Garden Spot WR/DB Trent Hoober

Most high school wide receivers don't catch 14 touchdown passes in their career.  Trent Hoober of Garden Spot did it in one season.  What makes him so difficult to cover?  "I think just my ability to get open, my footwork and ability to create space," replied Hoober.  The 5'10, 160-pound rising senior is a sprinter on the track and field team.  He also plays basketball.  "It's very important to be a multi-sport athlete because you're developing different skills...and it keeps you busy all year round," Hoober told SV Sports' Paul Roberts.  The Spartans went (9-2, 5-1) last fall and finished in a tie for first place in Section 3 with Ephrata and Twin Valley.  Hoober was named the Section 3 Wide Receiver of the Year after making 33 receptions for 608 yards.  He made a big impact on defense as well with five interceptions.  Jace Conrad gives Garden Spot another serious threat on the outside.  The rising senior hauled in 46 passes for 607 yards and seven scores.  He was a first team selection at wide receiver in Section 3 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League.  Hoober and Conrad will be working with a new quarterback this season.  Kye Harting, an All-State pick in Class 5A, graduated.  Harting threw for 1,899 yards with 33 touchdowns and just five picks in 2023.  He also ran for 1,170 yards and a dozen scores.  A.J. Hurst, another rising senior, is expected to take over at quarterback for the Spartans.  "It's an adjustment catching balls from a different guy, but he's doing very good," said Hoober.  Hurst was a standout on the other side of the football last year.  He led the team with 70 tackles and had five interceptions.  Hurst was voted a first team defensive back in Section 3.  That division will look a lot different this season.  Ephrata, Elizabethtown, Twin Valley, and Daniel Boone are all gone.  Manheim Central, Cocalico, Warwick, and Conrad Weiser have moved into Section 3.  Cocalico has won two straight District 3 championships and Manheim Central has a record 18 District 3 titles on its resume.  "It's gonna be a very tight section this year. There's a lot of good competition. It should be a fun section," stated Hoober.