Holt Short on Experience for Moore's First Season

At this time last year, new Holt coach Ken Moore was preparing for his finest season yet: guiding Warrenton’s 75-player program—the largest in his five-year career—through an 11-4 campaign and a second-place appearance in the Class 4 state championship game.

This summer, Moore introduced himself to 120 Indians, with more expected to walk on once school begins. And if he wanted a big lump of clay, he got it: The 2010 team, despite a solid 6-5 record and third-place 4-2 showing in the GAC South, suffered sweeping losses from graduation.

This season, “bigger” is a certainty. “Better” has yet to be determined.

“Only a handful of these kids have actually played with extensive experience,” Moore said. “Though, while we don’t have a lot of starters back, we do have a lot of quality back. I just think without that experience, sometimes it’s hard for (players) to understand ‘Hey, I can’t just show up, I’ve got to show up and be the man. I’m the one who needs to step up and take charge of leadership here.’”

Most of the 2011 Holt skill positions will be fresh starters, including receivers and whoever emerges from a quarterback battle between two juniors and a freshman. The offense will lean on returning running back Tray Mitchell, a junior who ran for 468 yards on 73 attempts (6.4 ypc) and 6 touchdowns as a backup last season. Mitchell will find solace behind the only other experienced offensive starters: the line returns seniors Stephen Riley, Dylan Skinner, Brian Headrick and junior Austin Mayse.

Defensively, Moore was conveniently left with some strength up the middle. The unit will be led by senior safety Travion Vaughn, who was second on last year’s team with 77 total tackles, 46 of them solo, and also contributed 2 sacks and an interception. Junior linebackers Clint Koons and Mark Cushing also return; Cushing added 69 total tackles, 3 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries in 2010. The unit also has high expectations for seniors Kahimisi Smith and Nate Geissman.

“The hard part right now is trying to find a quarterback. It’s making the offense a little tough,” Moore said. “But we’ve got two juniors and a lot of talent from a freshman, and they’re all fighting hard to get this. We’re not going to look at week one as being the set-all. We’re looking to be competitive in our conference and be really competitive in our district. I would like to think we have a chance to win our district.”

Holt has several highlight games this season, including the season opener against GAC South power Francis Howell on Aug. 26. On Sept. 10, the Indians will play against Howell Central as part of the first annual Great American Football Classic at the Edward Jones Dome.

The rivalry game against will be hosted by Holt Oct. 28.