Published Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1997
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1997 season preview
Hickory Hornets are finally coming home
``Welcome home, Hornets!''
That's the expression many fans might hear being vocalized by 12th-year coach Guy Gibbs this year.
After going an entire season without a home field, the Hickory Hornets return home this season. When the Hornets step onto their turf Friday night against the Brookfield Warriors, it will be the first time since Oct. 27, 1995 they will be the home team.
``Last year was a tough year,'' said Gibbs, whose squad finished 3-6 overall and 2-4 in MCAC-AA play. ``We were inexperienced on the line ... and try to go up against District 10 or Mercer County teams without a line, you're not going to win too many games. It really took its toll. It was a rough year.''
Gibbs is the 12th-winningest coach in Mercer County annals at 68-36-4 and needs two wins to surpass Grove City's Joe Hartman (69-61-11) and nine to move past Farrell's Bill Gargano (76-68-6) into the top 10.
``Hermitage has been great to me,'' Gibbs said. ``I've had great coaching staffs _ I cherish my coaching staffs _ and I've also had good kids. I've had some tremendous kids.
``Did I think I'd be here 11 years? I don't know. I love coaching and I love football. I'm Red and Black. I can't think of coaching anyplace else and I'm not interested in coaching anyplace else. And I'm looking forward hopefully to another good 11 years.''
The future could be near for Gibbs and his Hornets as 40 players, including 12 seniors, eight juniors and 20 sophomores, were welcomed into camp this year, although only six starters _ 4 on offense and 2 on defense _ return.
Leading the return is 5-foot-8, 165-pound quarterback Jeff Trott, who, according to Gibbs, is currently in a dogfight for the starting berth with sophomore Brad Allen.
``Jeff knows our offense, he's our field general,'' Gibbs said. ``That experience helps us offensively.''
Or at least it will if he can hold off the 6-2, 198-pound talented soph, a former Punt, Pass & Kick champion who is already handling the punting and kicking chores for the Hornets.
Allen saw extensive playing time in the Laurel scrimmage and was expected to split time with Trott in last weekend's Shenango scrimmage.
``We're going to have to make a decision because I want to have a starting quarterback named (this) week to get ready for Brookfield,'' Gibbs said.
Another top returnee is versatile senior Tony Pozar, who will play outside linebacker on defense and tailback, fullback and flanker on offense. Gibbs said he ``cannot see Tony Pozar off the field this year. He's that valuable. He will never leave the field.''
Other top returnees include: 6-5 tight end Harry Steele, speedster Torrance Gash and wideout Rob Mott.
Hickory will also be bolstered by a pair of transfers from Youngstown Chaney, the Isaac brothers, who moved with their family to Hermitage this year. Senior Andrew Isaac is listed at 5-9, 250 pounds and is projected to start at right guard and defensive end. Sophomore Steve Isaac, a 6-2, 185-pounder, is expected to start at tight end.
``They are two great kids,'' Gibbs said. ``They mix well with our kids, they're good athletes and they're very coachable kids. We're really happy that they're with us.''
Andrew Isaac will be one of four offensive lineman who will tip the scales at more than 240 pounds, a big change from a year ago for the Hornets.
Other projected starters on the line are: 6-4, 280-pound junior right tackle Nick Van Sickles; 5-10, 240-pound junior center Matt Holiga; 6-0, 215-pound junior left guard Dave Gargano; and 6-0, 260-pound junior left tackle Jeffrey Porter.
Projected offensive starters are: running back _ seniors Pozar and Antuane Cornelius, and junior Terrance Gash, who comes back to Hickory after a year at Farrell; quarterback _ Trott and Allen; wide receiver _ senior Mott and junior Torrance Gash; tight end _ Steele, Isaac and sophomore Dave Roddy; guards _ Gargano and Andrew Isaac; tackles _ Van Sickles and Porter; and center _ Gill.
Defensive starters could be: ends _ Andrew Isaac and Steele; tackles _ Van Sickles and Porter; outside linebackers _ Pozar and sophomores Torrey Keeley and Brian Blair; middle linebackers _ Gargano, Terrence Gash and sophomore Tim Tarkanick; defensive backs _ Mott, Torrance Gash, Trottand sophomore Derek Perkins.
Gibbs also saw a staff go through some major changes from a year ago. Gone are Mark Herr mann, Mike Drda, John Rafail and Tom Trimmer.
In addition to returning offensive coordinator Bill Brest, defensive coordinator Mike Nardone, Dennis Bornes and Steve Moser, Gibbs will be assisted by former Reynolds head coach John Sibeto. Also new on the staff are Doug Levis, Mike Jones and Armand Brenneman.
A key loss on the field from a year ago was Gene Blair, who is now at Akron.
