For Greene County seniors JaQuez Hull and Kalil Dorsey, their final season is about more than simply making the most of their last opportunity to play high school football.
It’s about setting the tone for a program entering another new chapter.
Both were second-team All-Region selections a year ago, and both are expected to be major contributors on both sides of the ball as the Tigers begin the Chris MacFarland era as head coach.
Hull, a senior running back and outside linebacker, has spent the past few seasons waiting for his opportunity in Greene County’s backfield. Now, after following players such as Armari Durham and Travex Gibson, it’s finally his turn.
Dorsey, meanwhile, enters his senior season as one of the Tigers’ primary playmakers at wide receiver while also contributing at cornerback.
With Greene County welcoming its third head coach in three years, the two seniors believe MacFarland and his staff have brought a renewed sense of energy and purpose to the program.
“He’s a good coach,” Hull said. “He's giving us good information and getting us right, getting us prepared for the season.”
Dorsey has been impressed by the amount of time the new coaching staff has invested in the players and believes the simplified offensive approach will help the Tigers execute on Friday nights.
“I feel like all the staff, they put a lot of time in for sure with all our players,” Dorsey said. “I feel like the game plan is just more simple to deal with, and it’s easier to deal with on the field. So I think he’s a good coach overall.”
For Hull, getting his opportunity in the backfield is something he doesn’t take for granted.
“I’m just thankful to have them over me and make me a better running back and outside linebacker,” he said.
Watching those players before him also taught Hull what it takes to succeed at the position.
The biggest lesson was patience.
“You just gotta be patient with everybody,” Hull said. “The line, the quarterback, everything. You just gotta be patient and just be a leader. And when everything’s down, you gotta learn how to bring everybody up.”
That leadership is one of the qualities Dorsey most values in his teammate.
“Beast mode,” Dorsey said when asked what he expects from Hull this season.
But Hull’s impact goes beyond his ability to run the football, Dorsey said. He brings energy to the team, especially when the players need a spark.
“He’s a very great leader, and he brings a lot of energy to the team,” Dorsey said. “Even when we don’t want to be here, he’s the one that brings everybody up. So, I love that, and he’s a very great teammate.”
Dorsey will be expected to provide plenty of energy of his own.
After spending the past few seasons developing at receiver, he is looking forward to a bigger role in Greene County’s offense. With two-year starting quarterback Landon Garretson gone, newcomer Brody Moreno is expected to take over under center.
Dorsey believes Moreno will continue to develop throughout the season and is confident the Tigers can create plenty of explosive plays.
“If we watch film from last year and my sophomore year, all my explosive plays came off those years,” Dorsey said. “So, if we watch, then it showed.”
Hull knows exactly who he wants Greene County to turn to when it needs a big play.
“He’s gonna be the one — if we need the big play, they’re gonna get him the ball,” Hull said. “He’s a real playmaker.”
That chemistry between the two seniors could be particularly important for a Greene County team that will rely heavily on players who contribute on both sides of the football.
Hull and Dorsey are two prime examples.
Hull will line up at running back and linebacker, while Dorsey will contribute at receiver and cornerback.
Both understand that being a senior leader means more than making plays on Friday nights. They will also be responsible for helping establish the culture MacFarland is trying to build around discipline, consistency, and accountability.
And their expectations for the Tigers are high.
Hull believes Greene County can be better in every area, from its communication to its understanding of the game and its ability to work together.
“We’re gonna be a better team than last year,” Hull said. “Better understanding, better communication, and just better overall together.”
Dorsey has an almost identical and equally simple goal.
“Better everything,” he said. “Better team, better communication, better everything.”
After waiting their turn and earning All-Region recognition last season, Hull and Dorsey now have one final opportunity to leave their mark on Greene County football.
And they believe there is plenty of room for the Tigers to make noise this fall.
“I’m expecting a lot of explosive plays this year coming from everybody on our team,” Dorsey said.