Coming up just one game shy of their first-ever Missouri Class 4 state tournament appearance, the Roosters of Pleasant Hill are done rebuilding and ready to make a name for themselves in Class 4.

This last fall marked Pleasant Hill’s first in Class 4 after claiming two straight Class 3 district titles in 2021 and 2022, including a semifinal appearance in 2022. The Roosters ran through their 2023 schedule with a 9-2 record, starting the year 6-0 and finishing with a 4-2 showing against Class 4 teams. Their season concluded in the District 5 Championship in a 37-34 dogfight against Jefferson City.

Back for his fifth season as head coach of the Roosters is Justin Hamilton, who has revived the Roosters’ winning ways. Since taking over an 0-10 program in 2021, Hamilton is 29-18 as Pleasant Hill’s head honcho, guiding the team to three-straight seasons above .500. Back with him are eight overall starters, giving Hamilton’s Roosters a balanced portion of newcomers and veterans that he’s excited to watch hatch and evolve.

“We are young and have less experience than we have had the last few years,” Hamilton said. “However, we have extremely motivated kids who believe in our process and have gotten stronger, faster and tougher this summer. How fast our inexperienced juniors and some of our sophomores come along will be key. Staying healthy will be important, along with creating some depth on each side of the ball throughout the season.”

Putting up at least 42 big ones on the scoreboard in seven of their 11 outings, the Rooster offense provided a riveting show with 43.8 points per game in 2023. Gaining more experience and leading that offense is junior quarterback Sawyer Richcreek (6-foot-2, 190), who went 1-for-1 with a 42-yard touchdown in 2023.

Richcreek will hand the ball off to senior running back Garrison Hartsell (5-foot-9, 185), an All-MRVC West Second-Team selection who ran for 1,000 yards and 10 scores while sharing carries with now-graduated tailback Brayden Bush (1,128 yards, 25 touchdowns). Hartsell also hauled seven receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns.

Inside at slot receiver is Aiden Minor, a 5-foot-6, 140-pound senior who caught 16 passes for 328 yards last year and continues to impress Hamilton with his deceptive strength and ability to make defenders miss in open space. Complementing Minor is senior wide receiver Kordell George (5-foot-10, 175), who brings two catches for 42 yards with him.

The next receiver position belongs to junior Kyler Wallace-Riley. Sophomores Jace Feazel (6-foot-2, 165) and Dallas Dimas (5-foot-11, 155) are battling it out for the fourth wideout spot.

The offense’s personal muscle consists of five upperclassmen, with All-MRVC West Second-Team Selection Brooks Miller (5-foot-11, 220) leading the way at left tackle in his final year. Next to him are newcomers to the starting lineup: junior left guard Maddox Johnson (5-foot-10, 240); junior center Caden Johnson; and junior right guard Braydon Brower. Junior Tyler Lewis (6-foot-1, 210) rounds out the five-man front at right tackle.

After the Roosters established their identity as a running team with 307.1 rushing yards per game last season, Hamilton says how fast these fresh faces learn the playbook will dictate the offense’s pace.

“We have a new QB, three new interior offensive linemen and two new WRs,” Hamilton stated. “How fast they come along will determine the offense’s success. The returners have been doing a great job of helping with that. I believe if we can run the ball like we are capable of that we have the pieces in place in the skill positions to be an explosive offense. Our ability to run the ball will be important early in the season to allow Sawyer to get comfortable.”

As for the defense, it doesn’t get much more dominant than what the Roosters cooked up last season. Pleasant Hill only allowed 19.9 ppg, the program’s lowest average since holding teams to 17.8 ppg en route to an 11-1 record in 2013. Now, it’s up to an almost entirely new unit to maintain 2023's superb standard.

Returning three starters and running a 3-4 scheme, Pleasant Hill possesses a solid veteran presence in the secondary due to the return of senior free safety Brady Roe (6-foot-1, 180). Thanks to his team-high nine interceptions and two defensive scores, the Missouri Football Coaches Association rewarded Roe with a spot on the Class 4 All-State First Team.

Roe’s partner in crime is junior strong safety Gabe Kohler (6-0, 165), who proved persistent with five tackles for a loss in 2023. Outside at cornerback are junior Chaise Powers and senior Caleb Fisher.

Dane Ferrel, a 5-foot-10, 190-pound senior who made the All-MRVC West Honorable Mention team as an offensive lineman in 2023, will start at linebacker. Lucas VanMeter, a 6-0, 170-pound junior, will also start after moving to an outside backer role.

Meanwhile, sophomores Hayden Barrett and Brock Curtis are competing with junior Jack Henry Duensing for the final two spots. Hamilton says all three have chances to see significant playing time.

Pleasant Hill's defensive line is undergoing a line change, with all three linemen stepping into the starting limelight for the very first time. Junior nose tackle Fritz Manda (6-0, 250) will take over responsibilities at the 0 and 1-techniques, while senior defensive end J.J. Mooneyham and junior defensive end Cole Ketchum work on setting the edge.

This collective group is tasked with enhancing last season’s effort against the ground game, as the Roosters held teams to just 72.7 rushing yards per game last autumn. In search of further postseason success, Hamilton is confident a robust and smothering defense can pave the road to a state title run later this November.

“Defensively, I believe in high school football, you have to stop the run to win games, so obviously, it starts there,” Hamilton emphasized. “With eight new starters in a new scheme, it’s going to come down to each person understanding their part of the puzzle and that they have to do their job in order to help the defense.”

After being cooped up with each other all offseason, the Roosters will have a chance to hit someone else for real when they open the 2024 season on August 30 at Savannah. A 7-4 squad one season ago, Savannah’s campaign ended at the hands of Kearney in the district semifinals. This upcoming showdown in Savannah marks the first interaction between these two teams since tangoing in 2019, with Savannah beating the Roosters 27-20.

While it is also Hamilton’s first encounter with Savannah as the Roosters’ leader, it is also Pleasant Hill’s first time opening up the season against a Class 4 foe since 2017. A daunting challenge for most Class 4 newcomers, Hamilton likes his crew’s chances, as they are focused on taking this new schedule one week at a time.

“It starts with the leadership from our seniors, who have been great thus far,” Hamilton proclaimed. “As long as we can stay healthy and improve each and every day, the goal, as it is every year, is by the end of the season to be in the mix for a conference championship and put ourselves in position for a playoff run.”