This figures to be a transition season for the Dighton High School football team.
For the first time in six years they won’t be in a cooperative agreement with Ness City.
And for the first time in school history they’re playing in the eight-man ranks.
However, the learning curve may be a short one for the Hornets.
First of all, most of the same players did have an introduction to eight-man football at the junior high level where they have had success.
Secondly, this group has the talent at the skilled positions, and enough returning experience on the offensive line, that success could come early and often.
“The biggest adjustment for the boys is the speed of the game,” says second year head coach Faron Kraft. “In 11-man you have to be more patient and let plays develop. In eight-man it often comes down to whoever has the speed to get to the edge and make big plays.”
The Hornets figure to have that kind of speed with runningbacks CJ Shaffer and Guy Fullmer.
Fullmer (5-9, 165, jr.) was among the top runningbacks in the area last season with 1,304 yards and an average of 7.72 yards per carry. Shaffer (5-7, 165, sr.) finished the season with 211 yards and an average of 6.81 ypc, but should figure more into Dighton’s run-oriented offense this season.
“Both boys bring a different style,” says Kraft. “CJ is more a cut and juke runningback while Guy is more of a straight-ahead runner.”
After calling the signals at the junior varsity level last year, Ryan Kuhlman (6-0, 160, soph.) will be the varsity quarterback. He won’t stretch the field with a throwing arm the way the Hornets did last year with Joe Flax, who finished with 763 yards, but “he can put the ball where it needs to be and he makes good decisions,” Kraft notes.
When the Hornets do turn to their passing game, the number one receiver will likely be Taylor Parker (6-3, 160, jr.). Several other players are competing for the other wideout position, but it appears freshman Ben Speer (6-1, 190) has the edge with “great speed and exceptional hands.”
Giving Dighton some flexibility with their offensive attack will be three returning offensive interior linemen - Seth Shapland (5-9, 190, sr.), Devon Shapland (5-11, 200, jr.) and Garrett Parker (5-11, 190, sr.).
The team’s experience on the line will allow them to run a double tight end offense and power the ball. But make no mistake about it, this team will be built around speed and their ability to spread the field and get skilled players into open space.
Creating space will be just as important on special teams where Fullmer proved he could be a dangerous weapon last season, averaging 34 yards per punt return and 24 yards per kickoff return.
Defense has Holes
A lot more questions surround the defense which will be short on experience. Parker, Shaffer and Fullmer, with 44, 41 and 37 tackles, respectively, are the leading players returning.
“We have a couple of holes that will have to be filled by underclassmen,” Kraft says. “We have a couple of freshmen who should be able to help right away and about three more who could help on special teams and maybe somewhere else by the middle of the season.”
Depth is always a concern, but especially for a Hornets team that includes nine freshmen on their 20 man roster. In fact, they have just three seniors and only three juniors.
“If a couple of boys get hurt it could become an issue, especially early in the season,” adds the Dighton coach. “We have sophomores who haven’t seen the (varsity) field and freshmen who aren’t quite ready. Hopefully, we can develop some depth in a hurry.”