Hamlin has been one of the area’s most successful football teams the last two years, winning 12 games in each of the last two seasons. The Pied Pipers went 12-3 in 2019, reaching the Class 2A Division II state title game where they lost to Mart at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Last year, Hamlin captured the District 6-2A Division crown with a 4-0 mark and was unbeaten before losing 31-28 to Muenster in the regional semifinals.
Chris Evans comes from Wheeler to take over as the new Pied Pipers coach this year, replacing long-time coach Russell Lucas who left for Sweetwater. Evans knows something about the Hamlin’s successful teams in recent years. His Wheeler teams faced the Pied Pipers several times, including a loss to Hamlin in the state quarterfinals in 2019.
It will be rebuilding job for Evans in 2021, however, as the Pied Pipers return only three starters on offense and just one on defense from last year’s squad that was ranked among the state’s best all season. Evans knows it is time for a number of younger players to step up.
One of those is sophomore RB/LB Clay Rister, who had 18 carries for 80 yards and two touchdowns rushing in limited action as a freshman a year ago.
Junior LB Colton Spaulding (89 tackles, 1 sack) will anchor the Hamlin defense.
Senior Benson Larson (4 tackles) and junior Nicolas Walker (8 tackles) are returning starters on the offensive line. Evans must find a new quarterback to direct the Pied Pipers offense after graduating a three-year starter as the team’s signal-caller.
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