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Eighth-graders will be eligible to join the freshman team with their conditioning practices beginning at 3:15 p.m. Aug. 6.
"I feel good about what we've done this summer," Hawkins said. "We got a lot of our offense put in."
Hawkins replaces Cameron Brooks, who went 4-7 his only year at the helm as the Mustangs lost their final five games.
The new coach said his first task is to develop depth as five to seven players may see action on both sides of the ball.
"If they're in shape enough to go both ways and they're our best players, they'll be on the field," he said.
Conditioning will be among the top priorities for Hawkins.
"We've got some kids who are not in very good shape," he said. "Fundamentals will also be something I stress."
The new coach was a Mustang football assistant from 1990-99 but was not involved with the sport last year.
"I don't know a whole lot about our kids or anybody else's, but that may be a good thing," he said. "We'll go with a fresh, clean look."
SM will scrimmage West Henderson at home Aug. 17 in a game-type situation. A "practice-type scrimmage" with Tuscola is planned for Aug. 14, also at Carr Hooper Stadium/Babe Howell Field.
The regular season will open Aug. 24 at home against Pisgah. Ironically, that's the last team the Mustangs defeated.
Hawkins indicated junior Jared Day, who is coming up from the JVs, is the likely quarterback.
"Jared throws the ball well, but we're not just going to go out and throw it 35 times a game," the coach said. "We've got four or five kids who can run and catch it."
Senior Dustin Melton will be at tailback. He will run behind an offensive line that includes senior returnees Andrew Maney, Daniel Vreeland and Nathan Woods. Senior Josh Day, last year's tight end, may be moved to fullback.
Defensive returnees include seniors Steven Fitzgerald, Matt Nicholson and Josh Day on the line and senior free safety Tony Belcher. Day could shift to linebacker while Fitzgerald and Belcher could see action on offense as a lineman and tight end, respectively.
Hawkins is holding activities each evening this week to help the team bond. A cookout Friday will culminate the week.
After going 1-5 and finishing next to last in the Western Athletic Conference, the Mustangs will move into the Mountain Athletic Conference. Hawkins said Asheville and Erwin figure to be the teams to beat with Tuscola and Enka fielding improved squads.
Assisting Hawkins on the varsity will be Joe Smith (defensive coordinator and secondary), Stacy Buchanan (defensive ends and running backs), Josh Parris (offensive and defensive lines) and Jamie Extine (quarterbacks and wide receivers).
Hawkins will coordinate the offense and coach linebackers.
Dennis Proffitt will be head JV coach. He will be assisted by Mark Taylor and Josh Carnes.
The freshman team will be coached by Bill Rice. Chuck Patterson will help him, and at least one more coach is expected to be named an assistant.
The schedule is as follows:
August
24 - Pisgah
31 - at Swain
September
7 - Hayesville
14 - at Asheville
21 - North Buncombe
28 - at East Henderson
October
5 - Tuscola
12 - at Erwin
26 - Franklin
November
2 - at Roberson
9 - Enka
The JV schedule is as follows:
August
30 - Franklin
September
6 - Mitchell
13 - Asheville
20 - at North Buncombe
27 - East Henderson
October
4 - at Tuscola
11 - Erwin
25 - at Franklin
November
1 - Roberson
8 - at Enka
The schedule for the freshman team is as follows:
August
30 - Andrews
September
6 - Swain
13 - at Cherokee
20 - at Hayesville
27 - at Murphy
October
4 - Robbinsville
11 - at Rosman
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