The 2020 season started out a bit rocky for the Hillsboro Hawks, but they managed to turn things around in the second half. First-year Head Coach Bill Sucharski appeared to push a lot of the right buttons and is a natural at getting maximum work ethic out of his players. Thanks to his leadership and ability to motivate, the future in Hillsboro looks like a bright one for the Hawks. Ameritime Sports had a chance to catch up with Coach Sucharski and asked him five burning questions about the season ahead and navigating a difficult schedule in a perennially tough division.
1. The 2020 season was your first as the Head Coach of the Hawks. Were there any memorable takeaways from your inaugural campaign?
“With regards to the 2020 season I think perhaps the most important take away was how our kids battled every week, especially with the uncertainty of everything due to covid. I never had to question our kids’ effort and was very proud of how our Seniors handled everything.”
2. Hillsboro turned it on after week 3 last season and finished strong in the second half. Were there specific adjustments you made to right the ship, or did things just sort of come together as you all became more comfortable as a unit?
“There were not any specific adjustments. We played 2 good football teams the first 2 weeks and playing what I would say was the best team (Jackson) in the entire state helped prepare us for the rest of the season.”
3. Each season every schedule is difficult in its own way, and every team is a threat, but are there any standout games in 2021 that will pose a significant challenge?
“We have Jackson again week 2 and they have proven to be a top program in the state. North County and Festus in our Conference are always tough games. Couple that with a good Northwest team week 1 and ending the regular season with Borgia and Poplar Bluff makes for what I feel is a tough schedule.”
4. What are your expectations for this 2021 season, and do you envision success in a tough and competitive division?
“We always expect to compete for a Conference and District championships and those expectations never change from season to season.”
5. Being from Hillsboro but also coaching at other schools, how instrumental is the Hillsboro community in what Hawks Football accomplishes as a program? Is there anything that sets the Hawks Football fans apart from any other schools?
“Our community is awesome, our parent organization does multiple things to help our program and we have always had great support throughout the year. I am extremely proud to be an alum of Hillsboro and this is a great community to be a part of.”
A solid community having your back and maximum effort from your student athletes goes a long way. In tandem with a talented, hometown Head Coach like Sucharski, the Hawks should be poised to make some noise this season. Look for this team to improve on last year’s record and ride the momentum of that second-half push into 2021.
Good luck, Coach. And good luck to your Hawks.
