Coming into the 2024-2025 season, the Hart Hawks are experiencing more than just a mascot change as they welcome the arrival of new head coach Jake Goossen-Brown.

“This change was much needed, so it’s nice having Coach Goose here,” said senior receiver Parker Maxwell.

Goossen-Brown stated that becoming the head coach at Hart has been one of the most effortless transitions into a new program that he has ever had.

“It’s a testament to what the Herringtons (Mike and Rick) have done. They’ve built a great program, so it was easy for me to come slide in,” said Goossen-Brown. “The habits and tendencies that these kids have for work and coming to practice while staying disciplined set, so all I had to do was come in and teach them some offense and defense.”

With an established program, the Hawks’ fans can expect to see a different offense from what they are used to.

“I think the offense is going to be a little different from the normal Hart offenses that they’ve had in the past, but we’re doing mostly the same football things that have always been done,” said Goossen-Brown.

Besides the arrival of head coach Goossen-Brown, Hart gained the 6-5 370-pound Wade Cobbs IV, who transferred from Oaks Christian. Similarly to coach Goossen-Brown, Cobbs has had a smooth transition into the Hart Football Program.

“I’ve gotten used to the environment of the school and the team, but at first, it was very different from private school,” said Cobbs IV.

While he is becoming accustomed to the team, Cobbs has made an effort to get to know his teammates and hang out with them off the field.

Many people are adjusting to new situations within the team, including Nate Mata, who is switching positions from defensive end to running back and linebacker. 

“Team-wise, our running back who played last year is helping me out with getting used to running back and linebacker,” said Mata. As for the coaches, I get a lot of help from them. They tell me what the dos and don’ts are at my positions and what to look for.” 

Like Mata, starting quarterback Jacob Paisano has had help from the team and coaching staff as he prepares to lead the Hawks into the upcoming season.

“I’ve had a lot of support from everyone, including the coaching staff, trainers and the team,” said Paisano. “We’re all helping each other learn the new playbook and we’re all meshing well and are on the right track.”

For Paisano, he is focused on improving each day physically and mentally to be the best version he can be.

Even though Hart’s previous season went well, finishing with a 7-4 record, they haven’t forgotten how it ended in the first round of the playoffs against Crean Lutheran.

“We would obviously like to have a better record and make it further in the playoffs, so we need to get better as a team and work harder,” said Maxwell.

With star players like Shawn Irwin, Timmy Larkins and Chris Clauss having graduated, it will take a team effort to pull together and get the job done.

The Hawks have been putting in the work all summer long, dedicating hours on end to learning the playbook and how to execute it, as well as becoming familiar with new coaches and teammates.

Only time will tell how the Hawks 2024-2025 season will play out and it all begins on August 23 at COC when they face off against Quartz Hill.

 

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