Not only are the Byrnes Rebels breaking in several key positions, they are also breaking in a new offensive coordinator in Hans Batichon. Batichon will take over play calling duties from Jordan Durrah, former Byrnes OC & current Easley HC. Reggie Shaw raved about Batichon and his ability to help this offense be where it needs to be in 2020. "I first noticed him when he was at Woodruff under Trey (Elder)", says Shaw, "He had the most discipline group of wide receivers I had ever seen. His attention to detail was very evident. He was always a guy I wanted to hire at Byrnes and with his wife already here, I thought it was a great opportunity to bring him on staff and just a few years later is now the offensive coordinator. We are lucky to have him on our staff."
Batichon was rooomates with Trey Elder, former Byrnes Rebel at Appalachian State. In the 2007 upset, Hans recorded 3 receptions including a touchdown that helped the Mountaineers defeat #5 Michigan 34-32. The moment Durrah left for Easley, Batichon knew he was the guy for the job. "As soon as Coach Durrah left, I just went to Coach Shaw and said hey, I am the man for the job." Obviously Reggie Shaw aggreed. "I am so glad that I get to be part of such a rich tradition of being the offensive coordinator at Byrnes High." Batichon liked the offensive success from last season and wants to continue that in 2020. "We ran the ball well last year. We want to keep that up this year & we want to get better every day." Hans will be running with Brayden Blackmon, starting QB for the Byrnes Rebels. Blackmon saw the field in large majority last season, but not as the head man. "I know Brayden is the "new quarterback" but he has been in the system for two and a half years and that has made my job easier. He knows all of the terminology and the reads. We just have to work on his fundementals; not having 7 on 7's really hurt but we have watched alot of film together during the offseason." When asked about leaving Woodruff a few years back for Byrnes, Batichon noted that he actually had not planned on leaving Trey Elder but he felt it was the right move. "Well when he saw me at Woodruff, he liked the way my recievers blocked. And when he called me, I had no plans of leaving. However, I prayed about it and I felt like it was the right move to come to Byrnes. Byrnes has got to always be on someone's mind. It is one of those places where you dream of coaching."
Batichon and the Rebels open the 2020 campaign tonight at Spartanburg against Mark Hodge and the Vikings. "We plan on worrying about us and taking care of the football. We have to minimize our mistakes. If we do that, we feel like we have a chance." Batichon looks forward to being able to call plays with the returning offensvie line coming back for the Rebels. "Man they make my job so much easier. I told them all summer that I loved them because they just came to work and shut up. They didn't talk. They just worked. Those guys had 100% attendance all year and you can't ask for anything more."
The Rebels & the Vikings face off tonight at Viking Stadium at 7:30pm. Listen to the game live on ESPN Upstate.
