Hartsville football putting pieces together this summer

Hartsville – Hartsville head football coach Jeff Calabrese admits to enjoying the annual offseason process of putting together his next Red Fox squad.

Calabrese knows there will be player losses to replace, which may require moving some returning players to new positions. Putting the pieces of the puzzle together year after year is a challenge the coach enjoys.

“Every year is new,” said Calabrese, who begins his 20^th season at Hartsville and his 31^st as a head coach overall. “Figuring out the right players for the right spots is what we try to do all spring and summer. Everything is on the table. We look at everything. Our job is to try hard to find out what we can do with the players that we have, not worry about the players that we lost.”

Take for instance the quarterback position where the Red Foxes look to replace a three-year starter, McKendrie Douglas. Calabrese feels the best option this fall will be senior EJ Smith, who was one of Hartsville’s key receivers a season ago.

“He’s a versatile kid with a great attitude and a great work ethic. We feel he gives us the best shot going into the season,” the coach said.

 Sophomore Cason Dawson will work as the No. 2 guy after leading the junior varsity team a year ago, and 6-3 freshman Ford Wallace has been getting reps during the summer.

The key returner on offense is senior running back Hakeem Watters, who topped 1,400 yards and scored 20 touchdowns last season. Watters has verbally committed to Charleston Southern.

The leader along the offensive line will be fourth-year starter Deric Brown but the rest of the unit will be fairly inexperienced.

Hartsville should be strong defensively with some key players back at all three levels. Up front are returning ends Jackson Chavis and Jordan Davis, along with noseguard Ezra Brockinberry.

Returning linebackers include Coleman Radcliffe, last year’s leading tackler, and Web Barnes, who missed last season with an injury but was a top tackler as a sophomore in 2022. Xavier Robinson returns as an outside linebacker.

Anchoring an athletic secondary are returning safety Damarion Coe and corner Antuan Segars. Coe also is a special teams phenom both as a returner and kick blocker on field goals and extra points.

Calabrese has been pleased with focus and effort of his team during the offseason.

“There has been a very high level of commitment and effort from these kids,” he said. “It has been an easy group to coach because they are very willing to be coached and to improve.”