High School Football Preview Series: Hillcrest Knights gear up for campaign with new QB at the helm

AMMON, Idaho (KIFI) – The Hillcrest Knights football team is preparing for the upcoming season following significant roster turnover. After graduating 30 seniors from last year's squad, the team is working to integrate new starters across several key positions.

Head Coach Brennon Mossholder noted that replacing the outgoing senior class has been a frequent topic during preseason previews. “Yeah, I was joking earlier today. Every preview I've done, everyone said, ‘How do you replace this group?’ And I was like, I don't know, but we're going to take the field with 11 next Friday night!” Mossholder joked. The opening in the roster has allowed underclassmen and returning players to compete for starting roles and team leadership. “This is a whole new team. We're looking for new leaders to step up. And I think we have some guys that have done that,” Mossholder said.

At quarterback, the team is transitioning from Tyson Sweetwood, who graduated as the All-Conference Player of the Year and was First Team All-Idaho, to junior Logan Taylor. Head Coach Mossholder described Taylor as a different style of player under center. “Our starting quarterback this year, just a completely different type of athlete,” he said. “But what he does have is an absolute God given ability to throw the football.” Taylor spent the summer preparing for his first varsity season and emphasized his desire to guide the offense. “I'm very competitive and I want to win every game I can,” Taylor said. “I'll do whatever I can to win. I'll be that leader that my team needs. I want them to know that I'm the leader that they can have and depend on.”

Protecting Taylor's blindside is senior left tackle Gavin Allen, who was named second team all-state offensive line and first team all-conference a year ago. Allen expressed pride in maintaining a clean pocket for his backfield. “One of my favorite things is taking a picture with our quarterback and our running back after the game and their jerseys are clean and ours are totally muddy,” the senior LT said. “I just take pride in being able to know that I can keep them safe and be a big factor in winning games.” Allen noted that building mutual trust between the offensive line and the new quarterback developed steadily over summer practices. “As he learned to trust us through the summer and, as we learned to trust him, it's starting to come together pretty nicely,” he said.

The receiving corps is also adjusting to Taylor's skillset. Senior tight end Boston Morris is among the targets working with the new quarterback during summer preparations. “I really like his arm,” Morris said. “He's got a really solid arm, and he can run the ball, too. I think he's going to be a really good weapon for us." Looking at the roster's overall mindset amid the adjustments, Mossholder summarized the squad's identity. "If I was going to use one word to describe this team, I think it would just be unity," Mossholder said.

The Hillcrest Knights are scheduled to take the field for their upcoming contest against Pocatello, the newest member of their conference, next Friday night, August 28th.