MONROE — Brad Hunt isn’t putting a number on what would constitute a successful first season as Monroe High School’s football coach.
His measuring stick is simpler.
He wants Monroe to look like Monroe football again.
“We’ve had some rough years,” Hunt said. “We had some things out of our control the last couple years here and there, injury-wise and things like that. I never talk about record with these guys. It’s all geared toward we want to get back to what Monroe is sort of known for, and I think that’s just playing physical football.
“Being aggressive and getting after it and playing from the first whistle to the last as hard as we can. That’s the main thing we’ve been trying to instill.”
The Hornets are looking for a turnaround after finishing 2-8 overall and 0-4 in the Southwestern Buckeye League Southwestern Division last season. Monroe has gone 0-12 in conference play the last three seasons.
Hunt takes over with familiarity on his side.
A longtime Monroe assistant, he retained much of the coaching staff after being elevated, which allowed the Hornets to maintain continuity despite the change at the top. Hunt is taking over for Mark Mueller, who was the previous head coach the last two seasons.
“I think it’s been pretty good,” Hunt said of the transition. “We kept most of the nucleus of our staff. We didn’t change much offensively or defensively because everyone’s still the same.”
There have been some adjustments, though.
Monroe will operate out of a spread offense, but Hunt wants the Hornets to establish a more consistent ground game behind what could be one of the team’s strengths — an experienced offensive line.
Senior Cam Potts is a three-year starter, while Easton Park, Ben DeHart and Aiden Farthing are among the linemen Monroe will count on. The Hornets return five offensive starters.
Senior running back and linebacker Luke Levering rushed for 290 yards and six touchdowns on 66 carries last season and recorded 37 tackles defensively.
Junior Mason Reynolds brings starting experience at quarterback after completing 108 of 184 passes for 1,119 yards and five touchdowns last season. Sophomore Jonah Miller gives Monroe another option at quarterback and can also contribute at receiver and defensive back.
Prince Mabasa, Jake Pelzer, Keegan O’Hara, Trey Seuberling and Jackson Rupp give the Hornets additional options at the skill positions.
“We’ve gotten a little bit more athletic from last year to this year,” Hunt said. “We’ll spread people out, but we still want to establish the ground game.”
The Hornets’ ability to control the line of scrimmage could determine how quickly they turn things around.
Monroe considers its experience on the offensive and defensive lines one of its biggest strengths. Staying healthy, however, will be critical because Hunt said developing varsity-ready depth remains a work in progress.
Monroe returns four defensive starters and is moving back to a traditional 50 front after primarily using a 3-4 last season. Hunt played in the system during his time as a Hornet and thinks it better fits the current roster.
“It’s something I grew up in playing here,” Hunt said. “I think it just fits our abilities a little bit better.”
Pelzer returns after making 30 tackles and an interception last season, while O’Hara recorded 34 tackles and four pass breakups. Levering will again be an important piece at linebacker.
Newcomers such as Seuberling, Fabinn Woodson Jr., Miller, senior defensive lineman Aiden Landis and Rupp could also earn significant roles.
Monroe has emphasized offseason strength and conditioning, and Hunt has seen significant gains throughout the roster.
“We’ve got a lot of guys who are getting after it,” Hunt said. “If you’d have told me a year or two ago that they were pulling 500 on a deadlift, I’d have told you you’re crazy. It’s just a testament to the change that they want to see as well.”
Levering has noticed it, too.
“Coach Miller’s definitely changed the weight room completely,” Levering said. “We wish we had before-and-after pictures from last year to now because there’s so many people that have gotten so much bigger and faster. Everyone’s mentality is completely different too.
“I just want to lead to a winning season. We haven’t had one since I’ve been in high school. I’ve seen the work that everyone’s put in. It means a lot to me just to be able to go out and show what I know we’re capable of.”
Levering and senior Evan Denney are among the players Hunt expects to lead a group that features a mixture of experienced veterans and promising underclassmen.
“We can be a good team being coach-led, but great teams have to be player-led,” Hunt said. “We’re trying to instill some of that leadership with some of our guys like Luke. They’re starting to hold each other accountable. It needs to come from them.”
Hunt has built much of that culture around three words — energy, effort and enthusiasm.
They have become the Hornets’ calling card throughout the offseason.
“We just want to give as much effort as physically possible because that’s what’s going to show on the field,” Levering said. “The energy is showing everybody around us we’re not tired because that gets into their head in the fourth quarter. The encouragement is picking each other up and celebrating with each other.”
The Hornets open against Loveland before eventually navigating an SWBL schedule, while searching for their first league victory in three seasons.
“Everything we do is geared toward going 1-0,” Hunt said. “Right now it’s geared toward going 1-0 against Loveland. Every day we ask, ‘Did you do enough today to go 1-0?’ After that game, we’ll reset and it’ll be about the next opponent.
“This team has a good mix of old guys who have played significant snaps on a varsity football field with young guys that are new, but have some traits to be really good football players,” Hunt added. “This season will be successful if we continue to gel and come together as one while playing with great energy and effort.
“I just want us to play with good energy, good effort and good enthusiasm. This game is supposed to be fun. We can teach the techniques and assignments, but I can’t teach those three things. Those have to come from within. If we consistently bring those every Friday night, we’ll give ourselves the best chance.”
