“RIDERS ON THE STORM”
Hulbert Prepares For The Challenge In 2024
As the high school football season approaches, the Hulbert Riders continue to take the lessons learned last year and turn those hard knocks into a winning spirit in 2024. Despite the loss of six seniors to graduation, the talent pool remains strong including the majority of starters from 2023.
“Through a baptism of fire, we learned from our experiences and have put that into our game plan during the offseason with one simple goal…improve day by day,” said head coach Chad Botts.
Power combined with speed is what the Riders hope to show on offense this year operating out of a power shotgun scheme. “We have strengthened our running game by being physical up front as well as using an effective r-p-o system along with screens and quick concepts to help spread the ball around,” said the head coach.
The opportunity to light up the scoreboard offensively will evolve from the talents and leadership of nine returning starters including quarterback Ethan Ellis (5-10, 175, Jr.), running back Cody Botts (5-10, 170, Jr.) and wide receiver Ethan Thompson (5-11, 160, Sr.). The energy of the skill personnel without question gain added fuel for success from the grit and determination and physical strength of the guys in the trenches where the Riders anticipate dominating performances from a trio of starters including Easton Graalfs (5-10, 245, Jr.), Jake Botts (6-3, 250, Jr.) and VYPE Top 100 nominee Dusty Tedder (6-3, 255, Sr.). “Dusty is a four year starter on both sides of the football,” said coach Botts. “Just as valuable as his game time experience, Dusty is a team first leader. He sets the example through an all-out effort in practice and when the lights go on every Friday night.”
Botts and the Hulbert Riders also believe in the motto that defense wins no matter the opponent and with eight starters returning to the lineup, expectations to create turnovers and change of possessions abound. Up front, Dusty Tedder and Jake Botts will make it difficult for opposing offenses to move the chains against Hulbert’s 4-2-5 alignment. Joining the line of scrimmage conflicts will be Logan Harris (5-10, 245, So.) and Kellen Smith (5-11, 170, Sr.). The physical efforts of returning linebacker Logan Deerinwater (5-8, 180, Sr.) will enrich the ability to defend against the run as well as defend the pass.
“We want to improve being physical and our pursuit of the ball,” said Botts. “We need players swarming to the ball and making plays on the defensive side.”
While this year’s roster will include a handful of seniors in the starting lineup, the Riders are still relatively young but are hungry to show they’ve got what it takes after last year.
The 2024 schedule will test the young and eager Riders from the outset with three of the first four games on the road before ending the season in a chase for the Class A postseason playing three of the final four contests in front of the home crowd.
SCHEDULE
9-6 – vs. Caney Valley
9-13 – at Porter
9-20 – at Westville
9-27 – at Hartshorne
10-4 – vs. Panama
10-11 – at Pocola
10-17 – vs. Haskell
10-25 – vs. Warner
11-1 – at Rejoice Christian
11-8 – vs. Chouteau
