Hendersonville – Though West (2-0) won, Hendersonville (1-1) took away many positives early into Kirron Ward’s second season as the head coach. The Bearcats moved the ball well, and took it away from West.
They return nine of 11 starters on offense and on defense. Many offensive weapons surround Top Cat Hezzie Rudisill (5-9, 185 sr.), the fourth-year star varsity runner. He rushed for 1,079 (7.2 YPC) and eight touchdowns in 2023. He ran for 1,064 yards and 16 TDsas a freshman, and 1,102 (7.3 YPC) and 13 TDs in 2022. He rushed for a TD at West.
“Hezzie is a natural at finding creases” and cutting against the grain, Ward said. Rudisill has 4.4 speed, strength, and superb vision and acceleration. He is 22 pounds heavier now. Opponents “think all we do is pass” in the spread offense, Coach Ward said. “They game-plan for Hezzie. We take what teams give us.”
Backup RB Gianni Jacobs (6-1, 210 jr.) has plus power. “Gianni is selfless,” Ward said. A versatile Bearcat is WR-RB Amir Albany (5-10, 190 jr.). He is a grandson of Harold Albany, who led HHS to the 1972 state basketball title. Amir is mainly a receiver. But when he gets a handoff, look out. “When he gets out into the open, he’s tough to deal with,” Ward said. “He’s strong as well, like Hezzie. Amir’s tough to bring down.” HHS has name “swag” with a Deion Sanders (5-9, 170 jr.) running back.
‘Fraternity Ward’
Quarterback JaRon Ward (5-10, 195 so.) runs the show. As a developing freshman, he passed for 1,358 yards and 17 TDs versus four interceptions. He ran for three scores in 2023. He threw for more than 200 yards to seven different receivers at West on Aug. 30. “He did a great job as a freshman” and last week, West Coach Paul Whitaker said.
“He’s mobile, and getting faster and stronger,” Coach Ward said. “JaRon’s gaining better command of the offense. He knows coverages, where the ball has to go. He ran (a full play list) last year. He’s only 15. But we can do even more with him. We’re teaching him to take care of the ball, and make the right decisions.”
Though burly two-way superstar WR-DL C.J. Landrum graduated, HHS has flashy receivers as always. Albany exceeded 100 receiving yards at West. he snatched a 29-yard scoring pass at the goal line. Swift Gianni Thompson (5-8, 150 so.), Ace Smith (5-8, 140 so.), Rutledge Pace (5-11, 150 jr.), and Ford Pace (5-11, 150 sr.) are other targets. “We’re faster now on the edge,” Ward said. “In space, we make plays.”
The offensive line is as huge as ever. Strong fourth-year center Colton Ballard (6-2, 330 sr.) deserves a “wide load” vehicle preceding him onto the field. In the opener, he made five “pancakes” — flattening the onrushing lineman backwards onto the ground. Guard Bently Cornwell (5-10, 250 jr.) and tackles Chase Maney (5-10, 250 jr.) and Graham Painter (5-11, 230 sr.) are also returning starters. Maddox Ballard (6-0, 240 so.) joins them.
“They’re big and mean,” Coach Ward said. “They make ‘pancakes.’ They take pride in what they do. They held up against a really good (Falcon) defense, that came with a lot pressure. There were some breakdowns. But overall, they played a good game. We were better” than when the offense scored merely once in beating North Henderson 20-7.
Mo Rainey (5-10, 140 jr.), a soccer standout, has kicked a 40-yard field goal.
‘Dark Side’
“Dark Side” is the 4-3 defense’s Star Wars-like nickname of seven years, Coach Ward revealed. “They want to live up to a standard. They’re physical We fly to the ball. Our defense is opportunistic. We created five turnovers against North, then forced four on West. We got up early on West. We were in control.”
Hendersonville scored two early TDs at West, after recovering a botched punt then after an interception by Javanni Suber (5-7, 150 so.). In week one, Suber had a “pick six,” and Omirion Barber (5-9, 260 sr.) made a strip sack. Tymir Barber (5-9, 250 jr.) recovered a fumble in each game.
Like the O-line with Ballards, the D-line also has two brothers with the Barbers. This “Barber Shop Quartet” includes DT James Buford (6-4, 300 sr.) and DE Sebastian Jacobs (6-4, 190 so.). “They’re very athletic, penetrate, and chase people down,” Ward said. Linebackers are Jacobs, Albany, and Chaz Johnson (5-10, 180 jr.). DBs are Suber, Thompson, Smith, and Eric Glisson (5-9, 150 so.).
“Physical” Brevard is a consensus Mountain Foothills favorite, Ward said. But HHS is a legit contender. Rather than worry about BHS, Ward said, “we gotta keep getting after it.”