned All-State honors after catching 55 passes for 935 yards and eight touchdowns. He set school records for both catches and receiving yards. Meanwhile, Pryts added 19 catches for 241 yards.

Junior Nash Porada will compete for time at wide receiver while Scullin has the inside track at H-back. Versatile junior Ty Holland will contend for time at tight end, fullback and tailback. Sophomore Sean Kennedy and junior Daywon Trawick aim to earn the starting tailback spot.

"I think we have a lot of weapons that we can turn to," Dungee said.

All-Region pick Fazzone, Mancino and Richards return on the offensive line. Junior Peyton Lawrence and senior Nick Maule are battling for the center spot while juniors Luke Klingensmith and Gavin Rogers are battling at guard. Several players could be shuffled on the line, however.

"Having three starters back on the line is huge," Dungee said. "The main thing with the offensive line is to get the best five (players) and figure out the positions from there."

Fazzone and Mancino return at defensive end in Hickory's 3-4 alignment. Lawrence and Dunham both played extensively last year at nose tackle. Dungee expects Maule, Richards and Rogers to play roles in the defensive line rotation this season.

"We really think that our defensive line will be the strength of our defense this year, with a lot of depth and a lot of guys who can rotate in," Dungee said. "Depth on the offensive or defensive line is something that we really haven't had in my first two years as head coach. To be able go six-deep should be huge this year."

Hickory's linebacking crew features only one returning starter in All-State honoree Pryts as Woods will focus on his quarterback duties. Pryts recorded 109 tackles and four forced fumbles last season while forming a dynamic pairing inside with the graduated Rocco Iacino.

"We think we have some talent at the linebacker spot but it's inexperienced," Dungee said. "But when you have a guy like Jackson Pryts leading that group, I'm sure they'll be fine as the season goes along. It's great having him in the middle."

Holland, Kennedy and senior Anthony Legg are the leading candidates to round out the linebacking corps. Holland and Legg both played as reserves last year while injury limited Kennedy's snaps in 2020.

Whitehead headlines the returners in the defensive backfield at free safety. He intercepted four passes last season and earned All-Region at defensive back. Scullin started on a part-time basis in 2020 and will hold down one spot. Porada has the inside track to start on the opposite side at cornerback. Trawick and sophomore Will Acrie are battling at strong safety.

"I've been really impressed with our corners during the summer," Dungee said. "When you have Whitehead supporting them at free safety, that makes for a good secondary. 'Ra-Ra' makes all of our checks in the secondary. He's very vocal back there. That's one of the biggest things, not only his athleticism, but his communication and leadership back there are huge."

Sophomore Lukas Jones will handle kicking and punting responsibilities. Jones, whom Dungee described as a "weapon" due to his improved leg strength, made 45 of 48 extra points and two field goals last year. He is the team's leading returning scorer from last year, with 51 points.

Last season, Hickory swept two regular season games each from Grove City, Sharon and Slippery Rock in region play. The Hornets then defeated Slippery Rock and Grove City in the District 10 playoffs. This year, the Hornets will face those three longtime foes, along with Conneaut, Ohio, and Titusville, in Region 3 action.

"Our region is very tough," Dungee said. "I don't have a lot of knowledge on Conneaut and Titusville yet. But with the four teams that I'm familiar with, every game is a battle. You have to come in prepared and ready to go. You have to be mentally locked in all week. Hopefully, we're up for the challenge."