The Hazen Highlanders jumped out to a 7-0 lead against Auburn Mountainview in the first quarter of the first game in 2007. After that, things took a turn for the worse. The Lions outscored Hazen 35-0 the rest of the way and the Highlanders dropped five games in a row to start the season.

Offensively, the team couldn’t get it done during the streak. Hazen scored just 26 points in those first five games. Defensively, the team wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t good enough to pick up a win.

Then in the sixth week of the season, things changed drastically. With a new outlook and a new quarterback, the Highlanders turned their season around.

“The guys’ attitude changed around a little bit,” Hazen coach Scott Leick said. “They decided to come together and finish the year as a team.”

Leick installed freshman Travis Johnson as the starting quarterback. Playing a freshman quarterback would normally be a move signaling a sure-fire rebuilding process or taking lumps in 2007 to be better in 2008. But the Highlanders actually played better right away with Johnson behind center.

Hazen went 3-2 in those final games and scored 110 points, drastically improving on the 26 points of the first five games of the season.

Avoiding a similar stumbling start is a top priority for the 2008 version of Highlanders football.

“We need to find success early and really get some momentum,” Leick said. The Highlanders open the season against Evergreen on Sept. 5, a team that pounded the Highlanders 58-13 last season. But Leick isn’t worried about the talent in the game. He’s confident Hazen can stand up to the Wolverines. He’s worried about the lack of knowledge about Evergreen’s game plan. Evergreen has an entirely new coaching staff this season and it’s not clear what it will look like on offense or defense.

As any sophomore quarterback does, Leick said Johnson needs to continue to work on his maturity and complete understanding of the game. Leick is excited about the offense’s potential to carry the team in 2008.

Leick said Johnson’s attitude does counteract some of the pitfalls usually associated with a young quarterback, such as the team lacking confidence in its offensive leader.

“He has a lot of confidence in himself,” Leick said. “He did some good things over the summer to earn the respect of his teammates.”

Leick plans to utilize the shotgun extensively on offense. That will give Johnson more time to make decisionsand allow him to see the passing lanes easier.

While Hazen will be dealing with youth at quarterback, third year starter James Holland will provide veteran leadership at running back. The junior led Hazen in rushes and rushing yards, while scoring seven touchdowns last season. There are reasons to believe he’ll be even better in 2008. First, another year of experience and growth. Second, if the passing game can improve and make defenses pay attention to the other aspect of the Highlanders’ offense, Holland will find more space to work with.

The experience on defense is concentrated on the line. Hazen will keep four defensive linemen on the field most times because of that. Leick said Hazen’s group is four of the best defensive linemen around.

Leick plans to use the line’s pass rushing ability to ease the burden on Hazen’s green defensive backs. If the defensive line gives the quarterback less time to look at the field and choose where to throw, the defensive backs have an easier job covering receivers.

“We’ll push the envelope with the guys up front to make sure not leaving those guys out on an island by themselves,” Leick said.

The Highlanders will also have four good linebackers in Courtney Sanders, Kevin Schwab, Tyler Searles and Holland.

Hazen Highlanders

Coach: Scott Leick

2007 record: 3-7 overall, 3-4 Seamount (fifth place)

Key returners: James Holland, Courtney Sanders, Travis Johnson

2007 average points scored: 13.6

2007 average points allowed: 25.6

2007 big win: 35-6 over Mount Rainier (1-9 overall, 1-6 league)

2007 big loss: 54-0 by Kennedy (6-4, 6-1)

2007 opponents win-loss record: 47-52

Notes: The team went 3-2 and scored 110 points in the final five games of 2007… Third year starter James Holland should be one of the leagues’ top running backs in 2008… Sophomore quarterback Travis Johnson led the team in passing touchdowns as a freshman in 2007… Senior Courtney Sanders will be a key on both the offensive line and the defensive linebackers group.