Pounding Pavement Podcast 2018
School: Pleasant Plains
Mascot: Cardinals
Head Coach: John Hambelton
Years at School: 1st as Head Coach (last year’s DC)
Overall Record: 0-0, 9-25 career
Assistant Coaches: Trent Quarton Def Cord, OL, DL; Brad Baughman OL, DL; David Bergschneider QB, DB; Joe Betz ILB, OL; Jason Boesdorfer WR, DB; Colton Piper WR, DB
Last Year’s Conference Record: 6-3
Last Year’s Overall Record: 10-4
Postseason: 4-1, played in 3A State Championship
2017 Team Scoring Average: 30 PPG
2017 Team Yards per Game Average: 317 YPG
2017 Team Yards per Game Passing: 162 YPG
2017 Team Yards per Game Rushing: 155 YPG
2017 Team Points Allowed Per Game: 22 PPG
2017 Team Yards Allowed Per Game: 255 YPG
2017 Team Yards Allowed per Game Passing: 120 YPG
2017 Team Yards Allowed Per Game Rushing: 135 YPG
School State Championships: 0
School Conference Championships: Co-Champions 2008
Biggest Rival Game Every Year:
Number of Players out this season: 56
Number of returning letterman: 13
Number of returning starters: 12
Offense: 6
Defense: 6
Top Returnees from 2017
Offensive:
Lucas Western SR RB 272 yd
Tristen Tewes SR TE 33 Rec 590 yds
Devin Burns SR TACKLE
Luke Ozenkoski JR GUARD
Defensive:
Tristen Tewes SR LB Tackles 103-37-140 12 TFL 58 yds 3 sacks 2 Int
Jake Hermes SR LB Tackles 49-27-76 6 TFL 13 yds 3 Int
Lucas Western SR DB Tackles 39-18-57 9 TFL 27yds 2.5 sacks
Nick Sunley JR DB 4 Int
Sam Mcafee SR DB
Who are the newcomers we should know about and why?
Keigan Halford. He transferred from Taylorville last year. He qualified for the state track meet in the 110 hurdles and we have high hopes for him. He is a really fast, athletic kid, and we think he is going to make a great impact defensively early.
What are the questions marks for this team heading into the 2018 season?
We do have a lot of skill players that are varsity tested, but we will have some new guys on the offensive line. We return two starters in Devin Burns, and Luke Ozenkoski on the offensive line. The other three are competing for jobs. If we can learn to be physical up front, I think that will compliment our speed nicely.
What’s something unique about this team that’s worth noting?
Again, I just think it is our speed. We have a lot of fast, athletic skill players that we are going to try and utilize. The key will be to stay healthy, and be physical enough to run the ball effectively.
