PATASKALA – Ryan Sayers turned on the lights for the Midnight Madness practice Aug. 1, and he saw the vision for why he accepted the job to be the head coach of the Licking Heights football team.
Sayers had a strong six-season tenure at Northland, turning the Vikings into a perennial contender in the Columbus City League and for a Division II playoff spot. He now brings much of his staff with him in hopes to taking the Hornets back to their heights of a decade ago.
“The kids are amazing. They are all bought in,” Sayers said. “Midnight madness was an absolute blast. It is probably one of the best memories those kids will get to take with them, being out here until 1:15. We had parents here who had food set up for them. They are all invested.”
Heights has fallen, going without more than five wins in a season since a run of seven consecutive winning seasons from 2012-18. The Hornets won just eight games during the past three seasons.
“Ever since the coaches have come in, we have wanted it more, and we want to get to a (Licking County League-Buckeye Division) championship,” senior safety Jaydyn Powell said. “Everybody is chasing the same thing. We have to give it everything we have.”
Heights graduated much of its offensive and defensive production. Plus, the Hornets have been without junior All-Ohioan Robert Talbert, a standout at receiver and defensive end, as he continues to recover from a knee injury last offseason.
None of that has bothered Sayers. He welcomed the opportunity to come to a program that can wipe the slate clean. Only a few Heights assistants remain as he brought over several from Northland, including both coordinators.
“Most of my coaching staff is brand new to here, so I told those guys it’s a fresh start,” Sayers said. “Everybody starts at the same level, and we are going to find the best 11 to take the field in every situation we can be in. We have some guys that are just offense or just defense, so it has been really nice having a bunch of kids out.”
To that end, Sayers will be leaning on players throughout the senior down to the sophomore classes. Powell, at running back as well, and Desmond Jackson, at receiver, lead the seniors, but they will have help from those below them.
Junior Cole Thacker returns at inside linebacker and classmate Tip Davis at safety and Colsen Scheibeck are tabbed to step forward into prominent roles. Sophomore Kendryk Hampton is expected to take over at quarterback, and two of his top targets could be Tyquan Crawford, who flashed as a kick returner a season ago, and Stone Fenton, who made an impressive debut on the baseball diamond as a pitcher last spring.
“It’s really good for the program because (Sayers) wants to win games. He wants the best players out there at all times,” Fenton said. “I am really excited to play with my quarterback Kendryck Hampton. We have been working together for two years now. I am really excited for this season.”
Heights has also reached over to its championship basketball team for an infusion of talent. Seniors Isaiah Ferguson at receiver and Maddox Hoban at linebacker have the potential to be high-quality additions.
While the Hornets do not return statistics that jump off the page, they are blessed with numbers. Sayers has made a point to frequently scrimmage starters against each other in practice to raise the level of daily competition, and his players have embraced the challenge.
Heights opens at Newark before hosting Bishop Ready in Week 2. The Hornets lost to those two teams by a combined 65 points a season ago.
“Yeah, (Talbert) was all-state, but we have so many supporting pieces out here,” Sayers said. “We have a ton of sophomores and juniors starting. We are not worried about those one or two guys standing out. They have to come together as a team like they have never done before.”
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Licking Heights football program breathing fresh air
Reporting by Kurt Snyder, Newark Advocate / Newark Advocate
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Kurt Snyder, Newark Advocate | USA TODAY Network
