Pleasanton features strong senior class numbers

Senior Kolbee McKee will start at quarterback this year for the Blu-Jays. (Tribune photo/Scott Nuzum)

When a coach at a small school finds himself with a big senior class, he's going to feel good about the upcoming season.

As Pleasanton begins its second season back in 11-man football, head coach Chris Brindle, beginning his 10th season at the helm, has reason to feel optimistic about his Blu-Jays (4-5 last season) who return 20 letter winners and 13 seniors among the 39 players they have out.

"We have some good senior leadership," Brindle says, "and some non-seniors who are leaders as well."

Brindle's players traveled to a seven-on-seven camp at Kansas State University this summer and performed well there. Despite being one of the smallest schools in the state playing 11-man football, the Blu-Jays were able to compete with the bigger schools' entries at the camp.

"The summer program was excellent with weight, agility and speed work along with 13 games of seven-on-seven we played at times," Brindle said.

"Depth and experience will be positive factors," Brindle said of the defending Three Rivers League-Upper Division champions. "Several of our players will platoon or rotate in and out of their spots to help keep the team fresher in the fourth quarter."

Technically, the Blu-Jays won't be defending their league title since there are only three schools playing 11-man football in the TRL this season, Uniontown and Oswego being the others. However, as was the case when there were only three 11-man schools a few years ago, the league will have an All-11-Man team at the end of the season so that players can still receive honors for their play.

The district has changed a bit as Humboldt was moved out and replaced with Northeast-Arma. Defending Class 2-1A State runner-up Pittsburg Colgan is still in the group as is Uniontown. It's expected that the Panthers will continue to be their dominant selves but the door is open for the Blu-Jays to claim the second playoff berth out of the district.

"We are one of the smaller schools in 2A, so we have some challenges ahead of us," Brindle says. "Colgan has one of the best programs in the state. (Quarterback) Chas Smith is outstanding, among others on that team. We will need to make steady improvement throughout the season in order to prepare for the district games."

Pleasanton's own quarterback will be senior Kodee McKee (5' 10", 155). He's a three-year State qualifier in golf and had one of the quickest 40-yard times at the Shrine Bowl combine.

Daniel Barber (6' 2", 218, Sr.) is an experienced tailback who can also move out wide on passing plays. T.J. Davis (5' 10", 227, Sr.) will be back at fullback. Gannon Coffman (6' 0", 178, Soph.) is listed as a backup tailback.

David Sowards (5' 11", 168, Sr.) will likely be wide out most of the time but is also listed as a backup in the backfield. Griffin Bortzfield (6' 2", 180, Sr.) is listed as the tight end with Bryan Gilbert (6' 0", 176, Sr.) and Cody Maloney (5' 11", 171, Sr.) as his backups.

A second starting receiver needs to be found. Competing for that job are Dakota Kern (5' 7", 150, Jr.), another one who can also step into the backfield, Tyler Myrick (6' 0", 160, Jr.), who is also the backup quarterback, Zack Rivera (5' 10", 170, Jr.), also the backup fullback, Daniel Streeter (5' 9", 145, Sr.), Joey Shoopman (6' 2", 170, Sr.) and Stetson Kern (5' 10", 160, Sr.).

The offensive line returns four starters who have been starters at least at some point in their Blu-Jay careers. Logan Casey (6' 1", 232, Sr.) will be the center. Dillon Roberts (6' 0", 237, Jr.) and Skyler Martin (5' 9", 235, Soph.) are the guards and Aaron Loggins (6' 3", 253 Jr.) is back at tackle.

Cody Shrum (6' 3", 235, Sr.) and Reid Hein (6' 3", 227, Soph.) are contending for the other tackle position. Other offensive linemen are Heath Cox (5' 10", 225, Sr.) and Adam Stanton (5' 9", 235, Jr.).

"The line has good size, quick feet and some experience," Brindle says.

On defense, the Blu-Jays will have plenty of experience on the line and at linebacker. Bortzfield and Casey return at defensive end with Maloney in reserve. Martin and Loggins are back at the tackle spots with Stanton, Shrum and Hein as backups.

There are five linebackers who have started at one point or another. Barber and Davis have perhaps the most experience with Cox, Sowards, Gilbert and Roberts. D. Kern and Rivers are also listed as linebackers.

McKee will start at one of the defensive back spots. Myrick and Coffman may also start. Streeter, Shoopman and S. Kern will also be pushing for playing time.

Pleasanton begins its season Friday night at Class 3A Baxter Springs. The Blu-Jays took the fight to the Lions in last year's match-up before falling by one point.

Pleasanton's first home game will be against Ash Grove, Mo., on Sept. 12.

Italics -- Class 2-1A, District 7 game.