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By Ron Marvel

Star Correspondent

Student-athletes in High School often have to make a choice: Are they going to just have fun with their friends in the sport of their choice, or will they choose to work hard and do the necessary things to be special, often leaving a program in better shape than they found it? For Highlander Tristen Hoss, he has chosen the latter, and that choice is making him not only better but also improving those who surround him.

During the offseason, Hoss hit the weight room, and his efforts are starting to show in a big way. The 6-foot-4, 260-pound All-Region junior is playing both D-line and O-line this season, and it has made a difference. “Each day I spend an hour and a half in the weight room putting in the time to get better,” Hoss shared. His gains have not gone unnoticed by the Highlander coaching staff. “He has gone from being a body you just stick out there to one of the best linemen I have had,” Head Highlanders Coach Zac Benefield shared. In his first three games, the junior has had 30 tackles. “Playing D-tackle is my favorite. I love getting in there and pushing and throwing people around. I just love doing that,” Hoss exclaimed.

His time wasn’t just focused on building power, but also on improving speed. “I not only want to be able to get back there, but I want to be a player that can chase people down if I have to,” Hoss said. During a jamboree at West Greene this summer, Hoss won an award for the fastest lineman over 250 pounds. His time in the 40 has been clocked at just under 5.4 seconds, so when that size comes at you at that speed, you’re going to feel the impact for a while. On the offensive line, he knows his responsibility and carries it out well. “I know my job and my responsibilities to give our team its best shot at winning. I am either looking to pancake or create a hole for our tailbacks,” Hoss said. Coach Benefield has noticed a huge improvement in his mental game as well. “He is very mature for his age, which helps his football IQ. He is expecting to make plays on every snap,” Coach Benefield stated.

Hoss has spent a great deal of time making sure his technique is above reproach. “I have to trust my steps, but it’s more than just my feet. Our hands are a big part of it, and when I’m on D-line, my hands have to be a big part of that,” Hoss exclaimed. His favorite move is a direct reflection of his mindset. “I love to bull rush—that’s my go-to move,” Hoss shared.

Tristen’s team-first mentality has had a big impact on his level of play as well. “Being a Highlander means a lot to a lot of people. We are trying to go to state this year. We have to have the mindset that we are going to win it all. As a team, we all have to have that mindset. If we have that mindset, we can go far this year,” Hoss said. For Tristen, being a Highlander is a family affair; his grandfather and fishing buddy, Ken Hoss, played at Cloudland in the mid-1960s and was an All-Watauga Conference defensive tackle. His dad was one of the better kickers to come through Cloudland and played college football at Lees-McRae.

With his growth, Tristen has shown that his mind has turned to possibly playing at the next level. He is looking at camps to attend this summer to help in that process and knows the coaching staff at Cloudland can help as he begins that journey. Tristen represents what a lot of colleges are looking for: high-character, coachable, and a strong work ethic. In addition, he sports a 3.7 GPA. Tristen Hoss is walking a path that not many student-athletes commit to walking, and you have to believe, for him, it’s going to make all the difference.