Delaware Hayes football program building bonds, tradition under new coach Ryan Montgomery
A historical marker identifying the birthplace of Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th president of the United States, sits in front of a gas station on William Street on the way into the city of Delaware.
About 1.5 miles away on Euclid Avenue, at the president’s namesake high school, first-year football coach Ryan Montgomery has created a way to honor both Hayes and a member of his team.
“We gave out the No. 19 jersey this year as a new tradition for Hayes being the 19th president,” Montgomery said. “It’s to our guy that signifies (someone who does) everything right in the community, in the classroom and is a leader.”
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Senior linebacker Lucas Dotson was awarded the jersey just before the start of what looks like a bounce-back season for the Pacers, who equaled last year's win total by winning their first three games.
“(Dotson) didn’t miss a single workout in the offseason (and) really bought in in January when we took over the program,” Montgomery said. “He was the one that got voted by the coaches.”
Dotson was taken aback by the honor.
“It’s pretty huge for me to be honest,” said Dotson, who wore No. 45 last season. “It’s a new tradition and huge change from last year. It signifies a step in the right direction for me. Having a new coach, (Montgomery) takes pride in our school and what it stands for. He acknowledges our work in the classroom and on the field and it’s a huge honor (that) he recognizes my growth from last year.”
It’s purely coincidental that Ethan Tucky wore the number before graduating early, in December 2015, and moving on to Boston College and then Cincinnati. Tucky returned to Delaware last season as a linebackers coach and has added special teams to his responsibilities this year.
“Ethan Tucky wore the number because he was a Bernie Kosar fan, even though I’m pretty sure he wasn’t old enough to ever watch Bernie Kosar,” Montgomery said, laughing. “But I think it was his dad’s favorite player. It makes it nice having a guy (like Tucky) that set the standard of being No. 19. So, (using it) worked out well for us.”
Montgomery was an assistant at Delaware for 10 years, including the past four as defensive coordinator. He instituted other changes in an effort to bring the players together.
“He’s always been that enthusiastic person at practice,” Dotson said. “But for a lot of the guys, we’ve also had him (as a social studies teacher) outside of football. He’s a favorite teacher, a fun guy (and) easy to talk to.
“He’s used his connection with the guys to bring each other together and include everyone. Over the summer, he had leadership meetings to teach it and emphasize it. Anyone can be a leader, but it takes everyone to step up. He can only do so much. It takes the players to push what he’s trying to represent.”
The 5-foot-10, 205-pound Dotson spent time in the weight room − and at the kitchen table − in the offseason to bulk up.
“We got a new strength coach, Travis (Roberson), and he’s helped me in the weight room a ton,” Dotson said. “Since last March, I’ve gained about 50 pounds and all of my lifting has improved greatly. I’ve settled down a little bit and cut a little bit of that fat off. ... I just ate a lot of food and (Roberson) would tell me what to do (in the weight room). Consistent work is all it took.”
Dotson has 17 tackles as part of a strong linebacking unit that includes classmates Joe Moose (14 tackles, 1 tackle for loss), Sawyer Sand (16 tackles, 5 tackles for loss) and Andon Wheeler (11 tackles, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery) as well as junior Logan Frye (29 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble).
Justin Malivuk has returned as defensive coordinator after spending four seasons with Olentangy Orange. Malivuk was Delaware’s co-acting head coach with Ed Golden for the final six games in 2016 when coach Mike Golden took a leave of absence after being diagnosed with throat and lung cancer.
Delaware allows 14.5 points per game, which includes a 34-14 loss at Big Walnut on Sept. 9 in its OCC-Capital Division opener. The Pacers, who went 3-8 last season, are 3-1 entering their home game Sept. 16 against Westerville North.
“(Malivuk) places a huge emphasis on knowing how to do certain (things), but also why we do (them),” Dotson said. “So, it’s really easy for the defense to (follow) his lead (because) he knows what he’s doing.”
Depth is important with the linebacking unit as Sand also is a key player in the running game, rushing 23 times for 99 yards and a team-leading three touchdowns.
“I think defense and offense are complementing each other really well,” senior H-back Kaden Gannon said. “We’ve been playing well together and everyone is really supportive and cohesive.”
Juniors Gavin Brinkmoeller (26 carries, 146 yards) and Josh Russell (37 carries, 175 yards, 1 touchdown) have been Delaware’s main ball-carriers.
But it’s the passing game that’s really taken off. Junior Jake Lowman is 52-for-96 for 785 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions.
Classmate Austin Koslow leads the Pacers with 15 receptions for 288 yards and four touchdowns, and Gannon has 14 catches for 199 yards and three scores.
“We’re making a big effort to be connected throughout all of the football programs, whether it’s varsity guys going out and watching (junior varsity) or freshman games after practice or going to middle school games or (refereeing) flag football games,” Gannon said. “(We’re) trying to make all of Delaware football connected. There’s a buzz inside of Hayes and it’s really exciting. I can’t explain it because it’s never happened before. But whatever is going on really feels special.”
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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Football program rebounding at Delaware Hayes High School
