Years as Head Coach
3rd Season

Previous Experience
Five years as head coach at Yamhill Carton HS in Oregon

Assistant Coaches
DC/DB’s- Dustin Meddelin
DL- Justin Maddux
LB- Sean Clements
WR- Tyler Bellnap
OL- Mark Asper
OL- Jordan Long
RB- Black Phippen
TE- Mike Bartell

Record Last Year
5-4

State Titles
2008, 2018

Returning Players
We return eight starters on offense and seven on defense. Several players have been starters since they were sophomores and we are a very senior heavy team.



QB- Peyton King SN… Entering third year as starting QB. State track qualifier. Dynamic with his legs and an improving passer. Has 19 varsity starts under his belt.



RB- Trason Keller SN… Split time at RB last season but was leading rusher for the team. Had a great team camp this summer. Another great track runner with break away speed.



OL- Cole Maddux SN… Entering his third year as a starting OL. 6’2 270. Legit 450+ squatter. The anchor of the offensive line.



WR- Sheldon Nelson SN… All area as a slot receiver last year. Small physically, but dynamic with the ball in his hands.



DB -Braxton Battleson SN… One of the fastest track runners in the state. Third year starter. Best cover guy we have and an “offensive weapon”.

Key Players lost from last year
Braden Crystal- DL… Was the anchor of our defensive line. All area first team. Three year starter.

Ace Ferguson- DB… Our best man to man cover guy we had. Extremely physical and strong for a corner.

Incoming impact players
Jace Jeudy- LB/WR, JR… Jace is a big, physical linebacker and receiver. He dominated games at the JV level last year while seeing limited time on varsity. He should see plenty of time on each side of the ball this fall.

Written by: Marlowe Hereford

Hillcrest has been tabbed a team to watch by Scott Berger, head coach of the three-time defending 4A state champion Skyline Grizzlies.

The Knights, who went 5-5 last season and reached the first round of the 4A state playoffs, return experience on both sides of the ball.

"Several players have been starters since they were sophomores and we are a very senior heavy team," third-year head coach Brennon Mossholder said.

Offensively, the Knights return quarterback Peyton King (senior), running back Trason Keller (senior), offensive lineman Cole Maddux, wide receiver Sheldon Nelson (senior) and have eight total returning starters.

"This should be the year we put it all together on offense," Mossholder said. "We have five offensive starters who are starting their third straight year on varsity. We have four offensive linemen over 225 pounds and are all extremely strong. Our backs and receivers are all extremely athletic and having Peyton back as a third-year starting quarterback is huge."

Mossholder added that the Knights aim to improve opening drives and first quarter performances this fall.

Defensively, the Knights return seven starters including senior defensive back Braxton Battleson, who qualified for the 4A state track championships in May in the 100, 200 and 4x200, and senior middle linebacker Brock Hopkins.

"The DL and DB groups both have guys that have played a ton of varsity football and are another year bigger, stronger and faster," Mossholder said.

He said that the Knights will work to force more turnovers this season. He added that Hillcrest is looking forward to having its own football field this fall after sharing Thunder Stadium with Bonneville for home games since Hillcrest opened in 1992.

The biggest question Mossholder said there is for this season is, can Hillcrest live up to expectations?

"For two years, we have been underdogs in most every game we played and that likely won't be the case this fall," Mossholder said.

He added that Shelley is a team on the rise within 4A District 6.

"They will be young up front, but have good athletes all over the field," Mossholder said. "Coach (Josh) Wells is as prepared as anyone and always has his kids ready to play."