By Joe Zigtema
Corsicana Daily Sun
HUBBARD —
HUBBARD — What a difference a year makes for Joe Heckathorn and the Hubbard Jaguars.
Heckathorn, in his first head coaching job, piloted the Jaguars to three wins last year and started the football program on the right track.
Then came basketball season, where the Jaguars rode a run-and-gun team to a 21-win season and a playoff berth.
The girls stole the show in the spring, advancing farther than any Golden Circle softball team.
"Winning is contagious," Heckathorn said Wednesday. "Not only did they get a taste of that in basketball, but they witnessed the girls going through it. It's a snowball effect."
Already, Heckathorn has seen the effect.
"This team is starting off in such a better place," he said. "They pick each other up, they're more positive with each other... it's just been night and day from the start."
Heckathorn hopes that snowball grows into a snowman as big as his offensive linemen, which average 270 pounds across the board.
Led by 320-pound Shawn McKinney and the brothers Williams, Roderick and Dae'Voddrick.
They'll pave the way for move-in Ben Morris, a physical tailback that fits into the Jags' power attack out of the spread.
"He's a downhill runner for sure," Heckathorn said. "I just like his size and mentality. He's going to try to run over somebody before he tries to juke them."
And with that offensive line, it shouldn't be tough sledding.
"If he can fall forward we can gain at least three yards," Heckathorn said.
Taking charge of the offense is quarterback Cole Hill, who Heckathorn said spent much of the summer studying plays and working in the weight room.
Hubbard's predistrict schedule includes tests against a depleted but athletic Bosqueville team on Aug. 27 and 2A schools Italy and Scurry-Rosser.
"I did that to challenge us," Heckathorn said. "Especially the 2A schools. ... They're going to be tough."
And, of course, Hubbard's last home game pits the Jaguars against Highway 31-rival Dawson, which could have serious playoff or district title implications.
"I know I'm not going to have to get our kids up for that game," Heckathorn said.
What a difference a year makes indeed.
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Want to "Sound off" on this story? Contact Sports Editor Joe Zigtema at joe@corsicanadailysun.com
