Hixson High's Myles Ratliff watches from the sideline during the Wildcats' 7-0 loss to Tyner in this past weekend's jamboree outing. The senior, who goes on both sides of the ball, looks for a "go big or go home" season this year. “Myles plays hard and is a great kid who’s good at both positions,” Head coach Dan Duff said without reservation of Ratliff..
photo by Dennis Norwood/File Photo
Last year was not a very good year for the Hixson football team.
Dan Duff returned as the head coach two years ago and the Wildcats responded with a 9-3 record as they advanced to the second round of the TSSAA playoffs.
But things didn’t go so well last fall as the Wildcats had a tough season, losing the first six games en route to a less-than-pleasing 2-8 record.
Another season is upon us and the Wildcats have gone back to the drawing board in hopes of getting things back on track.
Myles Ratliff is one of 15 seniors on the Hixson roster. One of his main goals is to help the Wildcats win more football games and to be a positive leader for his teammates.
Ratliff plays on both sides of the ball.
Last year he rushed for almost 1,000 yards and scored 10 touchdowns from his running back position and he was an anchor as a linebacker for the Hixson defense.
But this is his last season to play and he’s hoping to make the best of his opportunity.
“I prefer to play running back as I like scoring touchdowns and looking pretty,” the 17-year-old son of Bridgette and Dexter Ratliff said one day last week before an afternoon practice began.
“We have better leaders this year and we’re making it more about the team, but that’s one of the things I’m focused on as we have to set the example for the younger guys.
“We’ve come a long way since last year and we’ll be alright. Our defense is coming together. I didn’t play much on defense last year, but I have a big role as I have to contain the other team’s quarterback.
“We’ll win some games this fall, but it’s a go big or go home season for me,” the stocky six-foot, 225-pound athlete added.
Caleb Collier is the new defensive coordinator after coaching at Rhea County last year. Former DC Charles Weems has moved over to Red Bank to join Chad Grabowski’s staff, so Collier got the opportunity and has been on the job just over a month.
He knows that his job will be challenging as he must find replacements for eight starters who have moved on, but he likes the idea of having a player like Ratliff to build things around.
“Myles is tough and he’ll hit you on both sides of the ball,” Collier began.
“He’s a load, but a very easy young man to coach. He’s smart and has the right angles and he’ll be one of my anchors on defense. He brings it on every play and a real joy to coach as he’s a very respectable young man.
“We’ll be young in the secondary as we only have three returning starters on defense. There are guys who will have to step up and Myles will be a big part of that, but they want to learn and they’ve been flying to the ball.
“Myles understands game speed and he’s really quick for his size, but he’s a true football player who takes care of business,” Collier added.
Coach Duff knows that a lot of small pieces have to fall into place for the football fortunes to turn around at Hixson. He’s confident that guys like Myles Ratliff is capable of helping things get better in a hurry.
“Myles plays hard and is a great kid who’s good at both positions,” Duff said without reservation.
“He’s a good linebacker and he likes to look good, but he’s got to help us on both sides this fall. Last year was his first year to start, but he’s really strong and he leads by example.
“Most folks didn’t know who he was last year, but I love having him on my team. He has really good skills as he can run and block. He also has good hands. He’s not the fastest guy on the team, but his first few steps are really quick.
“We need to find a way to win the close games and he should be able to help with that, but we have three tough ones to start with,” Duff concluded in reference to the upcoming schedule.
The Wildcats jump right into the fire with tough competition Friday night when they host the Marion County Warriors, a state runner-up the last two years.
Away games at Walker Valley and Stone Memorial follow before three straight home games against East Hamilton, East Ridge and Cumberland County.
All the pre-season hype is over and it’s time to get down to business.
Hixson’s Myles Ratliff is ready to get started.
(email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)