Hawks expect to battle adversity during 2013 season

HOUSTON — Saturday afternoon, the Houston Hawks caught a glimpse of what they’ll be seeing a lot of this season.

Houston’s demanding 2013 schedule includes a pair of large-schools programs and four different teams that have played for a medium-schools state championship within the last five years.

With that ahead of his squad, Houston first-year head coach Glenn Nelson couldn’t refuse an invitation to the annual Chugiak Stampede, a set of scrimmages that also included Palmer, Colony, Chugiak and Eagle River.

“We’ve got a brutal schedule. Luckily, (Chugiak head coach Duncan Schackleford) is letting us come to the Stampede,” Nelson said. “I think it’s really important. Maybe when we play some of those other large schools, we’ll be like, ‘hey, we’ve played people like this before.’”

Nelson, who takes over the program after spending a season as an assistant, said he knows his team will face growing pains. The Hawks, who finished 2-5 last season, graduated just less than half its 2012 roster and will start with a new coaching staff in 2013.

“There will be some early adversity, a brutal schedule combined with a new coaching staff,” Nelson said.

As the new staff begins its work to build its program, Nelson said the coaches have focused consistently on setting goals and giving the players benchmarks to achieve.

“We try something each week, each day, a common theme,” Nelson said. “Each day get better at something, every day, get better at something.”

Conditioning will be key for the Hawks, many of whom will play on both sides of the ball, Nelson said.

“We’re running a lot,” Nelson said of his team, which has about 40 players on the roster. “We’ll be a very in-shape team.”

The Hawks will also aim to run the ball.

Senior Waylon Soptick returns after leading the Hawks with 706 yards rushing and five touchdowns last year.

“Soptick will be key for us,” Nelson said.

But Nelson does not want Soptick to be Houston’s only option in the backfield. Houston basketball standout Matt Barron has rejoined the team after a year away from the program. Nelson said he expects Barron to be a major factor in the offensive and defensive backfields.

Two-time state wrestling champion Luke Wagner is also back on the football squad, and is expected to make an impact, Nelson said.

Senior River Ross should be Houston’s top receiver. The Hawks also return starting quarterback Nai Saechao, who completed 50 percent of his passes and threw for 347 yards and five touchdowns.

Nelson said Saechao’s experience and leadership will also be key.

Center Doug Hepler, an all-conference selection last year, is back to anchor the line. Nelson said senior Zac Tucheck could emerge as another leader up front.

Nelson said he’s also been impressed with the work of junior Billy Etuckmeira, who played about five positions for the Hawks last year.

On defense, Nelson said the Hawks will go to a base 4-3 set. Soptick, Barron and defensive lineman Lai Saechao will be among the leaders on that side of the ball.

Nelson, a former head coach at Wasilla and assistant at Colony, has built a coaching staff that includes old and new assistants. Longtime defensive coordinator Jared Barrett returns, along with assistant coach Will Reeder. Gabe Bailey, Rod Parks and Pat Clark are among the new assistants with the team. Parks coached with Nelson at Wasilla, and Clark is a former Wasilla player.

Houston opens its season Saturday against Seward at 2 p.m.

The Hawks follow with a road game at Skyview, a team Houston beat 32-26 last season. The road for the Hawks really gets tough in Week 3 with a home date against defending medium-schools state champion Soldotna. The Hawks follow with road games against large-schools West Valley and small-schools power Kenai, before meeting Valley rival Wasilla in Week 6.

Houston closes the season with a road game at Kodiak and a home contest against Homer.

“We go to Fairbanks, Kenai and Kodiak. I don’t think anybody, but maybe Barrow, will travel as much as us,” Nelson said.

See future editions of the Frontiersman for stories previewing the seasons of the Palmer Moose and Colony Knights, and Friday’s paper for the Wasilla Warriors.

Head coach: Glenn Nelson

2012 finish: 2-5 (1-4 in NLC)

Key returners: Waylon Soptick, Sr., RB/DB; Nai Saechao, Sr., QB/DB; River Ross, Sr., WR/DB; Doug Hepler, Sr., OL/DL

Key losses: Hunter Smith, RB/LB; Allen Reeder, TE/DE; Charlie Buzby, RB/LB.