This time last year, Hesston offensive guard Aedan O’Halloran was learning an entirely new playbook, with different blocking concepts than he was used to.

While the Swathers had success last season with the new offense—going 6-4 and winning a playoff game—this summer has been calmer for O’Halloran from a scheme perspective.

“This upcoming season I am excited to be running plays from a familiar playbook,” O’Halloran said. “Last year we switched to an entirely new offensive scheme, and I am excited to see how well it works with both players and coaches now being familiar with the concepts.”

O’Halloran, a senior, was a first team all-league offensive lineman last season and much of his focus throughout the offseason has been in the weight room, although he did not have much of choice this past winter and spring.

“For me, working in the weight room and wrestling room has always been a big part of preparing for football season and this year has been no exception,” O’Halloran said. “A big part of my winter and spring was also recovering from a foot surgery I had after last football season, which gave me the opportunity to spend extra time in the weight room.”

What was so impressive about O’Halloran’s 2022 season was he played most of it on a broken foot. If he can stay healthy, big things are in store for 2023.

“In the offseason I got surgery to repair the broken bone and spent lots of time recovering from that and also working on a nagging shoulder injury,” O’Halloran said. “My biggest team goal this season is to make it deeper in the playoffs than we did last and my biggest personal goal this season is to be named all-state offensive line.”