After graduating 32 seniors, the TL Hanna Yellow Jackets are gearing up for a fresh era. While the loss of veteran leadership presents a challenge, Head Coach Jason Tone and his staff are focused on laying the foundation for another competitive year, one built on explosiveness, strength, and emerging talent.
Offseason Focus: Explosiveness Over Everything
“Our focus is a lot like previous years: we want to be bigger, faster, stronger, and more explosive—but not necessarily in that order,” said Coach Tone. “We really prioritize turning our players into explosive athletes.”
That emphasis has translated into serious gains on the field and in the weight room, with players developing both raw strength and on-field speed.
The Jacket Games: Team Bonding, TL Hanna Style
Rather than attending traditional offseason camps, TL Hanna keeps it in-house with the creative and competitive “Jacket Games.” Players are divided into small squads and compete in a variety of athletic and team-based challenges. The winning group is rewarded with a fun outing—laser tag, bowling, and pizza. “They love it,” said Tone.
Strength in Numbers
Led by Coach Rochester, TL Hanna’s strength program is one of the best in the state. “We won our region strength meet and sent 19 players to the State Strength Meet, finishing second overall,” Tone proudly shared. “We’ve really increased our focus on speed and explosiveness in our training.”
Players to Watch:
Several rising stars and returning contributors are catching eyes this offseason:
Walker Kelley (TE/LB) – Drawing serious attention with his two-way play.
Travonne Johnson & Jaylon Watson (Sophomores) – Young talents poised for breakout seasons.
Jameerion Oliver, John Michael Tripp, Emari Nance (Defense) – Anchors of a unit returning solid experience.
JaMichael Jones, Nate Malcolm, Malachi Miles (Offensive Line) – 3 of 5 linemen return, providing key protection and leadership up front.
A Coaching Staff Committed to Growth
Tone emphasizes growth not just for players but also for his coaching staff. “We attend clinics and visit other campuses to learn new methods. We’re always open to change. I’m not the same coach I was 10 years ago—and that’s by design.”
Connecting with the Community
In April, TL Hanna is hosting a youth camp for over 100 local kids. “It’s an awesome opportunity for our players to coach and mentor future Yellow Jackets,” said Tone. “Now, when those kids come to the games on Friday nights, they’ll recognize the guys they’re cheering for.”
The Road Ahead
With a tough early-season schedule and a young roster, the team will need to grow up fast. “Our biggest challenge is finding the leaders who will step up when times get hard. It’s easy to lead in the offseason—but when adversity hits, that’s when real leadership shows up. I’m excited to see who that is this year.”
At TL Hanna, it’s not just about reloading—it’s about evolving. With a hard-working squad, hungry underclassmen, and a staff open to innovation, the Yellow Jackets are ready to rise again in 2025.
 – Drawing serious attention with his two-way play.
Travonne Johnson & Jaylon Watson (Sophomores) – Young talents poised for breakout seasons.
Jameerion Oliver, John Michael Tripp, Emari Nance (Defense) – Anchors of a unit returning solid experience.
JaMichael Jones, Nate Malcolm, Malachi Miles (Offensive Line) – 3 of 5 linemen return, providing key protection and leadership up front.
A Coaching Staff Committed to Growth
Tone emphasizes growth not just for players but also for his coaching staff. “We attend clinics and visit other campuses to learn new methods. We’re always open to change. I’m not the same coach I was 10 years ago—and that’s by design.”
Connecting with the Community
In April, TL Hanna is hosting a youth camp for over 100 local kids. “It’s an awesome opportunity for our players to coach and mentor future Yellow Jackets,” said Tone. “Now, when those kids come to the games on Friday nights, they’ll recognize the guys they’re cheering for.”
The Road Ahead
With a tough early-season schedule and a young roster, the team will need to grow up fast. “Our biggest challenge is finding the leaders who will step up when times get hard. It’s easy to lead in the offseason—but when adversity hits, that’s when real leadership shows up. I’m excited to see who that is this year.”
At TL Hanna, it’s not just about reloading—it’s about evolving. With a hard-working squad, hungry underclassmen, and a staff open to innovation, the Yellow Jackets are ready to rise again in 2025.)
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