By John Raffel
Terry Hessbrook is coaching an Ithaca team that, for the first time in four years, is not defending a 14-0 record and a state title.
But while the optimism remains cautious, the fact that the Yellowjackets have several returning starters from a squad that fell one win shy of a fifth straight title in 2014 has Ithaca fans relishing the thought of a return to glory.
“On the defensive side of the ball, I think at least 13 kids started at least one game,” Hessbrook said. “On the offensive side of the ball, when Myles Waldron got hurt, we went with three receivers and three running backs instead of gong with four receivers and two backs. At that point, we were with 10 offensive starters back.”
All-stater Jake Smith at quarterback, “is just a fantastic athlete, great feet, brilliant kid, 4.0 athlete, and did some fantastic things for us last year,” Hessbrook said.
All-stater Spence DeMull at wide receiver had 66 catches and more than 1,100 yards a year ago. Jonah Loomis was an all-state defensive lineman and “has added some nice weight to his frame,” Hessbrook said. “He’s at 190 pounds right now with a short, compact frame and is very quick.”
Another all-stater is linebacker Jace Demenov, the team’s leading tackler as a sophomore and as a junior. “He’s looking at a big year,” Hessbrook said. He also noted that Derek Teed was an all-conference defensive lineman and Aaron Barnes a first team all-league defensive linebacker. Tyler Spitzley was an all-conference defensive back.
“You see a lot of kids coming back, and it’s probably the most experienced team I’ve had,” Hessbrook said. “You look around and eight of these kids were up as sophomores in 2013. They’ve already played in 28 varsity football games. The game tends to slow down when you’ve been around as long as some of these guys have. Last year, we had a new face at almost every position. This year, we have kids that have been around for a couple of years.”
It’s going to be a similar-looking Ithaca team, Hessbrook emphasized. “Each year the trick for the coaching staff is figure out what you can do and then do it,” he said. “Last year, when one of our receivers, Myles Waldron, got hurt, we went with more of a power running game. We added Aaron Barnes to the backfield with Dallas Reeser along with Jake Smith. We always want to be balanced and want to run the ball, and we want to throw the ball. We’ll always take what the defense allows us.”
The loss in the state final hasn’t changed the objective of Ithaca football. “It’s the same goal,” Hessbrook said “For several years in a row, the goal is to win the Division 6 state championship. When I met with the team back in April, that’s what their goal is. We’re not shy about talking about it, because that’s what the goal is.
“We’re not going to change what we do or the way we think. You try to stay steady. We have to get back to work and good things will happen.”
The loss to St. Mary Catholic Central and the end of the winning streak doesn’t necessarily take the pressure off the team. “We’re going to get everyone’s best shot,” Hessbrook said. “Whether it’s 7-on-7, regular-season game, or playoff game, people want to beat us. We have a bullseye on our chest all the time. That motivates you. We have to be ready. We have to be prepared. The kids have been able to remain pretty level-headed and even-keeled.”