Hurricanes hope to challenge Stone Memorial for title again
By now East Hamilton’s Ian Ammerall has gotten around to introducing himself to all of his new defensive teammates. It may have taken a while, since not one of the 10 surrounding him in the Hurricanes’ 3-4 this year was a starter last year.
In spite of all the defensive shakeup, East Hamilton enters the upcoming high school football season optimistic it can challenge for the Region 3-4A championship.
“We definitely want to be region champions,” Ammerall said. “That’s one of the most common goals for every team.”
Even the 5-foot-11, 180pound Ammerall didn’t start in last year’s opener, but he started every subsequent game at outside linebacker after then-senior Isaac Hembree suffered a season-ending broken ankle. This year he’s making the transition to safety.
“I’m doing it because it’s the best fit for the team,” Ammerall said. “I have it down, for the most part. There are still a few things to work on before the season starts.”
The defense isn’t as inexperienced as it may seem, however. As an example, senior linebackers Bradley Boozer, Tyler Green, Kirby Sailors and Kevin Siniard all registered multiple tackles a year ago.
“As last season went on we had some other kids that started playing some minutes and got some experience,” East Hamilton coach Ted Gatewood said. “We’ve got some kids with experience, just not as starters.”
The defensive line and secondary are a little less experienced than the linebackers.
But Gatewood likes the work sophomore Jayden Smith, also a running back, and senior Sam Blakemore are doing as cornerbacks. And they have Ammerall behind them.
“Ian is a great football player,” Gatewood said. “He’s a tough kid. He understands and has a great grasp of what we’re trying to do. He communicates. He makes sure the kids around him are where they’re supposed to be.”
Stone Memorial won the region title a year ago, but the Hurricanes beat the Panthers in the state playoffs. Half of East Hamilton’s region games were decided by seven points, including its two league losses.
“We have a really competitive region,” Ammerall said. “It’s a fun region to play in. Last year we had a few really close games, but we know what we have to do to compete with those teams and what gives us the best chance to win those games.”
Cumberland County, Hixson and Central are among the teams that finished below third-place East Hamilton last season but could show marked improvement. Cumberland’s Jets return several starters, Hixson’s Wildcats have eight back on offense and the Purple Pounders have been infused by a new coaching staff.
“I think it’s wide open,” Gatewood said of the region race. “I think our league is pretty balanced. I think everybody has got a shot. One thing for any team will be staying healthy, obviously. Number two, I think it will be an advantage to get a foothold in the early part of region play.
“Everybody has got some key people coming back. It’s probably going to come down to the final week. It did that last year. I think we’ve got a chance.”