Hite’s game continues to soar

When meeting Poplar Bluff senior linebacker Logan Hite, a few things could come to mind.

It could be his play on the defensive side of the ball where he helps lead the Mules defense or him carrying the ball after he logged 18 carries to add running back to his arsenal last season. It could even be his physciality on the wrestling mat.

Whatever it is, one thing is for sure. Hite has a switch that when the whistle is blown, he shifts from his quiet demeanor to a player that opposing offenses fear when he lines up against them.

“It’s the last year,” he said when asked of his mindset. “Leave it all on the field. I think we have a good team and can have a really good season.”

Hite, an all-state linebacker last season, said the position comes naturally to him.

“I grew up playing it since I was little,” he said.

Hite had 135 tackles last season to lead the Mules while adding three sacks and an interception.

Despite picking up football at six years old, Hite said that wasn’t his first sport as he hit the mat for the first time when he was four.

Football and wrestling are oftern intertwined as the flexbility and athleticism for one, adds to the strength of the other.

“It definitely helps,” he said. “Last year, I didn’t go to any of the summer football things. I was out wrestling for the Missouri National Team. I didn’t throw around a football at all and came back and did well. Wrestling has a lot of mental and hard work. A takedown is like a tackle so it goes hand-in-hand.”

Hite said his other coach agrees.

“My wrestling coach preaches the same thing,” he said. “Every football player should be wrestling.”

Hite and the Mules hit the gridiron at 8 p.m. Friday at PBHS for the season opener against Park Hills Central as Poplar Bluff will look to get revenge from last season’s opening loss.