By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post Sports
HAYS, Kan. — The Fort Hays State football offense was a formidable force by the end of the 2024 season. The Tigers won five of their final six games to finish with an 8-3 record.
Offensive coordinator Tom Ross, who was named to the position just before the start of preseason camp last year, attributed the slow start to a lack of comfort.
“Early on in the season I just don’t think I was comfortable enough,” Ross said. “We kind of all figured it out together as the season went on. So, I don’t see why we can’t necessarily start off the way that we finished. But with that being said, we’ve got a top-five defense coming into Hays (Angelo State) in two weeks, so we’re going to find out who we are and where we need to get to.”
The Tigers finished 2024 in the top four of the MIAA in total offense with 402 yards per game. Even with some holes to fill this year, Ross feels they have a chance to put up bigger numbers this season.
“A lot of those guys were in the system, they were around, and they really took a lot of ownership, a lot of pride over the offseason, in the springtime, in the summertime, to really learn it and to kind of understand why we’re doing things,” Ross said.
Caleb Heavner took over as the Tigers’ starting quarterback in their sixth game last season and went 5-1 as a starter. Ross has high expectations for the now-junior signal-caller.
“He’s always been a mature kid. He’s always had a good head on his shoulders, but it’s just his preparation,” Ross said. “I couldn’t get him out of my office the entire springtime, couldn’t get him out of my office the entire summertime. You, me and him, almost scary, you know, we think alike.”
One of the biggest holes to fill will be in the backfield. Shane Watts emerged as one of the top running backs in the nation, rushing for 1,303 yards and gaining 1,752 all-purpose yards and scoring 17 total touchdowns. He earned Second Team All-American honors from three different organizations.
Ross said Watts left some big shoes to fill but feels they will be fine at the position.
“That’s one of the positions it’s going to be more by committee,” Ross said. “We’ve got guys that can do different things, and so just utilizing their skill sets. We’ve got an experienced offensive line so that should help in terms of the running game. I do think we’ve got potential there.”