WOODVILLE — Wilkinson County senior quarterback Desmond Hunter finds himself in a tight spot entering the 2015 football season.

Hunter, who threw for more than 2,400 yards last season will once again be the center of the Wilcats’ offense, but this season, the bar has been set high.

Wilkinson County finished 4-8 last season, falling in the first round of the playoffs, but for Hunter and his teammates, that wasn’t enough.

“It would feel great,” said Hunter of making a playoff run in 2015. “We just have to work every day for every game.”

Head coach Kenneth Brown said he has seen that work, especially from Hunter, this offseason and throughout his career.

“He’s been here, and that is a good thing,” Brown said. “He’s been working out, lifting weights and doing a lot of 7-on-7 work. He can throw the ball, but the main thing is keeping his head level.”

In one of the toughest districts in Class 3A, Hunter said a lot of pressure falls on him each Friday, but it is something he has learned to adapt to.

“I just have to get on the field and play the game,” Hunter said. “I try and control the game and just let things come to me.”

The 5’11”, 170-pound senior isn’t limited to just his passing, though, racking up more than 200 rushing yards and recording three rushing touchdowns last season.

“There are a lot of advantages of being able to run and throw the ball,” Hunter said. “But I like to be balanced.”

With Wilkinson County’s air-it-out offense, Brown said Hunter is the key to the team’s success this season.

“It comes down to him going out every Friday night and doing his job for us to be successful,” he said. “So he goes, we go, so to speak. We aren’t going to deviate or change much from what we’ve done in the past. He can throw the football, and that is our strength.”

Brown said Hunter has also emerged as a leader for the team, taking command under center.

“A few years ago, he would have an attitude and wouldn’t listen too much, and if you got on him, he would go into a shell,” Brown said. “But he can accept criticism now, is able to direct players and is a coach on the field.”

With the weapons he has on the offensive side of the ball, Hunter said it is just another thing that makes him comfortable dropping back to pass.

“I know what my receivers can do,” he said. “They can go and catch the ball and get open.”

Brown said if Hunter’s success continues, he sees a bright future for the quarterback.

“We believe he is one of the better quarterbacks in the area,” Brown said. “He isn’t built like a rock, but has the ability to play quarterback, even at the next level, if he has the right choice of schools looking at him. He is a smart kid, an honor student. Not a whole lot more you could ask for.”

Hunter said for his team to be a force this year, it is simple.

“We just need to takeover,” he said. “We’ve got the talent.”