Healthy Banks keys MHS

Monticello’s Hines Banks knew coming into this season that people had a lot of expectations for his senior season. He’d likely be the lead running back for the defending state champions, and he’d of course make an impact on defense, where he was an All-Region cornerback as a junior.

That mission got quickly derailed when Banks sprained his ankle in the Mustangs’ season-opening win over Albemarle.

“It was really frustrating — I had a lot of big hopes of doing big things this year,” Banks said. “We’re here though, so that’s all that matters.”

Here is the state semifinal, one more step in Banks and the Mustangs’ plans for a state title defense.

Banks worked his way back to full strength, slowly, but surely, and has emerged as perhaps the most important X-factor in the Group AA, Division 3 playoffs. In the Mustangs’ playoff victories over Briar Woods and John Handley, Banks has rushed for 108 and 125 yards, respectively, while averaging almost six yards per carry.

It was a long road to that level though. When Banks first returned in the Powhatan game after missing the Mustangs’ win over King George, the senior wasn’t himself. He could only play at about 80 percent of what he needed to be. In fact, Banks says he didn’t get back to full speed until the William Monroe game — the second-to-last regular-season contest for Monticello (11-1).

“It’s a big relief because now I don’t have to worry about cutting a certain way and it hurting,” Banks said. “I can run just like I always run.”

Even with one bad wheel hobbling him throughout a big chunk of the district schedule, Banks was impressive enough to earn second-team All-Jefferson District honors on both sides of the ball. If he’d been full strength all season, there’s no telling what kind of impact he could have made.

Banks is emblematic of a group of Monticello players that learned a great deal from the players that were seniors during last year’s run to the state title. For Banks, his main mentor was Takeem Hedgeman, Central Virginia’s all-time leading rusher. Hedgeman had a big impact on how Banks approached this season.

“He sat me down and talked to me last year about how everybody was going to say this or say that because he was such a great running back,” Banks said. “He just told me to come out and play.”

Still, Banks has carved out his own niche as one of the Mustangs’ fiery, emotional leaders.

“There’s been great growth from him,” said Monticello coach Brud Bicknell. “He’s much more of an emotional leader than some of our captains. He holds himself to a high standard, and he’s holding everybody else to that high standard as well.”

With the cadre of leaders that the Mustangs brought back, things have gone quite a bit more smoothly for Bicknell and the rest of the Monticello coaching staff.

“While there have been some guys that have gotten a lot of attention, it’s not the Takeem show like it was a year ago,” Bicknell said. “I think they all feel that they have more of a contributing role or are at least recognized for that.”

Now Banks and the Mustangs will try and lock up a second straight championship game appearance in today’s semifinal matchup with Region I champion James Monroe (11-1).

On defense, Banks will be tested at his bandit position, a safety/linebacker hybrid spot in the Mustangs’ 4-2-5 defense. James Monroe boasts a trio of top-flight senior performers with John Jackson at quarterback, Jamal Smith at running back and Devontae Atkins at wide receiver.

The Jackets proved their versatility last week in the Region I final against Nottoway. James Monroe leaned heavily on Smith at tailback when Nottoway spread the field to try and contain the Jackets’ air attack. Still, Jackson threw for four touchdowns in the 35-18 win, including two to Atkins.

The Monticello defense was designed to lock down offenses like this, though, where talented athletes can attack from all directions. With Marvin Mills, Nolan Thornton, Jake Pelton, Khiry Washington and Banks manning the secondary, as well as a talented front six watching the run, Monroe will have its hands full, too.

Michael Graham’s arm will be another key for the Mustangs. With a number of talented athletes patrolling the defensive backfield for James Monroe, Graham will have to be his usual patient, accurate self to give the Mustangs a chance to head back to the title game.

“Defensively they just fly around, they’re pretty salty on defense too,” Bicknell said.

It’s certainly clear right now that making another trip to Liberty is the Mustangs’ only focus.

“We learned a lot from last year because we had great leaders that led by example,” Banks said. “We just want to come out and here and lead like they did, and hopefully we’ll get a repeat.”