Stability equals wins?
SLIPPERY ROCK — For the first time since 2008, there is continuity in the Slippery Rock High football program.
Brendan Hathaway took over the program last season and stopped the carousel of coaches from spinning.
The results on the field, though, were not good. The Rockets suffered an 0-10 season and enter this year on a 14-game losing streak.
But Hathaway is more comfortable with his personnel and the personnel are more comfortable with him.
“Last year is in the past,” Hathaway said. “It's easier for the kids (this year). It's their second year in the system. It's the same terminology, same offense, same stuff for a whole offseason and a whole summer and it looks better.”
Last year at this time, Hathaway was still teaching the language of his flexbone/veer offense.
This year, it's second nature.
“This year the kids know where they are at and understand what they are supposed to do,” Hathaway said. “They even understand at a second position.”
One bright spot last season was the offense.
Junior quarterback Ryan Currie and senior wide receiver Sam Furrh were a potent combination.
Currie threw for 777 yards and Furrh grabbed 21 passes for 547 yards.
“(Currie's) just like anyone else, he's more comfortable,” Hathaway said. “He's making the right reads. We're watching film from last year and he's calling out, ‘I can't believe I did that. Why did I do that?' It's good to see. He's coming along.”
The offensive line protecting Currie should be strong again this year.
“I'm excited about the line. They put a lot of hard work in the weight room this offseason,” Hathaway said. “Ziggy Mertens at tackle, Dylan Brown at tackle, Dylan Bollinger at center, Caleb Whitney at tight end, Josh Antal — all those guys know two positions. Last year, there was a little more thinking involved. This year, they are playing faster.”
Whitney is an intriguing player. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound senior can play offensive tackle or tight end.
“He's a basketball player. He can run and catch,” Hathaway said. “It's a matchup problem. We're lucky to have him there.”
The running game should be a good complement to Currie, Furrh and the passing game this season.
Chris Thomas, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior, moves from wingback to fullback — a prime ball-carrying position. Hathaway also has a stable of other backs to turn to, including senior Ben Gaul.
The biggest bugaboo last season for the Rockets was defense.
Slippery Rock gave up 459 yards of offense and 43 points per game last season.The main culprit was poor tackling. That's something that Hathaway and his staff addressed from the first day of camp.“What we're trying to do this year is get more guys in the box and concentrate on tackling,” Hathaway said. “We have to stop the run. You're not going to out-scheme any of these coaches around here. What you have to get better at is fundamentals, get to the ball and make a good form tackle and get the guy to the ground.”That's easier said than done in a region that features a plethora of solid running backs.But Hathaway saw enough from his team in summer conditioning and weight room programs to feel optimistic that his defense will improve a great deal.It better.“We did an outstanding job in the weight room,” Hathaway said. “Hey, the proof is still in the Friday nights, but we've already had positives. They've expected success for themselves, and they should.“They want to have pride in putting the red and silver on,” Hathaway added. “I think that's where we're getting to.”
