FIRST IN LINE: Hun School lineman Panayiotis Zavaliangos looks for a hit in a 2013 game. Last Saturday, Zavaliangos’ play in the trenches helped Hun top Wyoming Seminary 56-14 in its season opener and first game under new head coach Todd Smith. The Raiders host Poly Prep (N.Y.) on September 27 in their home opener. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

The Hun School football team approached its season opener at Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) last Saturday like a business trip.

“We went out there the night before,” said Hun head coach Todd Smith, who was making his debut at the helm of the program.

“We practiced at Wilkes University and then we took the team out to dinner. We got up the next day and played a football game.”

Once the game started, the Raiders took care of business with aplomb, jumping out to a 28-6 first quarter lead on the way to a 56-14 victory.

“I was really happy with the way we came off the ball,” said Smith. “We wanted the ball right away so we could set a tone. I think the first drive was eight plays, it was our longest of the day. We mixed the run and pass well. I was happy with all facets of the game, special teams, offense, and defense. I was excited by how we played.”

While Smith was able to contain his excitement in the wake of the triumph, the players enjoyed the moment.

“I was pretty even-keeled,” said Smith, who has been involved in a lot of victories as the head coach at WW/P-S from 2005 to 2012 and the offensive coordinator at Hopewell Valley last fall.

“It was a happy bus ride home. It was really good for them to see how their hard work paid off. We hadn’t gone against another team since Nottingham, scrimmage and those practices can drag.”

The Raiders got some hard running from senior and Virginia-bound Christopher Sharp, who rushed for 149 yards and two touchdowns and also caught a 43-yard touchdown pass.

“Chris did a great job on offense, both catching and running the ball,” said Smith. “He has that balance of power and speed. He played four quarters and went both ways and came out of it fine. He is in great shape.”

Junior transfer quarterback Simon Vadas enjoyed a great debut for Hun, hitting on 7-of-9 passes for 158 yards and three touchdowns.

“Simon did a great job managing the game,” noted Smith. “He hit Julian Williams on a 37-yard TD and Chris on a 43-yarder. We wanted to put him in good spots and I thought he did really well.”

The Raiders also got some terrific special teams performances. “Justin Morrison did a great job; he had two punt returns and two kickoff returns and had about 200 return yards,” said Smith.

“He gave us a short field. Danny Seelagy was 8-for-8 on kicks and got our last TD so that was a good 14 point day for him.”

In the trenches, post-graduate Cameron Kitchen was all over the field. “Cameron was the dominant player for us on defense,” said Smith.

“It is unusual for a defensive lineman to lead you in tackles but he had 10 tackles, 5 for a loss, and 4½ sacks.”

Despite Hun’s dominance last Saturday, Smith knows the Raiders will have their hands full when they host powerful Poly Prep (N.Y.) on September 27 in their home opener.

“We are playing the toughest team on our schedule,” said Smith of Poly Prep (4-0).

“I was happy with the tempo and speed that we had on Saturday but we can’t afford any mental mistakes. It will be the most physical game of the year. I wish it came later in the schedule because they have already played four games and this will be our second. But I came to Hun for games like this. To be the best, you have to beat the best.”