COPAN HORNETS
Coach: TRENTON KALLENBERGER
8-3
The Hornets return five offensive starters and will continue to feature a power run/option attack out of multiple formations. Senior quarterback and Top 100 nominee Zane Stricklin (5-10, 160) is back after accounting for 25 touchdowns last season, throwing for 1,137 yards and rushing for 565, and coaches praise his command of the offense, arm talent and dual-threat ability. Senior running back Elijah Evans (5-10, 175) is a physical runner, while freshman back Pressley Zimmerman (5-10, 170) will compete for carries and give Copan another downhill option. The line is considered the team’s biggest strength: senior center Chris Reed (5-9, 315) and junior guard Marcus Bryan (6-0, 255), headlines a projected front five that averages about 240 pounds and includes tight ends in that power profile. Freshman receiver Ruger Virden (6-0, 170) adds size on the perimeter as a downfield threat. With that size and depth, Copan plans to “pound the rock” and then mix in multiple formations and personnel packages as its young skill talent develops.
Defensively, the Hornets bring back six starters and will line up in a 3-2 look. The philosophy is to be physical at all three levels, keep everything in front, fly around and play team defense. Senior defensive ends Ashton Jeffers (6-0, 220) and Keeghan Smith (6-0, 210) are three-year starters who combined for 121 tackles and 14 sacks last season and anchor a disruptive front. Sophomore nose guard Slayton Brewington (6-0, 220) was a handful as a freshman all-district player, piling up 61 tackles and six sacks. On the back end, Copan returns all three defensive backs, including sophomores Payten Call (5-8, 150) and Edan Thompson (5-10, 170), who were both All-District corners as freshmen; Thompson produced seven interceptions, three fumble recoveries and four defensive touchdowns. Call is a three-sport standout and relentless competitor who started at corner as a freshman despite being undersized, earning first-team all-district honors. Incoming freshman linebacker Lane Willig (5-10, 170) is expected to help fill the only graduating spot in the front seven.
8-28 – at New Heights
9-4 – vs. Crossover Prep
9-11 – at Gans
9-18 – vs. Webbers Falls
10-2 – at Kremlin-Hillsdale
10-9 – vs. Depew
10-15 – at Wesleyan
10-23 – vs. Cave Springs
10-30 – vs. Pond Creek-Hunter
11-6 – at Welch
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