East Hamilton

Head coach: Grant Reynolds (23-11 here; 13662 overall)

Returning starters: 7 offensive; 7 defensive

Last year’s record: 8-3 overall, lost in Class 4A first round

Key players: Juan Bullard (6-1, 215) Sr. RB, Lake Clark (6-2, 190) Sr. QB, David Cole (6-3, 210) Sr. WR, Caleb Ledesma (6-2, 270) Sr. C, Joshua Brewer (6-3, 270) Sr. NT, Ramsey Devine (5-9, 210) Sr. OLB, Tex Lewis (5-10, 220) Sr. MLB, Ben Cole (5-10, 200) Sr. DE

Season outlook: The disappointing conclusion to last season for a talented crew will only serve as fuel what could be an even deeper, more explosive group of Hurricanes.

The returning starters on offense include a dynamite pair of skill position players in the explosive Bullard as the featured back and the dynamic Cole as the top target, and the mixture of experience and young talent overall give Coach Reynolds hopes for a strong fall and a potential playoff run deep into the months that end in -er.

Whether it’s in the regular season or beyond, Reynolds believes being big in big moments will be the difference between a good season and a potentially great one.

“The last four years we have been able to get to the game that will decide the region champion with a chance to win it,” he said. “Those are big games, but we have not been able to accomplish that yet.

“I think what I have seen is a maturation. Some of these kids have matured, and we don’t have to tell them every single play what to do. I guess they are getting more football smart.”

They are certainly football talented. East Hamilton is blessed with plenty of speed on each side of the ball, and it starts with Bullard, referred to as “our guy” by Reynolds in terms of offensive focus.

The three-year starter is coming off a junior season that featured more than 1,800 rushing yards, and he led the area in rushing touchdowns. His ability for big plays gives the Hurricanes reason to dream big — as long as they play big in the biggest moments.