And to listen to Super, that is all just fine. He’s just ready to prepare his team and start playing games.
There are plenty of reasons for his enthusiasm. Aside from youthful energy (Super will turn 30 on November 5), the new Warrior coach has walked into a program trending upward again. In spite of a 1-9 finish in 2019, things are looking good for Super and his Woodland Road band.
The first perk benefitted all of the Hampton teams equally, but it’s hard to complain about a brand-new weight room.
“This went way beyond my wildest dreams,” said Super, who has test-driven the lifting equipment along with some of his assistant coaches. “We have eight all-purpose racks and eight platform racks. The whole thing must have cost 350-400 thousand dollars!”
As far as using the equipment goes, Super quipped, “You want to test drive the Ferrari, not the ’95 pick-up truck.”
Along with the aesthetic improvements in the athletic wing, the first-year ball coach is excited with the renewed excitement surrounding his team. “With the new room, it’s an ooh and aah kind of thing. But we need something like this to keep kids interested.” That takes care of step one, but there is more to do. “It is up to us as coaches to keep the competitive attitude going.”
Part of the goal is to keep the team numbers up. “We have about 75-80 kids right now between the varsity and jayvee,” said Super. “The good news is that we have 30 freshmen. We want to keep 30 freshmen every year, and that way, we should have 120 players in four years.”
For this season, Super is looking at four particular players to provide leadership and experience to the “fairly younger” Warrior contingent.
Peyton Douglas (c/o 2022, 5-11 195, RB/ILB) is a player who should get a lot of looks FCS, D2, or D3 teams according to Super. He will be the primary ball carrier.
Jason Freeman (c/o 2022, 5-9 185, ILB/MLB) will give the Warriors some strength behind the defensive line. “He’s an aggressive kid,” says his coach.
Richard Fox (c/o 2022, 6-3 270, OL/DL) gives Kecoughtan size on both sides of the ball. He is a returning starter.
And Gabe Simon (c/o 2022, 6-2 185, WR) will be relied on to lead the Warrior receiving crew.
Super’s coaching staff will be driven by brother Zachary, Courtney Connor (defensive coordinator), and Zachary James (defensive backs/special teams).
Their job will be a tough one. The Warriors will hold no scrimmage games, and then open the season late next winter against Hampton High and coach Mike Smith (493 career wins). Kecoughtan will play through the first six games of its original schedule to complete the regular season.
