Coach: CRAIG LAIRD 

LAST 8 YEARS: 

2021 – 0-10 2020 – 0-6 

2019 – 4-6 

2018 – 8-4 

2017 – 7-5 

2016 – 7-5 

2015 – 8-4 

2014 – 6-4 

OFFENSE 

The Hulbert Riders will have their second new head coach in as many years as they open the 2022 season with Craig Laird at the helm. He takes over a team that is winless in its last 16 outings and that had only 14 bodies suited up at the end of last year. 

“We’ve focused mainly on getting to know our players whether it’s by position or leadership skills, and their work ethic. We’ve got just three seniors but most of the guys that are back got serious playing time last year.” Perhaps fullback Jose Deckard (5-4, 160, Jr.) epitomizes the kind of player Laird has seen. “From the first day I walked into the locker room to meet the players, Jose has impressed me with his work ethic. When everyone headed out to spring break, he was asking me about things he could do on his own to improve himself,” said Laird. There will be a couple of other guys to help out at running back in Gabe Armstrong (5-5, 155, Jr.) and Ethan Reese (5-10, 155, So.). There are also two guys who saw time last year returning to the line this year in center Dusty Tedder (5-11, 240, So.) and Jonas Brewer (5-10, 245, Jr.) at guard. Wide receivers out of Laird’s flex bone wing T offense are Ethan Thompson (5-10, 155, So.) and one of the only seniors in Trent Hess (5-9, 140). Duties at quarterback may fall to incoming freshman Ethan Ellis. 

DEFENSE 

Laird comes from a defensive coach background so that side of the ball is important to him. 

“I consider myself to be a defensive guy first and we always coach our guys to know their assignments in every situation. But I believe that a lot of mistakes can be overcome by guys that play with enthusiasm and passion on every single play and are good tacklers.” The heart of the defense will be at linebacker where Reese, Deckard, Armstrong and Wyatt Tedder (5-8, 170, So.) will strive to keep opposing offenses contained. In the defensive line you’ll find Jonas Brewer (5-10, 245, Jr.) and Ralphie Gordon (6-1, 230, Jr.) but who will comprise the secondary is still up in the air for the new coach who will institute a 4-2-5 defense. “We have a good solid core of guys that are highly invested in the program and are just trying to use some of the momentum that they are creating to continue to improve our program,” said Laird. The Riders will move to District A-7 this year with new opponents Ketchum, Quapaw, Commerce, Wyandotte, Fairland, and Afton. 

Schedule: 

8-26 – vs. Kansas 

9-9 – vs. Porter 

9-15 – at Nowata 

9-23 – at Commerce 

9-30 – vs. Fairland 

10-7 – at Afton 

10-13- vs. Ketchum 

10-21 – at Wyandotte 

10-28 – vs. Colcord 

11-4 – vs. Quapaw