HINTON, Iowa (KTIV) -- -
Hinton High School has co-head coaches for their football team in Bruce Held and Steve Diedeker. To say they've been around the football block would be an understatement.
"We've been doing this, our 30th year together and we've been through this before," said Held.
Over those three decades, there haven't been too many losing seasons. Last year, the Blackhawks finished 2-7..unacceptable in "Blackhawk Country."
"We all worked ten times then we did off-season," said Hinton senior Austin Anfinson. "Some guys last year showed up when they wanted to, this time if you didn't show up, you were getting chewed out by the teammates and you were held accountable for what you were doing."
This season it's about senior leadership, making the switch from Class 1A to A, and a new motto. This year's theme for the Blackhawks, 'one game at a time'."
"We're looking forward to that one game only," said Held. "I don't even know who our second opponent is to be honest with you and that's just the way we want to keep it."
The Blackhawks return their starting quarterback but this season Hinton will hang its hat in the trenches.
"I really like our offensive lineman and defensive lineman," added Held. "They all played last year. They're all returning. We're very physical up front. We've got good skill there. They have good knowledge of the game and good experience there."
Hinton is banking on that experience to get them back to the playoffs.
"Just bring the team together, make us all work together as a team and then just do what we can do to get some wins," said senior Morgan Wenzel.
The Blackhawks open up the season Saturday August 25th against LeMars Gehlen at Elwood Olsen Stadium. That game is at 4:00 PM.
The Hinton football team is hoping to bounce back from a 2-7 campaign in 2011.
