Hobart Goes Coast to Coast to Land Two BIG Linemen

Hello Statesmen fans!

As noted earlier this week, with admissions decisions coming out on 2/15/21 we have a few more announcements with respect to the Hobart Football Class of 2025.

This one has two young men, from opposite sides of the country, calling Hobart their new home. The first is SR DE Josh Cox who hails from Fairburn, just outside of Atlanta, GA. Josh attended Landmark Christian HS and is a tall (6'5") and big (240 lbs.) DL.

He has strong fundamentals and a lot of potential. You can check out his highlight reel here.

Lining up across from Josh in practice will be Sierra Canyon SR OL Elijah "Planet" Christian from all the way out in Southern California. I used to live a few miles away from SC (Chatsworth, CA) and they are one of the premier HSFB programs in all of Los Angeles.

Standing 6'3" and weighing in at 315 lbs. it's pretty easy to see where Elijah got his nickname from. A strong student as well, Christian wants to pursue a career in medicine after college.

While I assume the coaches will look at him for OL, he was also a solid interior DL also. You can see for yourself here.

Please join me in welcoming Josh, Elijah and the extended Cox and Christian families to the Hobart one! I can't wait to see how these smart and capable young men impact the Statesmen program and the broader Geneva community. 

Thanks as always for reading and go 'Bart! 

Verona's Riggio Coming to Hobart

It appears as though we'll be seeing several updates this week on the incoming Hobart Football Class of 2025.

Yesterday, Verona HS (NJ) SR RB and team captain Frank Riggio announced on twitter that he plans to "further [his] academic and athletic career at Hobart College."

A real get by the Statesmen coaching class, Riggio has rushed for over 3,200 in his HS career scoring 53 TDs. He also starred at SS for the "Hillbillies", collecting 2 INTs in his final season.

A shifty, north-south runner, Riggio has speed and strength to repel would be tacklers. You can see his highlight reel here.

A strong student as well, apparently Riggio chose Hobart over schools like Rice and Trinity, according to this article from NJ.com. 

All in all, it sounds like the Statesmen have found a real gem in Riggio. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing how he develops over the next four years at Hobart.

Thanks as always for reading and go 'Bart!

PS - don't forget the SAA / Day of Donors is coming up on 2/24.

Statesmen Go West to Sign a QB Named Colombi - from Colorado

While the HWS and Tampa Bay football community are still basking in the glow of Super Bowl LV, the daily grind of recruiting and building the Class of 2025 hasn't stopped for HC Kevin DeWall '00 and his staff.

The Statesmen's latest get is a rare find from the Rocky Mountains, as Castle View HS SR QB Johnny Colombi (Castle Rock, CO) recently announced via twitter that:

At 6'3" 185 lbs. Colombi is rangy player who has a strong arm, good feet and can deliver the ball from the pocket or on the run. In his final season for CVHS, Johnny threw for nearly 1,100 yards and 14 TDs with a 114 QBR. He's a true student athlete as well, earning a 3.85 GPA.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the Hobart coaching staff develops him over the next few seasons. You can check out Johnny's highlight reel here. 

Please join me in welcoming the Colombi family to the Hobart Football one! 

Thanks as always for reading and go 'Bart!

Marpet, Buccaneers win Super Bowl LV

What a night.

Now the highest draft pick out of D3 can add "Super Bowl Champion" to his resume.

In what's been one of the strangest NFL seasons ever, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defied the odds, upsetting the defending champion Chiefs, 31-9.

I couldn't be happier for Ali and the extended Marpet and Hobart families. 

Marpet '15 is Heading to the Super Bowl!

In one of the most incredible NFL playoff runs in history, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers became the first team in pro football history to earn their way to the Super Bowl in their home city. They upset the #1 seeded Green Bay Packers, 31-26, to win the NFC Championship last night.

It's been an amazing run for Hobart Football alum Ali Marpet '15, who endured four losing seasons in his six season pro career before punching his ticket to the ultimate game. Maybe it was Tom Brady, maybe it's just destiny that a former #55 ends up playing in Super Bowl LV?!?!

Either way, we couldn't be happier for Ali and his teammates for this incredible achievement. You can see the HWSAthletics.com press release here.

How it started:

How it's going:

Super Bowl LV is scheduled for Sunday, February 7th with around a 6:40 PM ET kickoff.

Go Ali! Go Bucs! Go Bart!

Big Man from Western Mass Signs with Statesmen

Berkshire School PG TE/WR/DE Luke Hescock posted on his twitter feed today that he is "Excited for the next 4!" in a tweet declaring his commitment to Hobart College.

A tall and long target, 6'5" and 215 lbs., Hescock has some good genes and should fill into his big frame in college much like older brother and Orlando-based, UCF SR TE, Jake. 

Prior to attending Berkshire, Hescock starred as a TE/DE at Wahconah Regional HS (Dalton, MA). You can check out his offensive and defensive highlights in the attached links. Earning multiple FB awards, he also played on the varsity basketball team his entire HS career.

Please join me in welcoming Luke and the extended Hescock family to the Statesmen one!

Thanks for reading and go 'Bart! 

Marpet '15 is One Game Away from the Super Bowl!

After struggling through three losing seasons, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are heading to the NFC Championship game! It what has been an incredible turnaround story, Ali Marpet '15 and the Bucs defeated their division rivals, the New Orleans Saints, last Sunday night, 30-20.

QB Tom Brady made some key throws and the Bucs defense forced multiple turnovers to give Tampa a shot at the #1 seeded Green Bay Packers this Sunday afternoon.

It's been an exciting run for the Bucs and their fans and Ali has certainly been a big part of it. Named as an All Pro by Pro Football Focus, Marpet has had an outstanding season as one of the NFL's top OL.

While the Bucs will once again be road underdogs going up against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, Tampa did give Green Bay their worst loss of the season, a 38-10 drubbing, back in Week 6.

Here's hoping that Marpet, Brady and the Bucs have one more trick up their collective sleeves to return back to Tampa to prepare for Super Bowl LIV!

Go Bucs! Go Bart!