New Deal football coach Matt Hill eager to see young talent step up

By Amanda Michael  |  A-J Media

After a trying season that was played during the COVID-19 pandemic, New Deal football coach Matt Hill is eager to play football without many headaches.

Despite missing two games due to COVID last year, New Deal finished 5-4 overall and 3-2 in District 2-2A Division I action and returns several key players at the skill positions.

“I think we’re going to be a lot more well-rounded this year, I think we got some depth, we got some speed that we’re bringing up,” Hill said. “You know, things didn’t turn out like how we wanted them to last year, but we got the core of our kids back and we’re excited to get another football season going.”

The Lions have eight players returning on offense, including standouts such as quarterback Harley Patterson, running back Leric Eaton and wide receiver Colby Henderson.

And to protect Patterson, the Lions bring back a slew of offensive linemen highlighted by Noah Rodriguez.

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On defense, New Deal has plenty of experience starting with Kendrick Nelson, Jyson Lacy and Jovin Villegas as part of eight returners.

“We just got a great core, and we got a whole bunch of kids and we got a whole bunch of leaders,” Hill said.

The offense will be led by Patterson, who threw for 1,256 yards, 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions in seven games played last season. The junior was aided by Eaton, who ran for 989 yards and 11 touchdowns. Kyler Reed made it a trio of playmakers, catching 30 passes for 651 yards and six touchdowns.

The defense was led by Eaton, who led the team in tackles last season with 83 and also tallied a team-best five sacks. Villegas (66 tackles) and Nelson (54 tackles) rounded out the Lions stop troops.

New Deal also had a ballhawk in seni AZ Soliz, who nabbed four interceptions last season on the way to helping the Lions advance to the program’s 17th straight postseason.

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Hill is hoping his squad can continue that success, but will need some younger players to step up in order to accomplish those goals.

“Yeah we just got to get those new kids in the rights spots and see what works for them and hopefully make a team out of them,” Hill said.

There’s been plenty of success in the athletic department, though, as the Lions claimed the program’s first-ever Class 2A state baseball title back in June.

“You know we had a great baseball and track season so we’re going to try and ride that wave and hopefully that success builds on success,” Hill said.  “Yeah, so we had a great spring season and we’re going to turn around and play some football in the fall and hope things turn out good for the Lions.”

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Hill hopes the football team can follow suit.

“We’re just excited about the core of kids we got coming back and we’re blessed to be coaching at New Deal and we’re glad to honor the tradition and we hope to keep that ball rolling,” he said. 

Head coach: Matt Hill

2020 record: 5-4 overall, 3-2 in district

Base offense: Spread

Base defense: 3-3

Last playoff appearance: 2020

Returning Lettermen: 28

Top returners: Harley Patterson, Leric Eaton, Kendrick Nelson, Jyson Lacy, Jovin Villegas, Noah Rodriguez