Martell sees Hawks on verge of breakthrough
"We are hoping for better things this year and you are always looking to continue to build upon your seasons." - H-J's David Martel
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

The way that Hardin-Jefferson Head Football Coach David Martell sees things, his Hawks could have finished last year 6-4 instead of 3-7 with a couple of breaks.

"We are hoping for better things this year and you are always looking to continue to build upon your seasons," Martel said. "The district was all it was advertised to be and more. It was a very tough district."

Martel said with last year now under his belt, he believes this year might be a bit easier to prepare for when district rolls around.

"It makes it easier because you know what to expect from some of the teams," Martel said. "But now you have to worry about Jasper, Hamshire- Fannett and Bridge City all have new head coaches and now you don't know what to expect when you play them.

"WO-S and Orangefield are not going to change what they do when you play them," Martel said. "This is a district where you have to be ready every night."

One issue that Martel already knows heading into this season is that his Hawks will be very young this coming year.

H-J lost 24 seniors last year and left some vacant holes on the team. Key losses include Michael Hartel, Brian Box, Brian Tucker, Matt Frock, Joe Scott and Ross Fox.

"We will be real young this year but I think we will be fine," Martel said. "If we do the things that we need to do and play good offense and defense, then we will be fine."

Martel returns 13 players, seven on offense and six on defense.

Leading the returnees will be starting quarterback Elliott Deshotel, who passed for more than 500 yards and rushed for 300 yards.

"We are going to a bit different offense this year," Martel said of the change to the spread offense. "And I think he will be okay with it."

Martel also will work sophomore quarterback Blake Venable into the mix in the offensive backfield.

The Hawks shifted to the spread offense late last season and had better results moving the ball that earlier in the season.

Other key returners include junior tailback Trey Burrell, who rushed for 955 yards and nine touchdowns last year.

Three returning offensive linemen will open up holes for Burrell and Deshotel. Taylor Monse, Cody Sanders and Jake Roby will anchor the offensive line for the Hawks.

Defensively, the Hawks return linebacker David Daniels, Tyler Thomas and Stephen Smith.

"We're just going to try to throw the ball a bit more this year," Martel said. "I want teams to not know when we are going to run or throw the ball this year."

Like many, Martel is eyeing Kirbyville as the favorite in the district this year.

But Martel also likes West Orange-Stark and Jasper as well.

"I believe Jasper will be fighting for either first, second or third place in district," Martel said. "Coach (Thomas) Brooks has been successful everywhere he has been and I don't think that will change this coming year."

Martel believes the Hawks should contend for a playoff berth but he believes his young team will finish fourth in the district race.

"We will fight for a playoff berth but realistically we will probably finish fourth," Martel said.

Hardin-Jefferson will open their season Aug. 31 when they host Anahuac.

Road dates against Cleveland and East Chamber will prepare the Hawks for the start of the district season.

The Hawks will host Bridge City Sept. 28 in their district opener and will also play West Orange-Stark, Kirbyville and Jasper at home.

Road district contests include Hamshire- Fannett, Silsbee and Orangefield.