HICKORY GROVE
Head Coach: Mike Pondo (4th year as Hickory Grove football coach/8-24 at Hickory Grove).
2016 Record (Conference): 1-9.
2017 Conference: NCISAA West conference (new)/NCISAA Division II.
Returning Starters: 17 (9 offense; 8 defense).
Returning Lettermen: 20
Key Returning Starters: Caleb Small, Sr., FB/DL (5-11, 235); Jaylyn Hargett-Boyce, Sr., WR/DB (6-1, 170); Christian Little, Sr., DL/TE (6-4, 245); Kaleb Johnson, Sr., WR (6-0, 160); John Grabowski, Sr., QB/LB (6-1, 205).
Key Newcomers: Robert Baldree, So., LB/FB/WB (6-0, 170); Luke Farthing, So., WB/LB; Chance Baucom, So., DE/TE (6-4, 215); Paris Taylor, So., LB/FB (6-1, 215).
Outlook: Hickory Grove has struggled in the last three years, winning just eight games in that span, including just one-win last season, where they averaged 10 points per game. But with 17 starters back, the Lions believe they can be much improved and be a factor in the new, NCISAA West conference. Hickory Grove seniors, QB John Grabowski, FB Caleb Small, WR Jaylyn Hargett-Boyce and DL Christian Little, will play major roles in just how much better the Lions can be in 2017.
Head Coach: Mike Pondo (4th year as Hickory Grove football coach/8-24 at Hickory Grove).
2016 Record (Conference): 1-9.
2017 Conference: NCISAA West conference (new)/NCISAA Division II.
Returning Starters: 17 (9 offense; 8 defense).
Returning Lettermen: 20
Key Returning Starters: Caleb Small, Sr., FB/DL (5-11, 235); Jaylyn Hargett-Boyce, Sr., WR/DB (6-1, 170); Christian Little, Sr., DL/TE (6-4, 245); Kaleb Johnson, Sr., WR (6-0, 160); John Grabowski, Sr., QB/LB (6-1, 205).
Key Newcomers: Robert Baldree, So., LB/FB/WB (6-0, 170); Luke Farthing, So., WB/LB; Chance Baucom, So., DE/TE (6-4, 215); Paris Taylor, So., LB/FB (6-1, 215).
Outlook: Hickory Grove has struggled in the last three years, winning just eight games in that span, including just one-win last season, where they averaged 10 points per game. But with 17 starters back, the Lions believe they can be much improved and be a factor in the new, NCISAA West conference. Hickory Grove seniors, QB John Grabowski, FB Caleb Small, WR Jaylyn Hargett-Boyce and DL Christian Little, will play major roles in just how much better the Lions can be in 2017.
