Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012

Holly Springs football preview: Starting fresh with Will Orbin

They’ve got new helmets, a new coach, new enthusiasm – and 18 new starters.

Holly Springs (2-8), led by Will Orbin, hopes to shake things up this year.

Orbin comes in from being the offensive coordinator at Leesville Road, and he said that “changing the culture is the toughest thing” about taking over a new program. The Golden Hawks are 4-17 over the previous two seasons, but Orbin has been impressed by this group’s willingness to right the ship.

“Our kids have worked extremely hard in picking up what we do in the weight room, what we do offensively, defensively and special teams-wise. They’ve done a great job at that,” Orbin said. “They’re very coachable.”

Leesville Road had one of the top offenses in the state last season, and Orbin will bring with him some of the wrinkles he implemented last season.

“We’re in essences, the same thing we’ve been doing at Leesville,” “We’re more of a two-back spread team … a power run, play-action team.”

Quarterback Brett Hudspeth, who started seven games last season, is one of the few experienced returners on offense.

Calvin Wilson is a potential starter at running back, and Evan Allen could line up at receiver.

Orbin likes his offensive line, which includes Danny Tolbert, John Campbell and Anthony Gomez.

Holly Springs has scored just 14 points on Cary High in the past two meetings, so it should be to the Hawks’ delight that former Cary defensive coordinator Andy Kolstad has been brought over. He’ll have an inexperienced group to lead, but senior linebacker Daniel Nash returns as a starter.

Defensive linemen Nic Johnson and Jamal Jacobs will be looked to early, as will defensive backs Elijah Reteguiz and Montravious Montgomery

“We feel like we’ve got some kids that can really step up and execute our system,” said Orbin.

With a young group to work with, Orbin’s program might be heading for a rebuilding year, but he’s directed his team to not worry about that far ahead.

“We’re really trying to focus on the here and now and take care of what Holly Springs can take care of. I know that sounds pretty cliche, but it’s really the truth around our place,” Orbin said.