Hiland senior Perrin Miller and his defensive teammates have helped the Hawks start the season on a strong note despite losing several key players to graduation.Josh McWilliams
Graduating one of its best senior classes a year ago, Hiland, in many minds, was going to have to rebuild this year. Tell that to the boys wearing the uniforms because somewhere they didn’t get the memo.
Opening up on the road at River View, the reigning Division IV state champs, the Hawks didn’t bat an eye. In a superb showing, Hiland earned a 1-1 draw and then turned around and blew past Wayne County Athletic League title contender Smithville 4-1.
“We’ve had a great start to the season,” senior defender Perrin Miller said. “We would have liked to keep the shutout (Smithville), but it’s still a great start. We can’t ask for more; we got the dub.”
What did it mean to open the season against the Black Bears?
“That absolutely motivated us to get back to the grind,” Miller said. “Especially with the state champs to open the season, we felt ready to go and wanted to prove ourselves.”
That sentiment was echoed by his coach Scott Bodiker, who began year 26 at the helm.
“Expectations are always high here, and this year is no different,” he said. “We graduated one of the strongest senior classes we’ve ever had last year, and we will feel their loss. Still, we have a good group returning and expect those guys to step up.”
A big chunk of those returners came defensively around Miller, as he was joined by Bodie Gertz and goalkeeper Chase Coblentz. That core, a year ago, set a school record with 14 shutouts.
In the forward third and middle, there is plenty of talent in the likes of Christian Mullet, Luke Bodiker, Noah Troyer, Max Jones and Rowen Miller.
Still, it’s the names that aren’t there due to graduation that could cause some concern. Sixty-two goals, 38 assists and 162 points combined between Zeke Bodiker, Logan Hershberger and Ohlen Troyer is a lot for any team, just maybe not this team.
“It’s just a next-man-up mentality for the offense,” Miller said. “Right now we’re in a good spot. We’re showing really good effort and doing some nice things at both ends of the pitch.
“Defensively, we have three returning starters, and we’re leaders in that way. As a team we’re where we need to be at this point in the season.”
The offense is showing no ill effects of the graduation losses.
“All of these guys are letter-winners,” Bodiker said. “But we have some guys that haven’t gotten much of a chance yet at the varsity level that are going to surprise people.”
This Hawks team would love nothing more than to be the first to punch that elusive ticket to state. For now Hiland continues the road of seeking its 23rd district appearance since 2001 and 18th regional appearance during the same timeframe.
“We are definitely motivated,” Miller said. “We can do it. We have the personnel to do it. We just have to keep working and getting better.”
