Hamilton lost its MHSAA season-opening Classic 35-0 at Weir on Friday. Coach Ray Weeks though, saw more than the final score.

“I thought we played pretty good defense,” he said. “We gave up a couple of big runs on missed tackles and we gave up a big fourth down pass that led to a touchdown. Other than that, the defense played well. They never drove the ball against us. It was just big plays. I was pleased with our effort on defense.”

Offensively, sophomore Austin Welch drew his first career start.

“On offense, we've just got to be consistent,” Weeks said. “We'd get something going, then hurt ourselves with a penalty or missed assignment. I think youth had something to do with that, but overall I think we played well. They were a solid team, a senior team and I think our youth kind of reared its head.

(Welch) made some good things happen and being his first time, made some mistakes. Overall I was pleased. He knows he's got a lot of room for improvement and he's working hard at it. What we've got to be able to do is take some pressure off him and run the ball.”

Running the football is something Weeks would like to see his team get going tonight when Smithville visits.

“We want to run the football. We feel like that could be our strong point,” he said. “We have a pretty much veteran offensive line and some good backs. But saying that, we've still got to be able to throw the ball some to keep the defense honest.”