Hunter Norris has compiled a 15-8 record in his two years at the helm of the Pioneers. Lebanon was hit hard with graduation but still has high aspirations. Lebanon News Sportswriter Anthony Stevens recently spoke with Coach Norris about the football program and the upcoming season.
Q: After approximately 14 departures due to graduation, is the plan to rebuild or reload?
A: We’re looking to reload. We lost some big names from last year that everybody knows, but we also have some kids coming up in the program who have been playing on our middle school and JV teams. They’ve developed really well, and there are going to be some guys who played backup roles to those we lost and saw some playing time over the past couple of years, especially late last year with injuries. We’re excited to see them step in and see what they do. It’s that next-man-up mentality for us, and I think we’re going to surprise some people with what we’re able to accomplish.
Q: You have two years under your belt as a head coach now. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in those two years?
A: The most important thing is definitely the relationships—not just with the kids, but with your staff—and coming to an understanding of not trying to see what kids can’t do, but what they can do, and putting kids in positions where they can be successful. Don’t ask kids to do something they might not be good at. Our staff has done a really good job. They make my job easier as the head coach. We’ve had a really good run of kids; we’ve got a good staff, and hopefully we can keep that trend going and put kids in the right spots to make plays.
Q: You mentioned your coaching staff. There is always turnover each year. Who will be helping you this season?
A: We’ve got DJ Hall, our defensive coordinator. Patrick Wade came over from Castlewood. He’s my associate head coach and coaches the wide receivers and defensive backs. Matt Jessee coaches our running backs and linebackers. Barry Boothe coaches our offensive line and helps on the defensive line with DJ. Keith Stiltner will be a volunteer this year, helping us out. We brought Brian Dillon back. He was on staff before I got here three years ago with Darrell Taylor. He’s decided to come back after stepping down as the girls’ soccer head coach, so he’ll volunteer and help us on varsity. Jared Slate is our assistant offensive line coach and will help with the middle school team’s offensive line. Dakota Hall has been with me the whole time here. He’s DJ’s brother. He helps with linebackers and special teams. I think that’s everybody.
Q: Were you pleased with the participation and activities in the off-season?
A: I thought we had a really good turnout. We had at least 35 kids here for most of it, and we got a lot of really good work in. The kids are excited. There’s still a lot of hype behind the program and excitement among people who have been waiting for their opportunity. They’re excited to see what they do on Friday nights. That’s been a theme throughout the summertime—they’re ready to work. They’re really excited to get started, get camp rolling, and get to that first scrimmage.
Q: A four-year starter, Mike Reece, is at UVA-Wise. Freshman Will Jessee will be behind center. I know you won’t give away any secrets, but how will the offense change?
A: Will was in a really good position because he sat behind Mike for two years and learned from him. Mike was a great teammate and leader who helped Will develop at quarterback. He’s really not a freshman because he’s sat behind Mike for two years, learned, and played middle school ball for us for two years. He’s got a lot of development. He’s been our scout team quarterback and has gone against our first-team defense. He’s got some experience playing and going against varsity guys in practice. I’m really excited about his development. He’s come a long way since we started, even just this summer. In our last seven-on-seven versus Tennessee High, I thought he did a lot of really good things. We only dropped one or two passes in that seven-on-seven. That’s from him coming in extra with some guys throwing and catching, developing that chemistry. I think we’re still going to be able to throw the ball successfully. We might not pitch it around the yard sixty times like we used to, but he’s got the arm and the knowledge to still be a threat in the pass game and move the chains that way. He also brings athleticism to the quarterback position. If he makes one guy miss, he’s got the speed to take it to the house. We’re going to try to utilize that and tailor the offense to his strengths because he’s going to be the guy running it. We’ve got to change it a little bit to fit what he does well—putting him in the best position to be successful given his athletic ability.
Q: Big brother Layne Jessee is getting D1 looks. What do you look for from Layne in his junior season? He’s been a huge factor on both sides of the ball.
A: I think Layne will continue to be that for us. He’s our utility guy. He can play everything—quarterback, running back, and all the skill positions. He’s likely to line up at all of those by the last game of the season and play a snap at every skill position for us. He’ll line up everywhere for us on defense as well. He can play any position. When you have a guy like that, you look at who you’re playing that week and see where you might want to put him to be most successful and get the most out of him. That’s kind of his role for us. We’re excited to have him and his brother on the field together. They’re both very similar athletes who can play any position anywhere. We’re blessed to have those guys as part of our program.
Q: With the departure of the seniors, other than the Jessees, who are you looking to step into leadership roles?
A: We’re looking to our offensive line. Those guys have a lot of experience and have played a lot of football games. Leadership for us doesn’t have an age or a position, so anybody can step up and be a leader when their moment’s called. Some of the guys we’re looking to step into those roles are Hayden Sears on the offensive line, Connor Griffith—another senior who’s played a ton of games for us—and Wesley Alexander. He’s just a sophomore, but with his work ethic, attitude, and the way he’s played, especially how he’s attacked this off-season—going to camps, being here every day, being vocal, and doing it the right way—he’s a young guy who’s earned the right to be a leader on this team by his actions. Those three guys, especially on the offensive line, have a lot of games under their belt, and they’re guys we’re really looking to step up and be leaders for the team.
Q: Lebanon will be moving to Class 1 next fall. There is one more year in the Southwest District and Region 2D. Two big dogs, Graham and Union, are already on your schedule. Who do you expect to be the other powerhouses in the district and region?
A: 2A is loaded from top to bottom. Everybody has really good players and coaches, and they’re all coached very well. It’s a privilege to be in the Southwest District because the competition is very strong week in and week out. We’re very proud of our schedule because we try to pick up the best teams we can outside our conference. We want to be tested every week so we can see where we stand. There were some games last year, due to injuries and performances, that we’d like to have back, but that’s why you play them. We’re excited. Even going down to 1A, we can play games that give us a test, show where we’re at, and give our kids a challenging game. We’re excited about going to 1A and going to the Hogoheegee or the Cumberland—those are both top-to-bottom really good football programs. In this area, football doesn’t matter which district you’re in. They’re all good players and coaches, so wherever we’re at and whoever we play, we’re just excited for the opportunity. It doesn’t matter to us.
Q: Finally, what are your expectations for the season?
A: What we always talk about first with our team, take it week by week and one game at a time. We want to have a winning season. We have goals and aspirations of trying to get to the big game and making a deep playoff run, but to get there we have to take one game at a time, one opponent at a time, play it week by week, and see where we end up. Make a run if we can, but our first goal is to take one game at a time, end the season on a winning note with a winning record, and see where we get from there and if we can make a run in the playoffs.
This is the first in a three-part series covering the three-county schools’ preseason outlook for football. Next week, Castlewood coach Cody Smith.
1. Anthony Stevens | Lebanon News
Hunter Norris
2. Preston Ball | For the Lebanon News
Layne Jessee (44) carries a Richlands defender last season in the Pioneers’ win on Harry Stuart Field.
