CADIZ — The 2023 season turned into a memorable one for head coach Anthony Hayes, his Harrison Central High School football team and the community at large.

The Huskies finished with a 9-3 record, having not only hosted, but having won their first playoff game — a 40-10 win over Triway.

A small, but talented, senior class departed, leaving behind some pretty big holes to fill, including that of a three-year starter at quarterback with the departure of Hayden Cassidy.

“We had a small senior class, but a good senior class and they set a good example,” head coach Anthony Hayes offered.

This year’s senior class is similar, in size and talent. There’s a total of six seniors. But included in that mixture are All-Ohio players and multi-year letterwinners Mykel Quito and Cam McAfee, along with three-year letterwinner Blake Atkins and two-year letterman Landen Thomas. Markus Hilbert and E.J. Keener rounds out the senior class, and both are expected to contribute.

Then there’s the junior class, some 16 players strong and loaded with talent across the board. Those who had limited playing time learned quickly that it’s their turn to play “next man up” and continue the momentum of success that the program has experienced under Hayes’ guidance.

“Things are going well. They’ve been working hard and are a joy to be around,” Hayes said. “There’s a lot of youth, but they are starting to realize the days of being young and inexperienced are over. They need to step up and be the guy.”

Coach Anthony Hayes discusses the upcoming season

The first guy who will need to step up is whoever is tasked with running the offense. Hayes admitted he’s been lucky at the position.

In six seasons as head coach, he’s used only two starters — Kobie Mitchell for three and, most recently, Cassidy for the last three.

That now turns to a number of possibilities. Junior Brady Hyre (6-foot-4) has the size to stand tall in the pocket. He’s been splitting snaps with sophomore Gage Stoneking (5-10, 175 pounds) while Hayes also is toying with using McAfee and Atkins to take advantage of their varied skill sets.

“We try to tell our kids, just be you, the best version of you. I didn’t expect Hayden to be Kobie and I don’t expect whoever starts to be Hayden,” Hayes admitted. “We don’t put pressure on our guys. We want to take it off and play to their strengths. It also helps that we have three good running backs back there to lighten the load.”

Mykel Quito returns at running back as one of the Ohio Valley’s premier offensive weapons. McAfee and Atkins are no slouches, either, and are capable of churning up yardage in the running and passing games.

Their presence, along with a sizable, if slightly green, offensive line, will help alleviate the pressure of the new starter behind center.

Harrison lost three starters from 2023 — two to graduation, one in Reed Arbaugh, who opted not to come out.

Hayes wished him the best but admitted he’d like to have the experienced Arbaugh on the field. Returning are Dylan Walters (6-8, 370) and Jaden Harris (5-10, 215) who split time a season ago.

Thomas returns with junior Nathan Dulkoski (6-0, 245) slotted in the middle at center.

Austin Lucas (5-10, 205), Gavin Cole (6-0, 265) and Hilbert are in the mix for the offensive line rotation, as is promising freshman Hunter Snyder (5-11, 205).

Harrison features some skill on the perimeter, led by the diminutive McAfee, along with a sizable target in Kayne Dunkle (6-3, 175) and the speedy Jacob Quito, who made a name for himself during a successful track season.

Zander Stabile, Colten Rutter and Brennan Engstrom provide additional solid options at receiver.

On the defensive side, a solid defensive line will be led by Thomas and Mykel Quito, with Jaden Harris, Walters, Snyder and Dulkoski providing support on the interior of the front wall. Keener and Jace Hython also will see time up front.

The second level features returners Nico Warsham and Atkins, along with the younger Quito, who’s making the move from safety to outside backer after adding size to his speed.

Michael Stock and another promising freshman in Olin Wade will vie for playing time at linebacker.

A talented secondary returns intact, led by McAfee and Dunkle, along with Chaz Culbertson and Hyre.

Beau Rinkes, Engstrom and Stabile will see time in the defensive backfield.

Newcomer Noah Thaxton will be featured as the team’s placekicker and Hayes is encouraged by Thaxton’s potential, feeling he could be a good one.

The Huskies certainly aren’t shying away from competition, adding perennial regional power Fort Frye to their schedule.

It’s a program Harrison scrimmaged in the past, but Hayes opted to add the Cadets to the card.

“Coach (Eric) Huck does an outstanding job,” Hayes said of the Fort Frye mentor. “Our schedule is very tough, but we’ve been preparing for it and we’ll do our best and let the chips fall where they may.”

That’s what Hayes and his staff are trying to implement in Cadiz, preparing their players — not just for football, but more important, for life.

Hayes isn’t trying to just build better football players, but better people. The success is a byproduct of that dedication and hard work.

“Everybody talks about success, but what we really try to do is talk to them about good character and developing these young men into men who can handle themselves as an adult and be accountable,” Hayes said.

Given Harrison’s recent successes, that strategy appears to be working.