Hornets show team pride and leadership
Martin Couch Sports editor

TOUGH HORNETS MARTIN COUCH PHOTO Hunter McNeil, Chad Hinson and Nick Chapdelaine are three of the linemen for the Hornets. McNeil is a starting guard, Hinson is the captain of the offensive line at center and Chapdelaine is a back-up defensive end. All three are senior leaders for the Hornets this season.

Bryant seniors Chad Hinson, Nick Chapdelaine and Hunter McNeil are three examples of Hornet leadership on and off the field.

All being physical specimens of intense weight lifting and constant conditioning through years of working in the Bryant football program, these three individuals take the true meaning of being a Hornet to a new level on the football field.

"My role is to make sure all the offensive line calls are made and make sure everyone is where they need to be, so they can do what they're suppose to do," said senior starting center Chad Hinson, who started playing football in the eight grade at Bryant. "I think we have a good shot at going all the way. We've got a good team and hopefully we can keep our heads up and play it one week at a time."

Hinson is the captain of the Hornets offensive line and has plans of going to college to major in criminal justice. While he's working towards his personal goal, he makes sure justice is served on Bryant's opposing defense each game.

"I grew up in Bryant and I'd have to say this is one of the best teams to come through here," Hinson said.

"Coach [Paul] Calley has been my main coach and he's taught me what I know. He's made me tough. Playing center is a good way to let your aggressions out."

Hinson knows that being a Hornet means pride, a winning tradition and dedication.

"Being the starting center really means a lot to me, because there are so many who want to be a part of the football team who really can't do it and there's some who have the heart to play, but not the athletic abil- ity," Hinson said.

Defenisve tackle Nick Chapdelaine grew up in Boston before moving to Bryant.

"My family moved here when I was six and when I started watching the Hornets play, whether they were up or down, I always pulled for them," he said. "I started playing football in the eighth grade and I love the game."

Chapdelaine is a secondstring defensive player, but can do the job when called upon.

"You have to break down the film and watch for key things from the offensive line," he said. "Certain linemen like to hang back on pass plays or sometimes they lean forward on running plays. There are lot of keys you can pick up on that can help for an upcoming game."

Chapdelaine is an example of Hornet pride when he's around campus.

"Considering I never played football before I joined in the eighth grade, I was taught everything about football and started when I was in ninth grade - we won a conference championship," he said. "Coach [Brad] Stroud has been amazing. He's taught me everything there is to know about the defensive line. He was a four-year starter he and he has the blanket to prove it. He knows his stuff."

Starting 6-0-1 is a record that Chapdelaine wasn't surprised to see at this point in the season.

"This year, we're off to a pretty good start," he said. "We've beaten the teams we need to beat and we've played tough with the teams we need to play tough with. We've got three regular season games left and we're in a good position to make the playoffs. If we can maintain the first seed, we're going to be tough at home. I feel bad for any team that has to come play us at Hornets' Stadium."

Hunter McNeil is a starting left guard for the Hornets this year. His role is to protect quarterback Logan Parker and listen to the callls from Hinson on the line.

"Chad is the captain of the offensive line and I listen to what he tells us to do," McNeil said. "I expect us to go all the way and win state maybe. Hopefully we'll win a conference championship along the way."

McNeil moved to Bryant when he was six also and didn't start football until his eighth grade year.

"This is my first season to start," he said. "We pull together as a team good, but Logan Cruse is our big leader. He gets everybody pumped up and the coaches are good teachers. If we do something wrong, they work with us to get it right."

Being a Hornets is first and foremost on the mind of McNeil on and off the football field.

"It means everything to me to be a Hornet," he said. "Just to know that I'm on the field that only a few us can be on is defi- nitely something special. We have a pretty good attitude anc come out focused for practice every day. We're 100 percent focused on game days."