(Sentinel photo by Brian Schekirke) Hinton seniors Jordan Sitzmann (45), Kyle Huggenberger (66), Kevin Huggenberger (65) and Alex Vondrak (56) listen as co-head coaches Steve Diediker and Bruce Held introduce the group as the captains for the 2008 squad before Friday night's scrimmage. [Click to enlarge]

With 16 letter-winners returning from a squad that posted a 6-4 overall record - 5-2 in their district - Hinton looks poised to make a return trip to state.

However, for the Blackhawks to end their season in the state playoffs for the second consecutive year, after making it last year for the first time since 2002, the team must answer a few key questions before Friday's game at Unity Christian.

The most glaring question facing the team now is who will replace two-year starter Cory Westphal under center. Westphal graduated this past spring after completing 41 passes for 721 yards and four touchdowns.

(Sentinel photo by Brian Schekirke) Hinton running back Ricky Vander Kooi looks to escape the tackle of defensive end Dale Timmerman (87) during Hinton's Black and White Scrimmage. [Click to enlarge]

Right now, co-head coach Bruce Held said that the quarterback position is "totally up in the air right now. We're starting over and it's our biggest concern. Basically, it's a competition between four people," said Held. "We need to see who can handle it and do the little things."

One of the four leaders for the position is senior Jordan Sitzmann who hasn't played at the quarterback position before but returns as a letter-winner. Junior Nick Becker is in the same boat as Sitzmann as he has also never taken snaps at the position but looks to be tight in the race for the starting position.

Fellow junior Tyler Stuerman is the only upperclassmen vying for the position with any quarterback experience. The 6'6, 182 pound right-hander led the junior varsity squad for the past two years before joining the mix for the position. Lastly, sophomore Joe Popken is still in the race. Held describes Popken as "a promising young quarterback with some skill."

(Sentinel photo by Brian Schekirke) A member of the Hinton Blackhawks' football team prepares to receive a punt return during a recent practice. The team opens up its season on Friday with a trip to Orange City to play Unity Christian. [Click to enlarge]

"I wish we had one quarterback who could take most of the reps," said Held. "But we have four guys taking reps and our starter is not going to have the reps he needs before the first game. We hope to get something settled in the next couple of days."

If this past Friday is any indication, it looks like Sitzmann could have a small upper hand heading into the Blackhawks' first game against Unity.

"Each kid brings something different to the table - we'll see who gives us the most heading into the season," Held continued. "We're just trying to find what works for us, that's our main focus. Other than that, I think we have a very solid football team."

Another position that looks to be settled in the next week is the running back position. Aaron Book is leading the race but fellow senior Tim Youtzy isn't too far behind.

"Tim played quite a bit last year," said Held. "He's looking pretty good and he'll definitely be in the mix. But we also have some juniors pushing hard. Zach Yoerger is pushing hard and he'll also be up there.

Held also mentioned that junior Ricky Vander Kooi could be in the running at fullback or the running back spot. Sophomores Keegan Bak and Brady Schindel could also see some time at the position.

Vander Kooi looks to be the third option at fullback behind Eric Held and Stephen Koithan who are still battling it out for the spot.

"Both got experience last year and they're battling hard to become the starter," said Held.

The bright spot on the Hinton offense is the linemen up front.

"There is plenty of experience on our line - very quick and athletic. We've had some big battles up front so it's been intense but competitive," said Held. "Offensively, we're going to block well this season, I've been very impressed with them."

The line will be anchored by 2007 all-district nominees Kyle and Kevin Huggenberger along with Alex Vondrak. Tanner Knop figures to be the team's starting center when the season begins, with Dale Timmerman - who was all-district as a defensive end last year - making his debut at tight end.

Timmerman will also anchor down the defensive line with Vondrak lining up at the other defensive end position.

"Both of those kids started at (defensive) end last year and they're both senior," said co-coach Steve Diediker. "They've got the experience - Alex has been starting since he was a sophomore - so we expect big things from them."

With the two defensive ends set, the interior lineman position looks to be a three-way battle between Kevin Huggenberger, Knop and sophomore Mitchell Udell.

"Each bring something a little different," said Diediker. "Those three guys are battling for the nose position because we only use three down linemen."

As part as the Blackhawks' defensive scheme, the linebacker position looks to be an area with a lot of depth. Preseason all-state selection Kyle Huggenberger and Held look to figure into the mix after playing there last year. Book and Youtzy will move their position battle to the other side of the ball while competing with Adam Struve who could see some time at safety. Koithan, Bak, Vander Kooi and Cole Vondrak have also been tabbed as potential contributors at the position.

"It's a pretty good competition for those five positions," said Diediker. "Besides two of them, most haven't been tested but all should be solid contributors at the position."

Sitzmann is Hinton's only returning starter at the cornerback position after losing Ryan Wenzel and Westphal.

Wenzel set the school record for most interceptions in a game last season. Both Wenzel and Westphal tied the team-high for interceptions with five in the 2007 campaign.

"Ryan set a record last year and Cory was probably one of the best cover backs we've ever had," said Diediker. "So there are some big shoes to fill this season."

Becker, Book and Yoerger could potentially compete for those two defensive back positions. Yoerger started a few games early in his sophomore year but was injured for a majority of the year.

As for kicking duties, Bak did kick some last season and will compete with Vander Kooi for the punting job. Vander Kooi could also get his kicks while booting kickoffs but Jake Barkley could also factor into that race.

"Bak did punt a little bit last year but he doesn't have a lot of experience," said Diediker. "Sometimes they hit it really well and sometimes they don't. We're just looking for some consistency."

Both Held and Diediker agree that West Lyon - a team Hinton hasn't beaten - is a favorite in their district. The district race could get tighter this season as 2007 Class A state runner-up Lawton-Bronson is moving up a class and is on Hinton's schedule.

"Game in and game out, I think it's going to be pretty balanced," said Diediker.

"Any one can beat anyone and injuries play a big part in that. Whoever can stay healthy and get a break here and there is going to be successful."