2021 Fall Preview: Hollister Football

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By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

Mike Johnson is entering his first season at Hollister as head coach after spending more than two decades coaching in Colorado.

Johnson does have the fortune of spending last year at Hollister as an assistant coach, making the transition that much smoother.

Returning 14 total starters will also help as the Tigers look to build on last year’s 3-7 campaign.

“I think it was very helpful to have a season under my belt as an assistant,” said Johnson. “It really helped me get to know the kids and the staff. I really want to establish accountability and confidence in our kids.”

The strength of Hollister should be line play, where Johnson returns 60 percent of last year’s starting group led by All-Big 8 pick AJ Narvaez.

Narvaez (5-10, 255lbs) will be joined by Isaac Evins (6-1, 320lbs) and Michael Collins (6-2, 260lbs). Silas Woodbury is also back at tight end. All four players will also see defensive line reps.

Boston Huck (6-3, 275lbs) is also vying for playing time on either side of the line.

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Senior Tyler Goebel is back at receiver after tallying 249 receiving yards last season, adding four interceptions defensively. Junior Blake Russell also returns after rushing for 430 yards. Both players received All-Big 8 honors and will also see time in the secondary.

Tristen Parker will also see time at receiver and Isaac Qualls is in the hunt for carries. Both will also play in the defensive backfield. Michael Schultz, Zak Zahner and Colton Hale are bigger, change-of-pace backs that will play linebacker as well.

Qualls finished his junior season with 33 tackles and three interceptions. Schultz is the team’s returning leader in tackles with 56.

Junior Luke Calovich is expected to slide in at quarterback. Johnson is planning on implementing a balanced offense.

“I think you can expect our offense to be very balanced,” said Johnson. “We have experience at our skilled positions. I also think we will rely on our offensive which I think can be dominant. We have a lot of experience up front and we will go as far as they take us on offense.”

Noah Richardson (6-3, 215lbs) and Ryland Franks (6-4, 215lbs) will be size and athleticism on both sides of the ball.

Hollister has seen its defense allow fewer points in each of the last four seasons. Johnson’s challenge will be taking that to the next level in the always loaded and physical Big 8.

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“Our defense will be very aggressive,” said Johnson. “We want to attack our opponents and be very physical. We have a lot of experience up front and in the secondary. We need our linebacking crew to learn fast and play fast.”

Four of Hollister’s six losses last year came by just one possession. As the Tigers continue to hunt for their first season above .500 in program history, Johnson is hopeful he can help create a winning mindset in a program that has seen a lot of losses.

“Each week is a dog fight,” said Johnson. “I expect us to be right there in the mix though. I really feel that our talent is comparable to any of the top teams. You have some very tough teams in Nevada, Monett, and Logan Rogersville to name a few. We need to step on the field knowing that we can beat anybody.

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“For Hollister to compete for a championship will take our team believing in themselves and the man next to them to do the job. We need our confidence high and to get off to a good start. We need some kids to step up at running back and linebackers. We also need to stay healthy.”

Hollister will open the 2021 season at Monett on Aug. 27. The Tigers will host Nevada the following week in their home opener.

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