Bart Goes Big with New Canaan's Erickson

NCAdvertiser.com's Dave Stewart reports that New Canaan High School (CT) SR OL Bobby Erickson will enroll at Hobart.  The 6'5" 310 tackle was a second team CT All Fairfield County East player in the 2012 season, helping the Rams to a 9-3 overall record, including an appearance in the Class L state semifinals.

A link to the article can be found here.

Clearly Erickson is blessed with size and I am sure that Coaches Fisk and DeWall will develop Bobby's strength and blocking / footwork.  Erickson didn't visit Hobart until late in his college search but once he did, Bobby quickly committed to become a Statesman.  In his own words:

“Once I got there, I got there and I stepped on the campus — everyone talks about that feel[ing] you get,” he said. “I belong here, I like it here, and you just know. I got that feeling early on.”

In spite of his size (only two other players are the current roster over 300 lbs), he'll have a good deal of competition given Hobart's depth at the OL position.  The Statesmen boast 13 returning OL players on the current roster, including four starters from last year's historic 12-1 team.

Please join me in welcoming Bobby (a fellow CT kid) to Hobart.  Have a great Memorial Day Weekend.  We'll be back to tracking incoming recruits in early June. 

Go 'Bart!

Another Cragg is Coming to Hobart

The Corry Journal reports that Corry High School (PA) SR RB/DB Matt Cragg will attend Hobart this fall and play football for his uncle and Statesmen Head Coach Mike Cragg.

Matt set several records for the Beavers in the 2012 season.  He scored an impressive 28 TDs and racked up 1,668 rushing yards (151 YPG average).  The 5' 9" 160 lb Cragg will likely play DB and on special teams.

Link to the Journal article can be found here.

Please join me in welcoming Matt to Hobart.  Go Bart!

Your Team Captains for the 2013 Campaign

Happy Monday everyone.  I hope everybody made sure to spend time, call, thank and/or hug their Mom yesterday.

We have more incoming recruit news "comin atcha" later this week but here's an important update from Coach Cragg from yesterday.  In an email addressed to the "Hobart Football Family", Cragg recapped spring practice and the Block H awards before providing the team's choices for team captains for the 2013 season.

From his email:

L-R: Ali Marpet, Mike Green, Steven Webb, Tom Elder, Devin Worthington, Jolyon Davis

"The 2013 team has elected six captains for the upcoming campaign. 

Jolyon Davis, senior free safety – Jolyon was an All-League selection in 2012 and has been the quarterback for our defense for the past two seasons. He is our strongest defensive back and a tireless worker on and off the field. 

Tom Elder, senior inside linebacker – Tom is a passionate vocal leader. He is a three-year letterman and he is coming off his best season as a Statesman with 33 tackles in 2012.

Mike Green, senior center – Mike is a two-year letterman and a returning starter from the 2012 offensive line that led the conference in fewest sacks allowed. He was a Liberty League All Academic selection in 2011 and an Academic All-American in 2012.

Ali Marpet, junior left tackle – Ali is a dedicated worker and one of our strongest offensive linemen. He was a first team All-League selection this past fall and a letterman in both of his first two seasons as a Statesman.

Steven Webb, senior running back – Steven has led our team in rushing over the past three seasons, with a career high in 2012 of 1,242 rushing yards and 12 rushing TDs. He has been a three time first team All Liberty League selection and an All-ECAC selection in 2012.

Devin Worthington, senior outside linebacker – Devin has been a three year starter and a three time first team All-Liberty League selection. He was selected as a member of the D3football.com All-East team in 2010 and 2011, as well as achieving All-American honors this past fall.

We are looking forward to what these guys bring to the table as leaders. They have had the opportunity to learn from a great group of captains and seniors over the past several seasons. It is time for these six captains to add their brick to our foundation and take the next step in our program’s development.

Spring ball was full of growth and development for this team. We will have several new faces on the field in the fall and those guys gained invaluable experience over the past five weeks. Defensively, we worked on a few new schemes and the team got acclimated to working with Coach Nick Grange. Offensively, our young quarterbacks had the opportunity to compete against one of the premier defenses in the country on a daily basis. Many lessons were learned and our offense started to form its identity for the 2013 season.

It has been an exciting year and I could not be more thankful for the support of our fans, alumni, parents, and the HWS community. We look forward to what 2013 holds and we are blessed for what 2012 has brought us. August is only a few months away and football will be back on The Boz!

With every step we take, we put our opponents further in our rearview mirror!!!

GO BART!"

Congratulations to these student leaders.  Go 'Bart!

LaSalle Speedster Smith Selects Hobart

LaSalle Institute's (Troy, NY) SR WR/DB Gabriel "Gabe" Smith is coming to Hobart.  The three year starter made headlines throughout the 2012 season for his big play ability in the Capital District. The Cadets struggled to a 3-5 record in NYS Section 2AA (also, somewhat ironically referred to as the Liberty League) but had some memorable moments last fall.

One big win in particular involved a comeback over rival Troy High that was sparked by Smith returning an interception for 73 yards on defense and then catching what proved to be the winning TD a few plays later on offense late in the second half.  A recap of the win (including a video interview with Smith) is covered here:

Troy Record Article on LaSalle's 14-7 win over Troy

Smith has good size at 5' 11" 175 lbs and comes across as an articulate and confident young man.  The Statesmen have a large number of WR's coming back to camp but it's unclear whether or not a true "deep threat" resides in that group other than rising SR WR Yosh Karbowniczak.

Smith's highlight reel can be found here.

I have to say I always like to see the Statesmen getting players from RPI and Union's backyard and Smith looks like he's got potential.  With no #2 currently on Hobart's roster, my guess is we'll see Smith in that number come September.

Please join me in welcoming Gabe to the Statesmen Football family.  Go Bart!

FL's Kirsche to Kick for Hobart

Jen Blanco of YourObserver.com reports that Out of Door Academy's (Lakewood Ranch, FL) SR PK Sean Kirsche is heading north to compete for a spot on the Hobart Football team as a kicker.  This is the second signing of a kicker by the Statesmen including Ethan Miller of VA (see post from 4/15/13).

Kirsche is 5' 9" and 155 lbs but sports a big leg and has trained at several kicking camps including Kohl's Pro Kicking Camp.  Kirsche's recruiting profile and highlight reel can be accessed here.

Kirsche was named to the Class 2A All State 2nd team at ODA last season.  His younger brother, Bryan, earned first team honors as a punter. 

Sean's personal statement on the NCSA recruiting website states: 

"After completing a 2011 season with 38 of 44 PAT attempts, 30+ yard field goals and one 25 yard field goal, I began this year with making all 3 of 3 PAT attempts and one 50 yard field goal off the ground with 1.3 seconds left on the clock. I am ready to continue to break all my high school records. I have attended multiple kicking camps over this past summer, which has helped me hone my kick offs from the 2 yard line to now sending them in for touchbacks. My personal best field goal during practice is a 64 yarder off the ground. As I gain strength through conditioning, I will beat my personal records this year. I attend Out-of- Door Academy, a Cum Laude School in Sarasota, Florida. I look forward to studying International Business in college."

Please join me in welcoming Sean to Hobart.  Go 'Bart!