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The good news about getting year one out of the way for head coach Justin Hamilton was moving onto year two.

With COVID hitting across the country, 2020 was a tough year to start as a first-year head coach at Pleasant Hill. But the Roosters showed signs, snapping an eight-game losing skid and playing well at the season’s end with a young cast.

Now that group returns, ready to improve upon a 2-8 mark from a year ago.

“Year two has been 10 times better,” stated Hamilton, who served as an assistant at Belton for 13 years prior to his current tenure at Pleasant Hill. “The kids have been in the system for a year. The biggest downfall with COVID was not able to build relationships with a school schedule of half days. But the kids have bought in with their approach to the weight room, the offseason and the summer. They just keep coming back and asking for more. We’ve closed the talent gap with competing for spots, and are excited for this year.”

The offensive line has much for the Roosters to be excited about, returning four starters from a year ago.

Three juniors return including all-conference selection James Mooneyham (5-foot-10, 210) at left guard, and three-year starter Sam McDowell-Driskell (5-foot-10, 235) at right guard. Alden Barrett (5-foot-10, 220) will anchor the line at center, while senior Wyatt Leyda (6-foot-2, 195) returns at right tackle. Junior Nathan Swilley (5-foot-11, 205) looks to start at left tackle.

“The year of experience has made a big difference for our line,” commented Hamilton. “Getting that experience is invaluable. Weight room wise and our physicality are much different that a year ago. They are workers and grinders and are excited about them and strides ahead of them from last year.”

Easton Roe will take over at quarterback. The 5-foot-10 junior served as the backup playcaller a year ago, but takes the helm in 2021.

“He’s doing a great job and is a natural leader,” Hamilton touted. “He’s doing a lot of things right for us.”

Three Roosters will garner carries at running back – juniors Dylan Kauffman and Jonathan Cox (6-0, 195) and sophomore Brayden Bush (5-foot-10, 175).

“Some night we may ride the hot hand, some will be a rotation,” forecasted Hamilton.

At receiver, senior Zach Redwine returns after earning an all-league selection Junior Mason Hicks (5-foot-11, 175) and senior Dylan Dimarco also will line up on the outside, while senior tight end Clayton Kohler (6-foot-1, 170) provides a big target for Roe.

“We feel pretty good about our offense, and went toe-to-toe with Summit Christian in districts,” recalled Hamilton. “We build the offense around the type of talent we have, and we have a lot of skill guys. Last year we had a dropoff between our 1’s and 2’s, but this year, we have guys competing for all spots.”

Defensively, the Roosters will line up sophomore Brody Kohler at nose tackle, while senior Lane Brattin shifts from linebacker to defensive end. Senior Sawyer Wells (6-0, 225) will man defensive tackle, while Mooneyham, Swilley, and McDowell-Driskell will rotate up front as well.

Senior middle linebacker Hayden Hocker (5-foot-8, 185) will help bolster the defense, as will Bush and sophomore Carter Hull at linebacker.

In the secondary, junior Garrett Lyons and Clayton Kohler will man strong safety, while seniors Peyton Jobe and Ryan Perisho will be at free safety. Redwine and Hunter Parrish also will ballhawk at defensive back.

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