As Hamlin looks to build on the momentum created last season, when it went 6-4 and earned a playoff berth for the first time in four years, coach Jason Botos is cautiously optimistic that the Pied Pipers will be even more formidable this fall.

For one thing, Botos has eight starters returning on offense and another nine on the defensive side of the ball. That means that a majority of the players who finally pushed the team into the playoffs are back — and, as Botos noted, eager to build on 2024’s success.

Also helping the cause is the Pied Pipers’ stable of offensive and defensive backs, which are among the best the team has fielded in recent memory.