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2019 Snapshot: Hamilton

Embedding a winning culture will be a top priority for former alum and new Hamilton head coach, Nate Mahon. The Big Blue hasn’t had a winning season since 2010. The good news for Mahon is that there are eight starters back on offense and seven on defense. The bad news is that he inherits a squad that won just one game a year ago.

“We have a lot of young guys that played in the 2018 season. Due to injuries and other circumstances, a lot of our players returning this year had ample experience last year. These guys have led the way in the weight room,” Mahon stated.

Mahon is also very excited about the coaching staff that he has in place for this season. It is a veteran group who has a ton of experience both in high school football but also at the college level.

“There seems to be a very good vibe between our coaches and players,” Mahon added. “They were anxious to get to know the coaches and develop deeper relationships with this coaching staff.”

The coach indicated his team has had a great offseason and had a big rise in the number of players in the weight room as well as getting some kids out to play football that have not in the past.

“It’s going to be that total commitment that could be the biggest difference in success this year and into the future,” he claimed.

Division I, Region 4
2018 RECORD: 1-9, 1-7 GMC
COACH: Nate Mahon (0-0 at Hamilton, first year; 40-25 overall, six years)

HONOR ROLL
Luke Mattia, Sr, MLB: Named OPSWA Division I Second Team All-Southwest District after registering 85 total tackles and recovering two fumbles as a junior. Mattia will be a candidate for the GMC Defensive Player of the Year this fall.

Keyshawn Stephens, Jr, RB: Despite having to move to quarterback because of injuries, Stephens still managed to run for 1,272 yards, throw for 282 yards and account for 15 touchdowns (12 pass, three pass) as a sophomore. He was named OPSWA Division I Second Team All-Southwest District for his efforts.

Jordan Jones, Jr, OLB: A breakout sophomore campaign saw Jones get in on 48 total tackles and five-and-a-half sacks. He earned Second Team All-GMC honors for his work.
Kaleb Johnson, So, RB: The Friday night lights weren’t too big for Johnson as a freshman. He ran for 631 yards and three touchdowns on his way to Second Team All-GMC honors.

Nathan Pratt, Sr, DL: The leader of the Big Blue defensive line, Pratt was a Second Team All-GMC selection as a junior.

Ryan Rumpke, Sr, OL: A major part of a veteran offensive line. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound Rumpke was a Second Team All-GMC selection as a junior.

Jacob Abney, Sr, OL: A returning starter Abney is a leader on the o-line. He was named Second Team All-GMC in 2018.

Khaliyal Sowell, Sr, QB/WR/DB: A healthy Sowell is back after being injured in Week 3 last season. He moves from quarterback to defensive back. Sowell has an offer from Indiana. He has run for 696 yards, thrown for 703 yards and accounted for nine touchdowns in a Hamilton uniform.

OTHER RETURNEES
The offense brings back some beef up front with seniors OL Dustin Brock, who is 6-foot-3 and 300-pounds, as well as the 6-foot-3, 245-pound OL Jayden Evans joining Abney and Rumpke. Look for junior OL Romello Diablo to see significant snaps on the o-line. Classmates WR Kevon Burnett and junior WR Daryan Bowling add speed on the wings. Bowling is the team’s top returning receiver. He had 13 receptions for 196 yards and two touchdowns in 2018. Junior RB Blake Hawkins will be part of the backfield rotation.

The defense will get a boost from healthy seniors DL Gabe Ramirez and DL Genaro Zuniga. In the trenches junior OL/DL Jacob Harmon had 33 total tackles and a sack a year ago. In the middle for the Big Blue seniors LB Jayden Marshall, LB/ATH Braedyn Jackson, juniors LB/LS Zach Williamson and LB Dillon Lee will be added into the mix with Mattia and Jones. Lee recorded 56 total tackles and had an interception in 2018. Juniors DB Justin McCullah and DB James Turner will hold down the fort in the secondary. Turner tallied 31 total tackles as a sophomore.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(four appearances, 0-4) – 2010, 2001, 1997, 1994

2019 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/30/19 – at West Clermont – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/06/19 – ANDERSON – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/13/19 – LAKOTA WEST – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/20/19 – at Fairfield – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/27/19 – OAK HILLS – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/04/19 – at Mason – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/11/19 – COLERAIN – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/28/19 – at Middletown – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/25/19 – SYCAMORE – 7:00 PM
Fri – 11/01/19 – at Lakota East – 7:00 PM

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