The 2006 Hudson High School junior varsity football season will begin this evening (Thursday) in Hillsdale as the little Tigers take on the Hornets with kickoff set for 6:00. The Tigers and head coach Scott “Scooter” Marry are hoping for a lot better season than a year ago when the team won just three games. Look for a few more wins this season. In fact, don’t be a bit surprised if the team doubles or even triples its win total from a season ago. However, Marry will be the first to admit that winning and losing at the junior varsity level is not always the most important thing, which is preparing the boys for the varsity. Also, the veteran task master is very good at turning boys into men. Look for more of that this fall along with a lot of wins for the little Tigers who are expected to do some big things this autumn on the gridiron. Here is a look at who will be on this junior varsity team that opens play tonight (Thursday).

2006 J.V. Football Preview
First, it should be noted that this team has lost six sophomores to the varsity team but don’t think for one minute that they don’t still have a lot of talent left to work with because they do. The team will have Nathan Smith at quarterback and he will be backed up by Zeb Hilyard. Smith is quick, elusive and hard to stop so look for some big plays from him. The fullback will be Kyle Benschoter who returns for his second season and he is tough to bring down. The halfbacks should be sophomores Keith Walworth and Josh Shepard who both have good speed. Also, don’t forget talented Mitchell Webb who brings both size and speed to the backfield where he can play either fullback or halfback. Two others who will see time in the backfield are both freshman as Duckjin Park and Derrik Marry can also carry the ball when needed. “Our backfield should do a nice job for us and we have a good mix of size and speed,” said coach Marry. The offensive line will be led by center Garrett Barker and Jacob Joslin. The guards will be Juan Alba along with Zeke Williams and Nathan Riley. Two other guards who will see plenty of playing time are Dan Patrick and Johnny Monahan. The tackles will be Kyle Walworth, Brad Kirkendall and John Liby who will also play on the offensive line. The players who are trying earn time at tight end will be big Chris Aguirre, Chase Briggs, Wes Miler and Scot McKnight. Hudson will run the ball as they always do under the direction of coach Marry but they aren’t shy about passing if they have to or if they think it will catch the opposition off guard and out of position. The defense will be tough and hard-hitting as always under the guidance of defensive coach Jeremy Beal. Look for the down linemen to be Kyle Walworth and Monahan who will get in the opposing backfield to raise havoc with the other team’s offense. Big Sam Klinger will play on the line as an end along with R.J. Risner and Aguirre. The linebackers will be Benschoter and Keith Walworth in the middle and both are aggressive hitters. Aguirre can also play linebacker on the outside as will Marry and Smith who is like a cornerback on the outside. The defensive backs are Shepard, Park, Webb and Marry will play corner if not at linebacker. The safety position will be between Brandon Johnston and Hilyard. “We will have an aggressive defense that will get after people and it should take a good offense to move the ball on us consistently,” said Marry, who likes this group of about 27 players that he has with him to work with this season. On the special teams it will be Webb punting and doing the extra points along with kicking off. Shepard is the long snapper while Smith and Webb will return punts and kickoffs while Benschoter will also returns kicks. Hopefully, there won’t be a whole lot of kicking off by the other team as that will mean they have scored on the Tigers. “I think we can have a very good season and I won’t predict a record or anything but I will say that it should take one heck of a team to beat us,” said Marry, who knows his team will get tested early against Hillsdale. “That could perhaps be our toughest game of the season and it will definitely be a good test for our kids. We have been practicing well and we did fine in the scrimmage so I’m looking forward to a good year.” Marry will also be assisted by Ron Randolph as the Tigers open the season on the road against the Hornets. The home opener for the J.V.’s will be next Thursday against Morenci.        

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