HAWLEY — When Hawley coach Mitch Ables feels good about the team he’s returning prior to a season, he should be taken seriously.  Unless, of course, one wants to discount the 126-34 record and one state title he’s posted in 12 seasons with the Bearcats. 

The fact is, Hawley approaches the 2026 campaign with an experienced group of players with a combination of size and skill that all of the area 2A teams will be taking quite seriously.

To begin with, the Bearcats have lost only seven lettermen from last year’s 8-5 team that pushed three rounds deep into the 2A DI playoffs. They have a modest seven offensive and six defensive starters back, but that’s misleading with 21 capable lettermen coming back.