Ansonia’s Adam Hall has guided the Tigers to a record of 32-4 since 2022…and an appearance in the 2023 regional round of the tournament. (Press Pros Photo Contributed by Dale Barger)
His style of football is questioned, even scoffed at, by contemporary culture. But at Ansonia High School coach Adam Hall has returned to his roots, as well as the root football principles he learned at Ansonia as a player, not so long ago.
And since taking over four years ago…all he’s done is win – deserving of this week’s Press Pros ‘Who’s Hot’ recognition, if he didn’t deserve it sooner.
Adam Hall has the Ansonia Tigers again atop the standings of the Western Ohio Athletic Conference at 8-1, and this past week he quieted his doubters (for at least a week) when his Tigers suffocated the high-powered and high-scoring title favorites, the Preble Shawnee Arrows, 24-13. And if you still don’t believe, consider some recent context.
Over the past three seasons he’s guided the Tigers to a record (to date) of 32-4. And yes, those same doubters will point out, asking the age-old question, “32-4 against who?”
Well you can only play who you can play, but on paper, at least, Ansonia plays in an overall more competitive conference (WOAC) than the one they left five years ago when the Cross County Conference fell apart. Since then the WOAC has had its share of post-season success with Preble Shawnee, Tri-Village, and Ansonia. And yes, Hall and his Tigers beat MAC icon St. Henry last November in a regional semi-final game to earn the opportunity to show their stripes against 14-time state champion Marion Local – for a trip to the Division VII final four. That didn’t go well, as more-powerful Marion stopped Hall’s run game and clock control dead in its tracks, 48-0.
They run the ball, almost exclusively. Senior Zane Henderson (above) leads the WOAC Conference with 1,380 rushing yards.
What makes Hall unique is his ability, and willingness, to play the style of football eschewed now by 99% of the rest of the football world. They run the ball, almost exclusively, with WOAC leading rusher Zane Henderson (1,380 yards so far) – counter left, counter right, a lot of misdirection, borrowing from Wing-T principles. And because they don’t bother with a kicking game, any place on the field is subject to going for it on fourth down.
It’s what he learned from his own high school coach, Eugene Hoening, who taught it for 38 years, and successfully enough that they’ve now named the Ansonia football facility…Coach Eugene Hoening Stadium.
“I tell the players every week…we need long drives, eat up the clock, and make teams wonder if and how many times they’re going to get the ball for the rest of the game,” said Hall following their win over Preble Shawnee, “It’s a huge thing because if there’s six minutes left in the game they’re not sure they’re going to get the ball back…and another chance to score.”
That sums up Ansonia football, and Adam Hall – a paragraph and about a hundred words. He’s known for his beard, and the simple, principled manner in which he plays the game – how he’s become 32-4 in three years while other bigger, more noted programs have struggled to even maintain roster numbers.
But that’s not the case in tiny Ansonia, a community of almost 1,200 pe0ple.
“The people here, and our players, are bought in,” adds Hall. “Fans, parents…they’re all bought in. It’s not like that everywhere. No one complains about who has stats, or who get touches, or who scores. We’ve got guys who are just happy to be on the field. Actually, I wouldn’t keep stats if we didn’t have to. The conference (WOAC) wants to keep them so we do, but I don’t think the players would care at all if we didn’t.”
That’s the football side of Hall, who formerly coached at Tri-County North before coming home to Ansonia. His respect for others and what they do, is another noteworthy attribute.
He’s immediately available post-game to meet with whoever shows up locally to cover Ansonia football – taking questions, won or lose, for as long as necessary.
“He’s totally first class,” says Greenville Advocate writer and photographer Gaylen Blosser. “I’ve known him for years – his family – and this is how he is. He always thinks of others and the job they have to do, as well.”
32-4 is enough to earn even the smallest of recognition, but outside of Darke County few, if any, have heard. Hopefully this helps to make a dent in such anonymity.
On behalf of our sponsor, The St. Henry Bank, we’re pleased to share his story. Adam Hall is this week’s ‘Who’s Hot’ honoree on Press Pros.
On behalf of sponsor, the St. Henry Bank, Press Pros is happy to recognize this week’s ‘Who’s Hot’ honoree, Adam Hall, of the Ansonia Tigers.