Nighthawk football to rely on experience

PERU | Key players on both sides of the ball with plenty of experience will be one of the main keys to a successful season for the Peru varsity football team in 2021. "The coaching staff is looking forward to a great fall season," said head coach Ryan O'Connell. "We have a number of players returning in key positions for this year. We return three-year starters quarterback Zach O'Connell, running back Jack Hanson, and offensive lineman Ethan Lawrence. We are also excited to return almost the entire receiving core, with the addition of Keegan Smith. Smith will also have a huge impact on the kicking game this year as he is a premiere kicker in the league. Our offensive line took a hit with graduation, but Zach Hunter, Eddie Supley, and Lawrence will anchor the line and bring experience back from last year. Joining them on the OL is Keagan Welch and Bradford Mcbride." O'Connell said the defense will also have experience. "The defensive line will be led by Ian Westover and Landen Duprey who return as starters," he said. "Joining them will be Riley and Rocky Hebert, along with Welch and Supley. Our linebacking core is strong with Lawrence and Hanson in the middle and Jack Hayes and Zach Tyrell on the outside. The defensive backs will look to benefit from last year's experience. Zack Engstrom will play safety and Abram Southwell, Preston Daniels, O'Connell, and Smith will play strong man coverage in the secondary. "As a team, we look to benefit from the spring season and build on our learning experience last year in a few close games," he said. "We will face a strong Section VII football schedule that kicks off with a week zero game against Green Tech. We need to focus on doing the little things and playing as a team on defense. The big things will take care of themselves if we focus on the small things. We are all hopeful for a full season for all athletes in the section." Members of the Nighthawk roster include Abram Southwell, Keegan Smith, Preston Daniels, Sawyer Schlitt, Zach O'Connell, Jack Hayes, Riley Hebert, Rocky Hebert, Ethan Breen, Zack Engstrom, Zach Tyrell, Ryder Estes, Zack Harblin-Bowlby, Jack Hanson, Landen Duprey, Jacob Hailey, Eddie Supley, Zach Hunter, Keagan Welch, Bennett Steady, JP Corrow, David Parks, Ethan Lawrence, Kaiyden Healey, Bryce Wiggins, Mason Patnode, Gavin Theriault, Bradford McBride, and Ian Westover.

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Nighthawk football to rely on experience

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