Terrell Hunt knows he shouldn’t, but he just can’t help himself. The Christ the King quarterback becomes a spectator on occasion when he gives the football to explosive running back Will Hunter.
“Sometimes I hand the ball off and just watch,” Hunt said. “I am supposed to keep running, but I just hand the ball off and watch him.”
What he sees is Hunter’s shiftiness and smarts at attacking the line and following blocks. The three-year varsity player has the ability to precisely read the holes opening and burst through them. If the 5-foot-10, 200-pounder gets free, especially to the outside, he may not be coming back.
“If he gets into the secondary I don’t think anyone is going to catch him,” first-year coach Chris Higgins said.
Hunter and Hunt form a dangerous 1-2 combination that can create a big play at any moment. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound junior is an adept pocket passer who will have plenty of weapons around him. Speedy and athletic, Hunt can make plays with his arm and his legs and is excellent at shedding defenders in the open field.
“He does stuff you don’t see other people do when he breaks tackles,” Hunter said. “I think he is going to run, but he actually throws; when I think he is going to throw then he runs.”
The Royals went 4-6 and lost a wild CHSFL Class A semifinal to Cardinal Spellman last season. They have plenty of weapons back this year in addition to Hunter and Hunt. They include senior Ollie Robinson, and juniors Javon Smyer at wide receiver and Kevin Chin in the backfield. Higgins, who replaces Kevin Kelly, was an assistant coach the past five years and said all three can have big seasons.
Christ the King will need to see its offensive line improve; only Omar Hunter, Will’s younger brother and a starter from last season, returns. With the team’s overall personnel numbers increased this season, up to around 50 players from close to 35 last year, it should allow Higgins to limit those going both ways.
CK’s defense includes a strong core of seniors that could give the Royals a formidable and athletic unit. Returning are linebackers Joe Suppa, Frank Santamaria, Ricky Stallworth and defensive back Tom Fogarty. Higgins said any one of on them can emerge as the defensive leader. Chin and Hunter will also see time in the secondary.
“It’s not easy,” Hunt said about playing against the Royals defense. “They are on you a lot. They won’t let me run.”
Hunt being stopped is something Christ the King is hoping it doesn’t see often. He and Hunter give Higgins as good an offensive duo as any new head coach could ask for.
“Having those two guys is big,” Higgins said. “They were two dangerous players in the league last year. With a year under their belt you expect big things out of them.”