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2025 HICKORY HORNETS PREVIEW

HERMITAGE – With eight returning All-Region honorees back after a District 10 Class 3A title in 2024, the Hickory Hornets enter their 81st season of varsity football action with high expectations. Seventh-year head coach Bill Dungee and staff welcome back numerous starters on both sides of the ball after last year's 10-win season.

If preseason camp is any indication, those lofty expectations could be met and potentially exceeded.

"I'm pleased with how things have went during camp. The guys are working hard and are progressing," Dungee said. "I love our team camaraderie. I love how our guys work."

Three returning starters will help anchor the Hornets' offensive line this fall. Senior center Luke Lewis will again anchor the line after earning First Team All-Region 4 recognition in 2024. Senior Michael Ristvey returns at left tackle after achieving Second Team All-Region while fellow senior Adam Tonty returns for his second season as the Hornets' left guard.

Senior Will Hosick, who played extensively in a variety of roles on the line as a junior, looks to hold down right tackle. At right guard, seniors Coltin Bernice and Amaree Gillespie are jockeying with junior Logan Byerly for the starting nod.

"The battle now is figuring out our best five," Dungee said. "But you always want seven. We think we have good depth there. It's just a matter of figuring out who will be at right guard."

Hickory will again frequently employ two tight ends on offense, senior Matthew Myers and sophomore Dante Evans. Myers will be the in-line tight end in most sets with the 6-foot-3, 230-pound Evans serving as the "move" man.

"We're expecting a big year from Dante," Dungee said. "He really worked to change his body to get quicker and faster."

All-Region tight end Trevor Borowicz moves out to wide receiver after catching 14 passes last year as a junior. He joins First Team All-Region performer Jadon Phillips at that position. Phillips, who is expected to work out of the slot more this year, caught 48 passes for 785 yards and a dozen touchdowns.

He led Mercer County in receptions and ranked third in receiving yards. Phillips has received numerous FBS-level offers, including Kentucky and Wisconsin.

Senior Mar'zair Garlock looks to start opposite of Borowicz after having what Dungee termed as "a great offseason."

"I'm really liking that group and the way that they work," Dungee said of his wide receivers and tight ends. "From a physical standpoint, there's good size and speed with that group."

Perhaps no Hickory player personifies size and speed more than does junior running back Kelvin Morrison. A two-year starter at running back, Morrison ran for 1,439 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024. He has 2,157 career yards and 29 career rushing touchdowns. Morrison is a returning First Team All-Region honoree who has received numerous Power 4 scholarship offers.

"Morrison looks great," Dungee said. "He's put on weight and, believe it or not, he's gotten faster. He's become a better leader and has a better understanding of the offense. He's the one who's going to lead us offensively, as far as a gameplan standpoint."

Junior Bryson Applegarth and junior Ja'Kyi King-Husband are expected to get carries at running back. King is a two-year starter and All-Region selection at linebacker who has played sparingly on offense until now.

Sophomore Christian Dungee takes over as the starting quarterback after serving as the No. 2 pilot in 2024. He played extensively at strong safety and as a kick returner during his rookie season while also seeing spot duty on offense.

"It's a big adjustment being in control of the offense," Bill Dungee said regarding his son. "There's a lot that we put on the quarterback's plate. Our offense is centered around our quarterback. We have some great skill guys but we have to do things to make sure he's comfortable.

"His desire is to be the best football player that he can be and that's all I can ask for."

Defensively, Hickory will again utilize a three-man defensive line. First Team All-Region honoree Lewis returns at nose tackle, flanked by Evans at end and Ristvey at defensive tackle. King-Husband returns at the Stinger position while All-Region honoree Borowicz moves from inside linebacker to the outside.

All-Region selection Myers, coming off a "phenomenal scrimmage" against Aliquippa, according to Dungee, returns at inside linebacker. Senior Kevonte Miller has the inside track to start on the strong side. Junior Nicholas Merced and freshman Jaxson Schneider have also worked their way into the linebacker mix.

All-State honoree Phillips returns at cornerback after recording a dozen interceptions over his first two seasons. Christian Dungee slides from strong safety to free safety. Morrison takes over at strong safety, with Applegarth also likely to see time at that spot.

Garlock has the inside track to start at the other cornerback position. Sophomore Mearlon Petterson will contend for time in the secondary, as well.

Hickory did lose rising senior Jamal Calhoun, a two-way All-Region selection last year, as he is focusing on track and field, his primary sport. Rising senior wide receiver Sebastian Bromley, an All-Region pick in 2024, has also elected to focus on track and field.

"Our biggest thing is building depth," Bill Dungee said. "We're trying to get some younger guys to step up, especially on special teams and in some backup roles. As the season goes on, you need guys to fill in."

Sophomore Callum Darraugh takes over as the kick. Garlock will likely punt, although Lewis has also punted during his Hickory career.

As evidenced by a 10-2 record and a district title, Hickory did a lot of things well in 2024. However, the Hornets averaged 81 yards per game in penalties and had five games with 10 or more accepted penalties. That cannot happen in 2025, according to the head coach.

"A big thing for us that I would like to see is us raising our level of discipline. We need to cut out some of the stupid penalties that have hurt us, especially as you go along in the playoffs."

Hickory opens its season Saturday, August 23 by hosting Shenango Valley rival Farrell. The Hornets' non-conference schedule also features Class 6A Erie, perennial District 10 Class 4A contender General McLane, Ohio power Canfield and Pittsburgh City League member University Prep. Region 4 play opens September 5 at Conneaut.