EASLEY — An old coach once said, “The practice field is my classroom.”
That’s probably how Sam Houston felt after his first season as the varsity football coach at Easley High School. He wasn’t really able to see his team’s true weaknesses until they were playing under the bright lights on Friday night.
Houston saw some areas to improve on, too, for his team.
“Our biggest emphasis this off season was pursuing the football and tackling,” said Houston, recently, after his eighth official practice of the season. “We don’t care about anything else. We were a terrible tackling-team last year and I take full responsibility for that.”
Continued Coach Houston, “So when we got back in January, and we were able to go outside in class — we worked on tackling technique. We did it all spring and did it all summer. We’ve been doing it every day in camp, and we had a tackling circuit. We’re gonna tackle this year. These guys have bought into it with that mindset of effort. We want teams – when they turn on the tape – they say that these guys get to the football.”
That could be fun to watch this season for Green Wave football fans. They do have some highly-talented athletes who could be difference makers.
Program Players: Every coach has that certain player who they feel is a great example of what their program should stand for. Senior Matthew Hillstock is definitely one of those players for the Green Wave.
“It’s a big season for him,” said Houston. “He battled an injury last year. He trained his body this off-season to be able to stay healthy. He’s one we kind of revolve our offense around. I’m excited for him. He’s not just a football player. He has a chance to go to any school he wants to, which is awesome. He went on a bunch of visits this summer to see campuses. I’m excited to see what he’ll do this season.”
EHS Captains: Houston said he has named two captains so far — senior linebacker Koby Preston has been voted a captain for the second-straight year on the varsity level and standout lineman Jaxson Wilson.
“He (Preston) knows what it takes and the steps he needs to take to develop that leadership role and take it up a level this year,” Houston said. “Jaxson is a hard worker in the classroom and on the football field. He had a full-time job this summer and only missed one workout. He’d come in here in the morning until 10 a.m. and work until 7 p.m. ever night. Then, do it again the next day.”
There will be “four or five” total captains for the Green Wave this season.
Potential Fan Favorite: Senior kicker Evan Massey is quietly becoming a fan favorite among the Easley Green Wave parents. A couple of the parents have already gotten a t-shirt with the logo of Massey kickin’ on it. Massey has already made a 50-plus yard field goal in practice.
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