Hardin Northern looks to build off last year’s progress

DOLA — Continue to grow.

Hardin Northern head coach Travis Rettig watched a team overcome some injuries and inexperience to post a 6-5 mark and make the playoffs. In 2022, he wants to see the Polar Bears build off what they learned from last year in hopes of grabbing a Northwest Central Conference title and another berth in the playoffs.

“Last year we had a pretty small junior and senior class and this year we have only three seniors but a lot of young guys got a lot of experience last year so we are hoping to grow into our positions this year,” Rettig said. “We were pleased to be able to make the playoffs and that was a goal and have a successful winning season.”

Rettig pointed out that the Polar Bears began the year strong but then they were beset with injuries and by week three, five freshmen were starting, leading to the up and down year that saw them finish with a 2-2 record in the final four games but still making the playoffs.

“When you look back from week one to week 11, our growth and improvement was tremendous and we are hoping to build off that starting with the off-season and into this upcoming season,” Rettig said.

Fifteen letter winners return for the Polar Bears. It is a group sprinkled with talent and it begins with the Curtis brothers.

Colby Curtis, who Rettig said will be one of the focal points of the offense this year, was a first team, all-NWCC performer who averaged 8.29 yards on running plays and caught 26 passes, averaging 24.1 yards a catch.

Colby’s twin, Carter Curtis, will also be a main part of the offense as well but is injured. He is, however, expected back for the season.

Rettig said Xander Wilson had a break-out year last season as a freshman receiver and is expected to make major contributions this season.

Rettig understands he has talented, skilled players but will need to find a way to get them the ball as he breaks in a new signal caller after losing three-year starter Nevin Robson to graduation.

Nolan Hopson, a sophomore, is penciled in to be the starting signal caller.

“He’s a tough kid,” Rettig said. “He doesn’t bring the arm strength that Nevin brought, but just from an overall toughness and leader on the team he will fit that role nicely.”

With Hopson, Rettig sees the offense running the ball more this season. Last year he said it would be closer to 50-50.

“We want to run the ball more so we can set up some play-action passing,” Rettig said. “It is very similar to our offense of last year and kind of spread, wing-T look. We want to get Colby out in space from time to time but we want to run the ball. We had some success doing it last year and hopefully we can build off that.”

Helping with Hopson’s transition will be the fact that he will have some experience up front to block and protect him. Junior Clay Rager will be at one tackle spot and junior Justin Reffitt at the other with Kaden Guinn and Bo Bame at the guard position. Kam Franks will handle the center duties.

“We have a lot of experience across the board,” Rettig said. “Some of those guys started two or three games last year. We return a lot but they are still young guys. Those are all juniors and sophomores.”

Rettig said the front seven will be the leaders and strength on defense as they return the most players in these spots from last year.

This leaves time to help build the secondary back up and try to replace Robson, an all-NWCC and all-state honoree player as a defensive back.

Branson Grindell is back at one cornerback spot and Carter Curtis, who saw action there last year but not in the defensive backfield, will also be tabbed to see some time in the secondary.

“We are moving some guys around,” Rettig said. “We have guys moving in as safeties and corners and it will be kind of interesting to see what happens.”

Rettig said the emphasis for the defense this year is stopping the run.

“We want stop the run, first and foremost,” Rettig said. “Honestly, last year that was our biggest weakness and just overall physicality. Being an overall young team, you are going to have those kinds of struggles, so we are really hoping to grow into being known as that physical team that can run the ball and stop the run.”

Rettig said the expectations are to win the league and return to the playoffs.

“Winning the conference is always a goal of ours, but we want to compete in the top half of the conference, and compete and beat those teams. We’ve made the playoffs here the past couple of years so we are looking to expand on that a little bit as well,” Rettig said.

HARDIN NORTHERN

Coach: Travis Rettig

Years at school, Record: 3rd (19-13)

Last year’s record: 6-5

Division: VII

Returning Letterwinners: Colby Curtis (Sr.), Connor Curtis (Sr.), Brandon Henicle (Sr.), Bo Bame (Jr.), Carter Curtis (Jr.), Cooper Thomas (Jr.), Justin Reffitt (Jr.), Branson Grindell (Jr.), Sean Kuhlman (Jr.), Westyn Youngs (Jr.), Bodi Hipsher (Soph.), Xander Wilson (Soph.), Nolan Hopson (Soph.), Kam Frank (Soph.), Kaden Guinn (Soph.)

Promising Newcomers: Rowan Frater (Jr.), Michael Pizzuti (Jr.), Clay Rager (Jr.), Cody Spearman (Soph.), Kruz Curtis (Soph.)

Season Outlook: We want to take the next step as a program and compete for a conference championship. We return a lot of experience, but are still young and depth, for us is always a factor.

SCHEDULE

August 19 – at Arcadia

August 26 – Riverdale

September 2 – at Ada

September 9 – Ridgedale

September 16 – Perry

September 23 – at Elgin

September 30 –Upper Scioto Valley

October 7 – Crestline

October 14 – Ridgemont

October 21 – Waynesfield-Goshen

All games start at 7 p.m.