North Hagerstown football focused on 'discipline and details' under new coach

With the 2024 Maryland high school football season set to kick off soon, we're taking a quick glance at each Washington County team.

North Hagerstown Hubs

Coach: Nathan Butts , first year

Last season: 3-7, lost to Oakdale in 3A West first round.

Top returners: Khalil Peggues, Sr., WR/DB; Joseph Holt, Sr., OL/DL; James Jackson, Jr., RB/LB; Ty'Qwell Fauntleroy, Jr., RB/LB; Gary Fisher, Jr., OL/DL; Javoun Frith, Sr., RB/LB; Xavier Ferguson, Sr., OL/DL; Damean Thomas, Jr., RB/LB.

Key losses: Ryder Johnston, WR/DB; Luke Bragunier, RB/LB; Luke Kercheval, QB/DB; Garcia Kadiobo, OL/DL; Xavier Colbert, WR/DB; Jesse Eppard, OL/DL; Aiden Clark, RB/LB.

Notes: Butts took over as head coach from Greg Stains after spending the previous seven seasons as North's offensive coordinator. … Stains stepped down after 10 years at the helm, during which the Hubs went 24-68. … North, which has finished 3-7 each of the last two years, hasn't had a winning season since going 6-4 in 2013. … The Hubs have two playoff wins in program history, the last coming in 2006. … Logan Hoffman, a senior, is set to take over at quarterback for Kercheval, who graduated as North's all-time leader in career passing yards with 3,336, including a single-season-record 1,898 last year.

Washington County football: The top 28 seniors

Biggest challenge: "Overall, as a program, it's getting the culture right," Butts said. "The big thing I've been preaching is discipline and details and just focusing on those two things. We're talented enough football-wise, but we can't overcome being undisciplined and not focusing on details. Those are two things I've harped on every day, discipline and details."

Reason to be optimistic: "We have a lot of hungry kids that want to win," Butts said. "They're being coachable, and they're starting to change the culture. They're listening to things we're telling them, and they're getting better each day. I know that sounds like coach talk, but they are. Each day we've improved. We just have a real great group of kids who are talented in football. We have depth across the board, which we have not had in a long time, especially up front."

Washington County football: The top 21 sophomores and juniors

North Hagerstown football schedule

Sept. 6, vs. Tuscarora, 6 p.m.

Sept. 13, at Manchester Valley, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 20, vs. Thomas Johnson, 6 p.m.

Sept. 27, vs. Spring Mills, 6 p.m.

Oct. 4, at Smithsburg, 6 p.m.

Oct. 10, at Williamsport, 6 p.m.

Oct. 18, vs. Brunswick, 6 p.m.

Oct. 25, vs. Boonsboro, 6 p.m.

Nov. 1, at South Hagerstown, 6 p.m.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: North Hagerstown football focused on 'discipline and details' under new coach