#HSFT16: Stop No. 5 – Hamilton Lions

HAMILTON, Miss. (WCBI) — After a difficult 2015 season, Hamilton is ready to get back to the way things once were.

“The biggest thing that is different from last year to this year is the seniors,” head coach Josh Baty said. “Not saying I had bad seniors last year, but they were used to a different system. It was hard on them and me. With this group right here they’ve been with me for a year and the second year with our coaching staff, they’ve bought into it.”

It was a difficult first season for head coach Josh Baty at Hamilton.

The Lions were hit by the injury bug early and fought hard to finish the season with a win on their record. This year it doesn’t get any easier.

Seven seniors graduate but there’s optimism at Hamilton that last year is in the past and the youth joining the 3 senior leaders will get the Lions back on track.

“We’ve really come more together than last year,” senior Austin Myers said. “Last year was tough with everybody getting hurt. Everybody was giving up but this year with new guys coming in we’ll be bonded and work together.

“Last year was a tough year but this year will be good,” senior T.J. Warren said. “We’re going back to that mentality with a new coach we had last year that we’re getting used to. Now we’re going to the playoffs.”

Hamilton had been a perennial playoff team when 2010 rolled around but the last two seasons have kept the Lions out of the postseason.

This year’s focus is putting last year behind them and marching towards the mindset or returning to the playoff picture.

“I think this team can be special it will be up to them whether or not they want to be special,” Baty said. “It starts here. The only way to get better is starting with summer workouts and the weight room. I believe all good football teams are strong football teams and disciplined football teams. That’s where it starts. You have to be strong and disciplined in what you’re doing. Once they get to that, we’ll get back to where we were and be better than what we were.”

“We need to concentrate more and work harder in practice and workouts,” sophomore La’Derrick Despenza said. “Just concentrate and listen to coach and what he says. He’s always right.”

Hamilton will start the season on the road at South Pontotoc on a Thursday night before finishing up August away from home against East Union.