McDonald starts season with a splash for Tigers

HURON — Tommie McDonald is making the most of his senior football season at Huron. McDonald, a quick slot receiver listed at 5-foot-7 and 150 pounds, caught three touchdown passes in the Tigers' season opener and followed up with another score last week. "Touchdown Tommie" caught 10 of junior quarterback Landon Hohler's completions this season for 107 yards, which is not surprising considering the connection they've built. "I feel that was really built back in December, January, February," Hohler said. "We ran routes every single day and we were imaging how we wanted the season to go. We planned it out for him to come out on opening night with a bang." McDonald caught three touchdown passes in the first half of the Tigers' Week 1 38-0 win against St. Paul. "It was very relieving," McDonald said. "Junior year I didn't really get my chance because I was behind Beau Harkelroad and he's a very good player. "It was all in the first half; it was really exciting. My family was very proud of me, coaches were excited." McDonald caught only two passes for 39 yards last year. He also made 10 tackles and an interception on defense. Now he's stepped into a big role for the Tigers, who are 2-0 heading into a major test at Genoa on Friday night. He caught one touchdown pass in last week's 41-7 win at Brookside. "He pays attention to detail," Huron coach Sam Hohler said. "He's very coachable and runs great routes. Even if he makes a mistake he'll listen to the coach and he won't make a mistake next time." McDonald also mentioned the input of his coaches. "I listen to my coaches, the routes to run and stuff like that," he said. "That's really it." His history with his new quarterback doesn't hurt, either. "He's one of my best friends so we have a really good connection," McDonald said. "I love playing football with Landon." The two standouts also play on Huron's basketball team. McDonald's leadership skills grew last season as a junior point guard. "I think you started to see it with Tommie during basketball season last year with his ability to take charge and lead and make good decisions," Sam Hohler said. "Obviously playing basketball together, they have a good connection. They're friends off the field, too. We weren't quite sure what we were going to get heading into the season, but they're off to a great start." Landon Hohler has completed 16 of 22 passes for 194 yards and six touchdowns in two blowout wins. He's also connected on TD passes with Jackson McNulty and Paul Maloney. Landon is the third member of his family to play quarterback fo the Tigers, but even that didn't totally prepare him for the job. "It's a lot different than I imagined it from being here my whole life and growing up with this program," he said. "I'm really starting to understand how much it means to be a quarterback at Huron and the tradition that goes along with it." The Tigers, who dropped down to Division VI this year, could earn some big playoff points with a win at Division V Genoa, which is a member of the Northern Buckeye Conference. The Tigers and Comets have met four times over the past three years, with Huron winning three of those matchups. Those four games, which included a 28-21 Huron playoff win last year, were decided by a total of 19 points. "We lost to them by a point at home (21-20) last year and played them again in the playoffs and were able to win by a touchdown," Sam Hohler said. "Tough football program, got a lot of talented kids. They play hard and play the right way. For us to go over there this year with a relatively young team, it's going to be a real challenge for us."