With 18 starters returning for the 2024 season — nine on both sides of the ball — the Hamlin Pied Pipers look primed to take a big step forward after finishing 5-5 in Jason Botos’ inaugural season as head coach at the school.

But those aren’t even the numbers that excite Botos the most.

“We have 44 kids this summer,” Botos said as preseason workouts were winding down earlier this month. “It makes practice so much better when you have numbers.”