Pigskin Preview: Hoggard set on winning another conference title
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — With a state quarterfinal berth and state championship appearance the last two years, Hoggard football has been a model of consistency.
The Vikings have swept their conference slate in four of the last five years and have a record of 33-2 in league play during that span.
Head Coach Craig Underwood enters his 11th season as head coach. While they haven’t been bested for a while, taking the newly formed Carolina Coast Conference will not be a walk in the park.
“They work hard all year long,” Underwood said. “We know it’s going to be a tough battle. This conference gets tougher every year. Our non-conference schedule is really tough this year. We’re excited about those challenges. Who’s going to show up and be ready to play game one? Who can continue to improve each week? That’s who’s ultimately going to win this thing. That’s the track we’re going to get on.”
(Photo: Colton Emswiler/WWAY)
The Carolina Coast Conference used to be called the Mideastern Conference. It is identical with the exception that South Brunswick is no longer a part of the league.
Being on good Hoggard teams serves as motivation for the players.
“I think a lot of it is learning from the guys that go before you,” senior tight end Weston Chalk said. “Every year we have pretty good success. You just watch those guys that go before you and you want to replicate that when it’s your time.”
(Photo: Colton Emswiler/WWAY)
Ten starters return from a year. That includes six on defense.
The roster is stacked with 29 seniors who know how to uphold the standard the program has set.
“Definitely a conference championship,” senior defensive end Everett Hoerdemann said. “That’s always an expectation every season. Obviously, we want to make a playoff run and I think we have the team to do that for sure. I just hope to win games. There’s really nothing I could do that could make me happy about my season besides us winning games. As long as I go out there and try my best, provide for my team, I’ll be happy.”
(Photo: Colton Emswiler/WWAY)
The Vikings along with Laney are the only 8A schools in the area after reclassification from four divisions to eight.
Only 32 schools are in 8A, comprised of the largest schools in the state, while the other classes have at least 57.
Underwood embraces the change, but says having fewer schools to go through won’t make their journey any easier.
Hoggard opens up the season August 22 at home against Richmond Senior.
