One of the more storied football programs in Arizona is off to a slow start in the 2018 season as they transition into a new system with a new head coach.

Hamilton High School is still dealing with the ramifications of a hazing scandal that hit the school nearly two years ago and left the team without Steve Belles, their coach of 11 seasons who led them to five state titles from 2006 to 2016.

The team finally has a permanent head coach in Mike Zdebski, who was hired after the end of last season. Like any team that goes through a coaching change, Hamilton's football squad has been met with some challenges.

“As of right now we aren’t playing as a team,” junior wide receiver Brenden Rice said. “We’re adjusting to the speed and play of our head coach. As a team we don’t have the confidence and strength to move forward as one.”

Hamilton is off to a 2-3 start, including a 36-33 overtime loss to Chaparral in week one and a 55-20 loss to Mountain Pointe on Friday. If the Huskies do not qualify for the state playoffs, it would be the first time since the school’s inaugural season in 1998 when they played an independent schedule and went 7-2.

While the team got off to a shaky start, players are confident that they will be back to their winning ways soon.

“I believe the whole team has responded to the new staff very well,” senior kicker Daniel Obarski said. “Without a doubt the wheels are starting to turn and the coaching staff as well as the players are starting to click and work together as one unit.”

Obarski hit a 54-yard field goal on Friday, breaking the school record for longest field goal.

Hamilton will not have an easy road the rest of the way with a second-half schedule that features regional rivals Brophy Prep, Basha, Perry, and Chandler. Those four teams are a combined 15-4 this season.

As for Hamilton, they feel they will get a boost from players that are slated to return. According to Obarski, junior quarterback Nick Arvay should be eligible this week, and senior linebackers Sam Hodge and Dustin Smith are expected back from injury.

“We have players that are now eligible to play,” Rice said. “I believe we will be able to get past the adversity.”

Overall, the Huskies are looking to keep their minds on the rest of the season and avoid dwelling on the past.

“Coach Z has not made it too hard on us, even though we are learning a new system on both sides of the ball,” junior linebacker Jeremiah Trojan said. “He tries not to overcomplicate things and week by week we will get better in his system. We all just have to do our individual jobs, and by doing that well, the team will have success.”

Hamilton will host Dobson on Friday at 7 p.m.