Murphy pointed out that last year’s senior class didn’t win a game as freshmen, and nine members of that class are moving on to play college football.
“We feel like we’re doing a pretty good job,” Murphy said. “We kind of have that feeling like we should have one more year into the program. We feel like we’ve got a couple classes back to back that have won, whether it be at Garfield or Wilson or the freshman level. Now we’re looking to take that next step.”
Monday is the first official day of practice in Ohio. For HHS, it’s the beginning of a 2017 journey that includes a season opener at home against Moeller on Aug. 26 in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown.
That contest was originally scheduled for the University of Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium, but had to be moved because of revised NCAA rules that prohibit regular-season games on college campuses in August.
“We know we’re opening up against one of the best programs in the state of Ohio, in the country really,” Murphy said. “We’re just looking to compete. We feel like we’ve got kids that are working, a good football team that’s ready to break through. That’s our slogan this year.
“We still kick ourselves in the butt looking at last year. We feel like we should have been a 6-4 football team at least. We got beat in the last 1:21 against (Lakota) East, and that one still rubs us wrong. We’re looking ahead, though. We’re remembering where we came from.”
Murphy, 10-30 since taking over the Big Blue program, returns about two-thirds of his starters from last year.
The schedule is a bit different, with the Greater Miami Conference going to an eight-game slate in 2017. The only team Hamilton doesn’t play is Fairfield.
The HHS scrimmage schedule includes a trip to Centerville (with Dublin Jerome and Mount Healthy) at 9 a.m. on Aug. 12 and a home matchup against Fairfield at 7 p.m. on Aug. 18.
“It’s the best offseason we’ve had,” Murphy said. “We’ve stayed relatively healthy thus far. We’re the deepest we’ve been at some positions, knock on wood.”
Kevin Scholz, the son of former Oak Hills coach Dan Scholz, has joined the Hamilton staff and will coach outside linebackers.
Matt Hoover is running the defense, while Murphy calls the offense. Mike Dole is responsible for the running game, and Jason Lewis handles the passing game.
Big Blue may throw the ball a bit more this season. Sophomore Khaliyal Sowell is the leading candidate to replace Eric Jackson at quarterback, and Murphy said he has the potential to be special.
“His starting kit, with his throwing motion and fundamentals, is as good as any going-to-be 10th-grader that I’ve coached, and that’s including Tyler Osterman at Monroe, Cory Roberson at Northwest, and Steve Cunningham and Eric Jackson here,” Murphy said. “The kid’s an athlete. He can throw, and he’s a burner.”
Defensively, Murphy feels HHS is ready to take a big step forward. Senior Jason Smith is the anchor — he’s slated to start on the line for the fourth straight year.
Murphy said Smith likely will play more tackle this year after spending a lot of time at nose guard last season.
“He’s a dude,” the Big Blue coach said. “He’s 5-11, 6-0 and about 295, 300 pounds, and he’s as strong as a freaking horse. If this kid is 6-1, 6-2, he’s got offers from all over the place. So many coaches care about fitting those molds at the next level. He has been offered by Morehead State, which plays good football, and I see him getting more.”
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