The Kansas City Chiefs have announced their Coach of the Week honors for the second week of the season. The awards go to Pleasant Hill High School coach Justin Hamilton (Missouri) and Piper High School coach Rick Pollard (Kansas).
As a result of this honor, both schools will receive a $500 player health and safety grant from the Hunt Family Foundation. Additionally, both coaches will be presented congratulatory footballs autographed by Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid and a certificate recognizing their selection. Both coaches are now qualified for the Eric Driskell Coach of the Year Award, which will be voted on later this fall. The Eric Driskell Coach of the Year Award is selected by a panel comprised of the Missouri and Kansas Boards from the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association.
Pleasant Hill topped rival Harrisonville 49-42 to move to 3-0 on the season. The Roosters have been much improved in Hamilton's second season, going 2-8 in his first year after an 0-10 2019 before Hamilton arrived.
"We are honored to have our program recognized by the Kansas City Chiefs," Hamilton said. "This recognition is indicative of the effort of our assistant coaches in preparing our team each and every week, along with the work our kids have put in each and every day since last November to get better. I would be remiss if I also didn't mention that this award is also a representation of the tremendous amount of support our program receives from our administration, parents, and the Pleasant Hill community. I am proud to be able to accept this award on behalf of our football program and would like to thank the Kansas City Chiefs organization for recognizing the efforts of our kids, coaches, administration, parents, and community in 'Raising the Bar' of Pleasant Hill Football."
Piper beat Eudora 26-23 on a final-second touchdown pass from midfield in one of the most exciting wins of the season so far. The Pirates' win moves them to 2-0 on the season.
"I am very thankful for the award," Pollard said. "This award shows how much work our players and staff have put into getting better on a daily basis. Our program from bottom to top has continued to grow and this just shows that we are heading in the right direction. Hopefully as we continue to develop our young kids and develop a sense of family in the community, our program will continue to reach new heights."
In its 25th season, the 2021 High School Coach of the Week is a joint initiative of the Kansas City Chiefs and the National Football League. This program is designed to recognize and reward Kansas City area high school coaches for superior performance on a weekly basis while honoring individuals who are shaping today's youth and tomorrow's leaders.
The Kansas City Chiefs partner with PrepsKC to select Coaches of the Week from Missouri and Kansas each week. PrepsKC is the only complete multimedia coverage of high school football in the Kansas City Metro. For the last 12 years it has combined a dynamic web site, weekly magazine and comprehensive weekly radio show. More information about PrepsKC, including scores, schedules and coverage can be found at www.prepskc.com.
