Clover Hill has hired a new football coach who wants to build a program focused on clear standards and player responsibility after many ups and downs in past years.
Matt Hutchings is a former Cavalier; he is focused on progress, and is willing to try new approaches to help the team succeed.
“I let the players work within a certain box; these are our rules, these are our standards that we need to uphold, but within that, this is their team,” said Hutchings.
He is focused on making steady progress and working hard to compete with strong teams.
“I think you know, can we show progress? Can we continue to improve? And can we compete with the teams we feel equal to or less than talent-wise?” said Hutchings.
Coach Hutchings recognizes the challenges the team has faced in the past and plans to bring new ideas to the team.
“When you have a program that hasn’t been successful, you could try lots of different things, you can be creative, you can try to do things that have never been done before, and if it doesn’t work, you’re still at square one,” said Hutchings.
But the new coach’s vision is not just about winning games; he wants his players to embody greatness in every aspect of their lives.
“Our biggest thing with our players is we want to be great in the classroom, be great in the community, and be great on the football field,” said Hutchings.
Players are already feeling the impact of the new coaching approach, noticing changes both on and off the field. Kerry Williams, a senior on the team, likes the switch in coaching.
“He’s a good coach, you know, turning our program around to be good, helping us [to] be better men and also better football players,” said Williams.
This renewed focus is also reflected in the team’s mindset. Williams emphasized their team’s motto and the importance it has for them.
“Our motto, A.I.M., all in mentality, [is] just saying we’re all into the team and our success,” said Williams.
Looking ahead, the team is ambitiously chasing success. Williams expressed his excitement about what is next for the team.
“I’m excited to win some games, I hope we can get a push and really shock the area,” said Williams.
The team spirit extends beyond the field, strengthening bonds among teammates. Junior football player Terrel Lewis noted how their relationships have grown deeper.
“I’d say we’re more connected, because we spend more time together outside of just football now instead of only seeing each other at practices,” said Lewis.
In addition to strengthened connections, the players benefit from a new play style. Lewis commented on the positive impact of the coach’s strategies.
“He’s helping us improve, overall, better schemes and plays that we can run, and he knows the personnel and what we have for the skills,” said Lewis.
With a fresh coach and a renewed mindset, the Clover Hill football team hopes to grow stronger both on and off the field this season.
