Messer Takes Over Football at Hanover-Horton

Key players for the Hanover-Horton High School varsity football team include, from left, Tristan Johnson, Janson Silveus, head Coach David Messer, Nathan Smith, Craig Foote, and Josh Frailey. Photo by Jeff Steers, JTV Sports.

By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports

New Hanover-Horton High School varsity football Coach David Messer had planned on being a defensive coach at the school in 2022.

But like the game itself, the school optioned to him.

Messer was hired in May as the head varsity coach at HHHS so he didn’t have a lot of time to meet with the players.

But the Hudson coaching product is making the best of his opportunity with the Comets.

“I worked with youth football in Hudson and worked at various levels for 18 years,” Messer said during the JTV Media Days. “I stepped down four years ago, but decided to get back into it (high school football) to help somebody.”

Players who should help Messer and the Comets this season include seniors Craig Foote (tight end/linebacker), Josh Frailey (running back/linebacker), Nathan Smith (offensive lineman/linebacker), Tristan Johnson (quarterback/defensive back), Janson Silveus (lineman), and Graham Gumper (running back/defensive back).

“Coach Messer has made the 4-4 defense simple … that allows us to play fast,” Frailey said.

Players looking to fill in some of the starting positions include Davon Ackley (running back/linebacker), Logan Blackledge (end/defensive back), Brendan Myers (lineman), Kaiden Henry (lineman), and Luke Soper (quarterback/defensive back).

Messer expects to have approximately 20 on the varsity squad this season and 20 at the junior varsity level.

The Comets will kick off the 2022 season with a home game against Hudson – Messer’s former school.

Hanover-Horton High School

Football Schedule 2022

Aug. 25 Hudson at Hanover-Horton 7 p.m.

Sept. 1 Hanover-Horton at Michigan Center 7 p.m.

Sept. 9 Hanover-Horton at Addison 7 p.m.

Sept. 16 Grass Lake at Hanover-Horton 7 p.m.

Sept. 23 Hanover-Horton at Napoleon 7 p.m.

Sept. 30 East Jackson at Hanover-Horton (Homecoming) 7 p.m.

Oct. 7 Manchester at Hanover-Horton 7 p.m.

Oct. 14 Hanover-Horton at Jonesville 7 p.m.