H.S. football: Southeastern hoping injury wave has past

Injuries are part of the game. But when you are a small school, they are an even more painful part.

Just ask eighth-year Southeastern football coach Greg Bonifay. His Trojans struggled through a string of injuries on their way to an uncharacteristic 2-8 record last season.

“With injuries at a small school, when you lose one it is like losing three,” he said. “We had a lot of injuries (in 2015). We have been injury prone the last few years.”

At one point last season, the Trojans had to start their right guard at quarterback against Mechanicsburg. Bonifay is hoping the injuries are over, and he has high hopes for 2016.

“Our team unity is probably the best we’ve had since I’ve been here,” he said. “They give me all they’ve got and as a coach, that’s all you can ask for.

“I’m excited for what we can do.”

Bonifay said any success will start with defense, which returns seven starters. Senior linebacker Garrett Hunter (5-foot-11, 200 pounds), senior defensive lineman Robbie Mills (5-11, 295) and junior safety Hayden Toops (6-1, 165) will be the anchors.

“I feel that is going to be our strong point,” said Bonifay. “I feel like we got some good experience there last year. We are tackling better in scrimmages, and we are playing with a chip on our shoulder.”

Not to be outdone is the offense, which returns six starters. Leading the way will be wide receiver turned quarterback Hunter Davis (6-0, 215), who as a freshman broke the school’s longest TD pass record at the end of last season, when he started two games.

Senior Jay Connor (5-11, 145) and Toops, who started at QB as a freshman and was limited last season by a shoulder surgery, will be Davis’ main targets. Senior Kenny Smith (6-1, 180) will get the majority of carries at running back.

“We just want to get better,“ said Bonifay of his team’s 2016 goals. “We want to go out and compete. When you compete, good things can happen. If we can stay healthy and put it all together, I think we will surprise some people.”

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