For Hampton football, record doesn’t reflect improvements

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, November 12, 2017 | 11:00 PM

This time last year, it's hard to think the Hampton football team, winless a season ago, would be hanging tough at halftime with one of the region's powerhouses.

Yet there they were, trailing West Allegheny, 9-7, at halftime.

The Talbots ended up losing 24-14 on its way to a 2-8 record after a promising 2-1 start. But the Talbots made strides after a switch in classes coupled with unusually low numbers that left the team scrambling to find a way to compete.

“I'm very proud of our kids and their effort,” coach Jacque DeMatteo said. “Set aside wins and losses. We were in every game, and if you could just eliminate a few critical mistakes, you never know. … We gave ourselves the opportunity to be tied or up against some of these better opponents, and for whatever reason right before halftime, we gave up some big splash plays that hurt us.”

The inconsistency that stemmed from youth, inexperience and low numbers — Hampton often had 20 or 30 fewer players than the opposition — showed. The run-heavy offense Hampton was known for could move the sticks at times, but too often, penalties and inefficiency left the team with few options.

“We wanted to run the football,” DeMatteo said. “And I think we did sometimes effectively. We weren't able to throw the ball well. I think we really weren't able to threaten anyone (with the pass), so that means they're going to stack the box on us. I think that's an area we need to work on in the future, trying to become more balanced.”

The backfield tandem included Tyler Steedle, who led all running backs with 356 yards on 81 attempts. Junior Vinny Schmitt (310 yards on 54 attempts) will look to take the role of lead back next season.

“I'm very excited for (Vinny),” DeMatteo said. “He did a great job both in the backfield and in the classroom, and I'm looking forward to working with him again.”

The defense improved as the coaching staff stripped down the playbook.

“We definitely went into simplifying things,” DeMatteo said. “One or two coverages, reading our keys and making sure they were running downhill. We did a lot of movement with our ‘D' this year. We thought our size, that was a strength of ours. We would stunt and slant a lot more, but I thought that was a key factor.”

Senior quarterback Ross Andersson finished his high school career by leading the team in rushing with 840 yards. After making the playoffs his first two seasons, earning two victories in his final 20 games gave the team captain a mixture of emotions.

“That sudden change my junior year, it was a hard adjustment,” said Andersson, who will look to play at the Division-III level in college. “Personally, as a leader of the team, it's a tough thing. You don't really realize how hard it is to lead unless you're leading in a tough time. The last two years have taught me how to lead in all situations.”

Added DeMatteo: “Ross is a special person. And regardless if we're 0-10 or 10-0, he's going to be the same person.”

Andersson and the rest of the seniors can hang their hats on lifting a proud program out of the doldrums. The leadership contingent was a big reason the Talbots had 59 players on the training camp roster after finishing 2016 with 37.

“I think there was improvement,” Andersson said. “But I think there were some times we didn't put all our improvements together as a team.”

Losing Andersson is a major blow to a program, DeMatteo said, the has a small senior class next year. Candidates for quarterback include junior Max Obenrader and Ross' brother, Ian Andersson, a sophomore.

“Our numbers are going to be down next year with the seniors, so that concerns me a little with the leadership,” DeMatteo said. “But our underclassmen, I think there's going to be a good group of three classes back to back.”

The larger question is if Hampton might be helped in the upcoming mandatory two-year realignment. Hampton is one of the smallest Class 5A schools, and a drop in enrollment could shift the program into Class 4A.

“It would be complete speculation on my part,” DeMatteo said. “I have no idea.”

Devon Moore is a freelance writer.

Tags: Hampton