Hubbard accustomed to playing in Week 11
Hubbard football has been a constant in the OHSAA playoffs, missing the postseason only five times since 2000. The Eagles continue that success going into another week 11.
“Anytime you get a chance to extend your season and have a chance to work with the guys another week it’s a positive thing,” Hubbard coach Brian Hoffman said. “We’re excited for that opportunity and look forward to the game on Saturday.”
The Eagles finished the season 6-4 and, despite a rough end to the season, finished 4-3 in conference play.
“We had a good season,” Hoffman said. “We were competitive. I’m not making excuses but we had some key injuries and we got onto a little bit of a roll toward the end of the season. We had some things that we had to deal with internally as a team and we need to play better football.”
Just as important as playing better, is having a plan and having proper focus. Hoffman thinks the team needs to have an improved mindset going into the postseason.
“Everytime you watch film you see things that you can improve on,” Hoffman said. “Hopefully you can put together the best plan you can for the guys that you have and go out there and try to play your best football. I think we have to be ready this week and focus and worry about us and not anybody else.”
Hubbard looks to put that plan into practice against Wintersville Indian Creek. Indian Creek returns a glut of talent and finished the season 9-1 and third in the region.
“They’re similar to last year,” Hoffman said. “They return experience from a year ago at the skill positions, quarterback, recievers and running back. They had a great season and we have some big challenges. They’re formidable, they score a lot of points. Offensively they spread it, they run a lot of power so we have to prepare for those things.”
Indian Creek is a familiar name to Eagle fans who may remember Hubbard’s 51-21 victory in the opening round of the 2018 playoffs, but every year is different according to Hoffman.
“It’s a different season,” he said. “Yeah, we had success last year but we’re not talking about that. We have a new supporting cast so we’re going to have to play on our strengths going into this game, just try to do better than the past few weeks and see what happens.”
That new season has brought a new quarterback to the team. Quarterback Cam Resatar has been the definition of a dual threat for the Eagles, accumulating 1,015 total yards, with 524 on the ground and 491 through the air.
Resatar was sidelined for Hubbard’s game against Niles and saw limited action the next week against Poland.
While not guaranteed, Hoffman expects Resatar to suit up under center for the Eagles, bringing valuable leadership to the team.
“He brings leadership on the offensive side and making sure guys are in the right spot and doing the right things,” Hoffman said. “He’s been a big part of our offense and he’s a catalyst on the offensive side.”
The Eagles travel down to Jefferson County to take on Indian Creek on Friday at 7 p.m. If Hubbard comes out on top they’ll be in store for a Northeast-8 rematch, facing either Poland or Struthers.