About

Class 1A District 1

Three Rivers League

School Colors: Blue and White

Head Coach: Caleb Hendricks (3-6, 2nd season)

Assistant coaches: Jason Toms, Jaxon Eddy

COACH HENDRICKS SAYS:

“We have the opportunity this year to develop a lot of young talent with a lack of upperclassmen and that’s exciting for this year and the future. With that being said, we want to be a team that can make some noise in the playoffs. We did a great job last year of fighting for home field advantage in the playoffs, but that’s not good enough anymore.”

Five Year Trend (Playoffs)

• 2020: 3-6 (First Round)
• 2019: 3-6 (First Round)
• 2018: 8-2 (Second Round)
• 2017: 6-4 (First Round)
• 2016: 4-5 (No Playoffs)

2020 REVIEW

The Blu Jays went 3-6 in head coach Caleb Hendricks’ first year. “Our biggest challenge last year was just buying in to a new system and culture,” Hendricks says. “We incorporated more of a run heavy offense which took some time for the guys to trust, but once they did, we had some great success.” Pleasanton got better as the season went on, which was reflected in their record. “The best part of last season was how we turned it on late and had success at the end of the year,” Hendricks says. “It would have been easy for our guys to fold… but instead our guys showed up ready to work and we were able to accomplish our goal of getting home field in the playoffs.”

RETURNING STARTERS (2020 stats)

WR/LB Judah Skipper (Sr) 6’1”, 150 lb – 1^st Team All-League, 2^nd Team All-District LB

QB/WR/DB Caleb Caldwell (Sr) 6’2”, 160 lb

RB/LB Karsten McKee (Jr) 5’10”, 235 lb – 931 rush yards, 6 TD, 48 tackles, 1^st Team All-League RB/LB, HM All-State LB

OG/DT Brock Chapman (Jr) 5’11”, 255 lb – All-League HM OG, 1^st Team DT

C/DL Brandon Greer (Jr) 5’9”, 220 lb

WR/DB Tony Gillespie (So) 5’10”, 155 lb – 260 rec yards, 3 TD, HM All-League WR, 2^nd Team All-District WR

WR/DB Jeffry Cayton (So) 5’9”, 130 lb

OT/DE Bryce Johnson (So) 6’1”, 215 lb

OTHER KEY RETURNERS

OL/LB Chris Stark (Sr)

LB Xavier Reome (Jr)

OL/DL Zander Cox (Jr)

LB/DB DJ Meik (So)

LB/DB John Parks (So)

KEY NEWCOMERS

RB/LB Eli McGinnis (Fr)

TE/DL Hayden Johnson (Fr)

WR/CB Sy Snow (Fr)

QB/CB Nate Johnson (Fr)

SCHEDULE:

9/4 @ Christ Preparatory Academy

9/10 vs. Lyndon

9/17 @ Uniontown

9/24 vs. Troy

10/1 @ Olpe

10/8 vs. Northern Heights

10/15 @ Northeast-Arma

10/22 vs. Central Heights 

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK

Leadership is a big emphasis for Pleasanton this season. The Blu Jays graduated 3 captains and return just four seniors. “Finding 3-4 guys to step up and take on leadership roles will be huge for this summer and as we start-up in the fall,” Hendricks says. Junior Karsten McKee is the sole captain returning. “We will look for him to take another step forward in his junior season.” McKee certainly led by example on the field. He had 931 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns and a team-high 48 tackles as a linebacker. Tony Gillespie, Bryce Johnson and Jeffry Cayton all started for the Blu Jays as freshman, and Hendricks expects them to continue to progress and make big contributors in the fall. Pleasanton is fielding a stronger team this year as well. “We made a lot of progress in the weight room over this past year, and we are looking forward to seeing all of that work pay off,” Hendricks says.