Hancock is 3-0 for the first time since 2019 thanks to the play of this unstoppable duo

Dylan Moran and the team he leads do not need any reinforcements.

Neil Lollar’s offense at Hancock has been a work in progress over the last couple of years, but the maturation of his quarterback and a unit that has played together for a half-decade now is starting to see the dividends of their gradual progression.

The Hawks are off to a blistering 3-0 start for the first time since 2019 and have scored more points through those first three contests than any previous Hancock — or Hancock North Central — team had before.

No imports or sparkplugs were inserted to help the Hawks score at least 40 points in wins over Natchez, Moss Point and St. Martin. The maturation of the senior Moran at quarterback has lifted the entire offense to a new form.

“He’s able to see things moving at a normal pace instead of real quick,” Lollar, now in his seventh season as head coach, said about his quarterback. “Everything’s not a blur to him. I think that’s the key. Three years into our system, he’s done a real good job of being able to expand it with his play and being able to take advantage of what other teams are giving him.”

Moran has been one of the Coast’s top quarterbacks up to this point, throwing for 564 yards with an impressive 10-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Those 10 scoring tosses have been distributed to five different players. Neil Acker and Kaleb Shaefer have caught three each to lead the team.

“We’re watching film, analyzing stuff and understanding stuff a lot better,” Moran said. “We’re just firing on all cylinders.”

Balanced attack

Another benefactor to the Hawks’ efficient attack has been running back Zach Gullung. The senior was already the Coast’s leading returning rusher, but a wide-open passing game has made life even easier for him.

He’s improved his yards per carry and yards per game numbers to 8.6 and 138.3, respectively. Gullung has already found the end zone six times after rushing for 13 scores in 12 games a year ago.

“Zach has been a warrior for us for years, we know he’s going to get his as long as he continues to play at the speed he plays at,” Lollar said. “Dylan expands the offense to where Zach gets a little less pressure inside. People can’t load the box up on us and stop Zach. They can’t widen out and take away the pass, either. We’re fortunate enough to have some dynamic guys on the outside catching the football.”

Gullung needed just 10 carries to reach 143 yards in last week’s win over the Yellow Jackets. Gullung attributes his and his offense’s success to the experience his unit has together.

According to Lollar, many of the key figures within the Hawks offense have been playing together since seventh grade.

“We have better chemistry through everybody,” Gullung said. “We had another whole year to work together, another offseason. Everybody improved in every aspect.”

The growth of Lollar’s offense has allowed his staff to expand the playbook. Moran’s study habits in the film room have opened up what the Hawks can do and the results have been noticeable in the early going.

The road ahead in Hancock’s new-look district is still long and arduous. Following tough non-district games against Petal and Vancleave, the Hawks have both Pascagoula and Picayune on the road.

In fact, seven of the team’s 11 games this season are away from home. Luckily for Lollar, this team was built for the road. The Hawks were 5-2 in away games a season ago and just 1-4 at home.

Because Hancock found so much success on the road, Lollar had the team take an hour-long bus ride before the playing-clinching and lone home win over Harrison Central.

“This group, along with last year’s group, they do a good job not just preparing to travel, but also with the travel aspect of it,” Lollar said. “They have a mindset where they know they only get a few opportunities to play.”

The Hawks will need another strong season on the road to attain their goals, which don’t stop at reaching the playoffs.

Hancock hasn’t won a playoff game since 2017 and hasn’t claimed a district title since 1989.

“Nobody can get complacent, that’s the most important thing,” Moran said. “The expectation (before the season) is to win a district championship and I don’t think that’s changed. That’s the goal.”

The Hawks face Petal on the road this week with their unblemished record on the line. Hancock returns home against Florence on Sept. 29.