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Season Preview: Park Hill

By Chad Rader, 810 Varsity, 08/09/22, 11:30PM CDT

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Trojans ready for next step in season two under Sims

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Park Hill hopes the second year in Andy Sims’ system turns into a big year.

The Trojans underwent the first season under Sims as head coach in 2021, with solid returns. Park Hill started out 4-1, dropped four straight then upended Rockhust in the first round of the Missouri Class 5 playoffs.

With a good amount of starters back and a year under the belt, everyone at Park Hill feels good about 2022 – including Sims.

“I feel good compared to where we were at last year,” stated Sims. “The biggest thing is off the field, from Thanksgiving to today. Our maturation as a team has evolved, and any time the players have a new voice, it takes getting used to things.”

Spearheading the Sims spread attack will be returning starting quarterback Kendrick Bell. The 6-foot-3, 175-pound senior threw for 2,211 yards and 21 touchdowns while also running for 292 yards and seven scores.

“Kendrick’s really had a good offseason,” said Sims, who went to the Kansas 6A state title game three times and won the title once while at Blue Valley North. “I’ve coached some good ones and my big deal with the quarterback position is it’s a leadership position. Every good quarterback can throw a ball. But he’s done a great job from a leadership standpoint. He’s gone to the individual camps, but hasn’t missed any of Park Hill’s activities. His skill sets and mechanics also are much better, and the second year in a system for a quarterback is huge.”

Also returning will be running back James Noel. The speedy 5-foot-9, 165-pound senior darted for 511 rushing yards and 277 receivining yards along with six touchdowns.

“James will be an all-purpose back, like an Christian McCaffrey type as a receiver, but strong between the tackles,” Sims hyped. “He’ll be a matchup issue for many.”

Also seeing time in the backfield will be Ethan Vande Ven and Riley Dantzscher (5-foot-10, 205).

On the outside, Bell will have a number of targets including senior Max Filion. The senior caught 21 balls for 322 yards and three touchdowns in 2021, and has already committed to Northwest Missouri State.

“He’s one of the really hard workers but with talent,” Sims said. “It’s been good to see those things come together.”

Also hauling in passes will be juniors Bryce Lisaka (6-0, 185) and Gavin Schaag (6-foot-1, 175), and senior Dayton Howard, a 6-foot-5, 190-pound transfer from Savannah.

Up front, Park Hill returns three senior starters on the offensive line in center Chris Lydon (6-foot-2, 275), tackle Pierce Wand (6-foot-5, 265) and tackle James Jakubowski (6-foot-5, 275).

“Our offensive line has improved and made huge strides in the offseason. They really bought into the weight room,” Sims reviewed.

On the defensive side, senior Braelon Warren (6-foot-3, 250) and junior Daivion Hartley (6-0, 310) will line up in the trenches, as well as junior Jim Humphrey (6-foot-1, 200), who shifts from linebacker a year ago.

Teague Wachter (6-foot-3, 185) returns to linebacker as a second-team all-Suburban Gold selection in 2021. Fellow seniors Cal Netherton (5-foot-11, 225) and Loren White (5-foot-11, 190) also will notch tackles at linebacker. Louis Perez, a 5-foot-9, 155-pound senior, will lead the secondary at cornerback.

“Historically Park Hill has had a tough defense with good, tough kids, good staff and gets the most out of the kids,” Sims reflected. “We’re not always the biggest but will be in the right spot at the right time.”

Park Hill downshifts to the new Suburban Silver in 2022 with Lee’s Summit, Lee’s Summit North and Northland rivals in Liberty, Staley and Park Hill South.

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