{"id":73628,"date":"2023-08-10T09:27:06","date_gmt":"2023-08-10T14:27:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=73628"},"modified":"2023-08-10T09:27:08","modified_gmt":"2023-08-10T14:27:08","slug":"familiar-names-anchor-d-line-in-preseason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=73628","title":{"rendered":"Familiar names anchor D-line in preseason"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By CAYDEN SANDERS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Familiar names in familiar places. That\u2019s what dots the defensive line for the Fort Hays State University football team entering preseason drills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tigers have two big names in the program returning: Myles Menges, one of the best edge rushers in the MIAA, and Gaven Haselhorst. While Minges and Haselhorst are the key returners in the trenches defensively, two other linemen look to have an immediate impact this season \u2013 Evan Darville and Jason Wallace. The position will be guided by D-line coach Layton Hickel, in his second year with the program.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Menges<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Menges is coming off an All-MIAA third-team selection as a defensive lineman. Last season, Menges played and started in all but one game. During that time, Menges led the lineman with 36 tackles and was third-best on the team in tackles for loss at seven. Menges also had 1.5 sacks that tied him for second-best.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only was Menges in the backfield, but he also put the work in to disrupt four pass attempts during the season. He finished with a season-high of seven tackles in a game and two tackles for a loss with a sack against Pitt State in the season finale.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s great to be back here and getting the work in. Defensively, we should be a lot better this season,\u201d said the junior, who played football at eight-man Central Plains in high school. \u201cBut I am pretty happy with the defensive line. We have all put in the work this offseason to make good strides, and I am excited for the season.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For one player, the transition to Fort Hays was not a big one considering he grew up in Hays and played at Lewis Field Stadium since his time at Hays High School. Haselhorst, now a sophomore, said wearing the black and gold on Saturdays is a great feeling.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Haselhorst<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cWhile in high school, I had the opportunity to play at Lewis Field Stadium, and I thought that was fun and that was meaningful,\u201d said Haselhorst, who spent a year as a red-shirt at Kansas State University before transferring to FHSU prior to the start of last season. \u201cBut being at Lewis Field on Saturdays is a different beast. Being a part of Fort Hays and seeing people on gamedays or around town is just an electric feeling to be able to experience.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last year, Haselhorst started seven of the eight games he played in. He finished with 31 tackles and had a season-high of six tackles against Lincoln and Missouri Southern. He also finished with 9.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks overall, along with three pass breakups.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe thing that I have been working on this offseason is putting on more muscle while increasing my speed and agility,\u201d Haselhorst said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coaching staff is expecting good things from Darville this year as well. Last season, he earned 11 starts and finished with 24 total tackles \u2013 including a season-high of seven against Missouri Southern.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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Darville<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cI think that my improvement started in the offseason and getting stronger, but getting into the playbook helped me a lot more coming into this season,\u201d said Darville, who is from Dodge City. \u201cThat was my plan going into the offseason was to be here and help lead and make myself and others accountable to be the best we can be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hickel, the defensive line coach, also had high praise for Wallace coming into the season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAny time I watch film of him, I am really impressed with his footwork and explosiveness and I think he is going to have a really good season,\u201d Hickel said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Wallace, it motivates him to hear encouragement from his position coach.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s great to have a coach that has your back and wants you to succeed,\u201d said Wallace, a senior from Georgia. \u201cTo some people looking for a great coach, it will make or break their collegiate career and I think Coach Hickel has made mine better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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Wallace<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

In Wallace\u2019s first season with the Tigers last year, he played in all 11 games and made two starts at defensive tackle. In fall camp, that is where he has been taking reps so far. In the 11 games in 2022, Wallace recorded 19 tackles, three tackles for loss and a season-high of three tackles in three different games. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the linemen, their relationship with Hickel means a lot to them as he enters his second season as the position coach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Menges said since he came from a small town, he can relate to Hickel\u2019s coaching style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCoach Hickel is the ultimate players\u2019 coach,\u201d Menges said. \u201cAll he wants is the best from you not only on the field but off the football field, whether it\u2019s in the classroom or it\u2019s how is your family doing. I mean, Hickel is just a great coach, and I am glad that he is here.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Haselhorst and Hickel, it felt as though the band was back together when they reunited in 2022. While Haselhorst was in high school at Hays High, Hickle was the defensive coordinator before finding his way back to his alma mater of FHSU. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During Hickel\u2019s time with Haselhorst in high school, the coach helped guide Haselhorst to love the game of football and find his position on the field in being an edge rusher. More importantly, he helped Haselhorst develop into one of the top defensive players in the state in his senior campaign in 2021. That season ultimately caught the eyes of the Kansas State coaching staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI feel like me and coach Hickel\u2019s relationship is like a father-son relationship,\u201d Haselhorst said. \u201cI mean, he has been there for me my entire football career, and I can\u2019t thank him enough for what he has done for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Darville, he went straight out of high school to Southeast Missouri State. But with being redshirted and COVID, Darville found himself wanting to be closer to home and on a familiar field he used to play on as a member of Dodge City\u2019s team that played Hays High in WAC action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen I came to Fort Hays, it was great to have the feeling of knowing people and feel like a part of a family,\u201d he said. \u201cSince Day 1 of being a part of the team, Hickel had high expectations of me being part of this team and competing against me in high school, and he just pushes me to excel more then any other coach I have had.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fort Hays, which finished 3-8 overall in 2022, will look to improve on the entire defensive side of the ball this fall. The Tigers allowed 30 points per game last year, which was only 10th best in the 12-team league.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tigers open the season at 6 p.m. Aug. 31 at Northeastern State in Tahlequah, Okla. The first home game is at 7 p.m. Sept. 7 against Pittsburg State, last year\u2019s conference champion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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