OTTAWA HILLS, OH (WTOL) - The big story in Ottawa Hills this football season is the return of Chris Hardman. He had been the head football coach for 16 years, but stepped down when he retired as a teacher of the system.
After four years away, however still coaching Green Bears baseball, Hardman is happy to be back prowling the sidelines.
"I'm not burned out at all. I watched four years of great coaching in northwest Ohio, and great teams. I'm excited to be back in Ottawa Hills with these kid. Very little has changed," said Hardman.
The Green Bears were Toledo Area Athletic Conference (TAAC) co-champs last year, but graduated all their key players.
"The key to our season will be how quickly our inexperience becomes experience," said Hardman.
With 29 kids in the program, there's no such things as freshman or junior varsity. They're all varsity.
One of their key players is Gr ant Davis. He was All-TAAC as a freshman.
He has outstanding size for a sophomore and anchors the offensive and defensive lines.
"I like the potential we have. We have a lot of young players that are learning. We're looking forward to a lot of them stepping up and having a big roll," said Davis.
The Green Bears will also feature a first year starter at QB. Matthew McGee is just a sophomore.
A great athlete, he placed in the final eight in the state tennis championships as a freshman.
"It's not so much about the winning or losing. Obviously that's a priority, but as long as everyone's doing their best. The atmosphere is great here. We're all trying our hardest, and we're all trying to get better," said McGee.
The Green Bears open their season at home with Lima Perry.
