Enjoying Spectacular Debut for PHS Football, Hawes Heading to Sunshine Classic, Howard
Taking up football for the first time last fall, Joe Hawes wasn’t sure what his role would be on the Princeton High team.
“The toughest thing was finding my spot and where I fit in with everyone playing,” said Hawes, who had been a backup goalie for the PHS boys’ soccer team in addition to playing goalie for the boys’ ice hockey team and starring at defense on the boys’ lacrosse squad.
Utilizing his multi-sport background, Hawes caught on quickly. “There was one time in practice where Beamer (PHS quarterback Dave Beamer) threw it wide and I did a full-out dive like a soccer goalie move to make the catch,” said Hawes. “The hand-eye coordination also helped.”
Hawes helped PHS from the start, producing a spectacular scoring play in the ream’s season-opening 28-7 win over Hamilton.
“That was great, there is nothing like catching an 80-yard TD in your first football game,” said Hawes.
The lanky Hawes ended up emerging as the team’s main deep threat in the passing game, making 24 catches for 568 yards and eight touchdowns. He also started at defensive back and handled the punting duties.
Hawes’ superb debut campaign earned him a spot on West Squad for the 19th Sunshine Football Classic sponsored by Fisher Capital LLC on July 1 along with Little Tiger teammates Sam Smallzman, Ben Danis, Tad Moore, Tommy Moore, Omar Moustafa, Colin Buckley, and Brian Lemus-Camey.
“I expected to be chosen but it is still nice to be considered one of the best players in the area,” said Hawes.
With PHS coming off a 0-10 season in 2013, few expected the Little Tigers to end up as one of the best teams in the area. Building on the win over Hamilton, PHS got off to a 5-0 start and ended the fall at 8-2, winning the the West Jersey Football League’s Valley Division crown in the process.
“That gave us hope,” said Hawes “At halftime we were down but we pushed through, showing that we were not that 0-10 team and that we had the players.”
Even though PHS got pushed around a little bit in its season finale, falling 48-12 at Brick Township in the state playoffs, Hawes and his teammates drew positives from that experience.
“On the bus ride home, no one was sad, everyone was happy,” recalled Hawes.
“We knew we had made history for PHS. We played a pretty good game, the score was not indicative. I had 135 yards receiving and we put up some good offensive numbers.”
While Hawes wonders what might have been if he had taken up football before his senior year, he has no regrets.
“If I started earlier, who knows what would have happened and who would have been recruiting me,” said Hawes, who is heading to Howard University and will be joining its football team.
“I am happy the way it turned out. I made football friends. I won two MCT titles in lacrosse, that was also a highlight. I still have some great soccer friends. I wouldn’t really want to change anything.”
Buoyed by his experience this fall, Hawes is excited about continuing his football career at the next level.
“I am going to Howard and will be playing football,” said Hawes. “I got in and I e-mailed the coach and he said we have a place for you in camp. It starts August 7.”
Hawes is using the preparation for the Sunshine game, which will be played at The College of New Jersey, as a way to speed up his football education.
“I am getting to learn,” said Hawes. “The HoVal coach is great; Hun had a great season and their line coach is here. I don’t feel that I am much behind these guys. They have me at tight end. They had a lot of wide receivers and I am in on passing plays. It is getting me fired up; I see the intensity the other players have.”
No matter how much he gets the ball in the game, Hawes is fired up to be back on the field with his PHS teammates.
“It is like a flashback to our great season,” said Hawes. “If a PHS player makes a good play in practice, I remember a play from the season that was exactly like it. We have the most players on the West team.”
Looking ahead to his college football career, Hawes knows that he has to hit the weights in order to be a playmaker for Howard.
“The biggest thing is strength-wise; I didn’t lift that much for soccer,” said Hawes.
“I need to get stronger and faster. I have the agility and the hands. Howard sent me a program. I am seven weeks behind but I have a month before I go. I will be lifting and working everyday.”