Herbert Hoover offensive linemen Mighty Lopez (51) and Ethan Patrick (52) look to their coaches for signals during a high school football game against Weir on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in Weirton.
Herbert Hoover offensive linemen Mighty Lopez (51) and Ethan Patrick (52) look to their coaches for signals during a high school football game against Weir on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in Weirton.
The offense for Herbert Hoover’s football team gets much of the attention for the Huskies’ success.
Behind quarterback Dane Hatfield, who has rushed for 2,097 yards this season and scored 37 touchdowns, and Blake Fisher, who will enter Saturday’s Class AAA state championship game against Bridgeport at University of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Stadium at Laidley Field just shy of 1,000 rushing yards this season, that attention is understood and deserved.
However, the Huskies’ defense this season has been just as instrumental in leading Herbert Hoover (13-0) to within one win of a title.
While the defensive side of the ball involves many of the same leaders making plays as the offense, senior Ethan Patrick has been a disruptive force for coach Joey Fields’ defense.
“That’s a kid that came in as a quarterback that moved to wide receiver, because of Dane,†Fields said. “Defensive line, offensive line, that’s a team guy, and he deserves everything he gets because he’s worked hard.â€
Patrick, listed on the Herbert Hoover roster as 6-3, 195 pounds, hasn’t disappeared for the Huskies in the postseason either.
A tennis player too, Patrick said, “My speed is my biggest advantage.â€
After he blocked a punt in a 56-14 Hoover win over No. 5-seed Oak Hill in the quarterfinals, Patrick recovered the loose ball at the Red Devils’ 5-yard line. One play later, Hatfield ran it in for a touchdown as part of Hoover’s 28-point first quarter.
“The guy blocking me was a lot smaller, so I thought I could get [to the punt],†Patrick said. “I went for it and got it with two fingers.â€
In the semifinals on Friday at No. 1-seed Princeton, Patrick recovered two fumbles, returning one to the Tigers’ 19-yard line on a play that sealed the No. 4-seed Huskies’ 35-12 victory. He forced one other and recorded two and a half sacks.
Those takeaways by Patrick gave him three on the season to go along with a team-leading 10 sacks. On the season, Patrick has 39 total tackles, including three for loss. That’s far from being the leader on the team in that category, but he said he’s not one to play for individual glory.
“I try to play team ball,†said Patrick, who started on the scout team and has played just about every position at one time or another throughout his football career.
Saturday’s state championship game will mark an end to that career, Patrick said. He has plans to attend Marshall and become a sports broadcaster, something he already has some experience with, calling Huskies basketball games.
However, football beyond Herbert Hoover is not in his plans. Taking on Bridgeport is his focus right now.
“I can’t wait to show Bridgeport how physical we are,†said Patrick.
Rick Elmore covers sports. He can be reached at 304-348-5122 or relmore@hdmediallc.com. Follow @ElmoreSports on Twitter/X.
