Jacob Hamilton has started for the Jefferson football team long enough that he is working with a new starting quarterback for the third time.
A receiver and defensive back, Hamilton is now the man who has to be the leader for the Falcons.
"A lot of kids come to me for my experience," Hamilton said. "I've been doing it the longest. They can rely on me, I guess.
"(The coaches) expect me to lead the team and help the younger kids so they can be good for the next few years."
It's a role Hamilton has come to embrace.
"I enjoy it because when I graduate I don't want to see Jefferson drop off. I want to see them continue to have success."
A good deal of Hamilton's success will lie in the hands of his quarterback, Tony Chiacchiero. Building that relationship for a third time would seem to be a difficult task as Chiacchiero hasa different style from previous quarterback Connor Cleveland or even his predecessor, Colin Cicon.
Hamilton has a different take.
"It's not really difficult as it seems," he said. "We have open gyms through the year and we get used to each other, the way he throws and stuff."
Adjusting to those different styles, though, can be hard at times, too.
"That's pretty difficult," Hamilton said. "Connor would move around and buy you time. Tony gets it out quick.
"Tony gets it out quick. He throws the ball. Connor buys time and you have to go with it. If he decides to run, you've got to get out and block."
If it were up to Hamilton, he would have a quarterback who was a bit of a mix of the two.
"I kind of like to run and the ball is right there," he said. "A combination is good, though. Tony has a good combination."
Playing in the spread offense is a receiver's dream. They get the ball often and have every opportunity to make plays. But there's a hidden gem in playing the position, too.
"I get the ball a lot more (than in other offenses)," Hamilton said. "I get block. We get to crack down on people. It's so much fun."
There are reads to be made even in the blocking scheme for the receivers like Hamilton.
"When we're blocking, we run a bubble route and try to get the outside linebackers to go with us," Hamilton said. "If he's not following, we tell the coach and they throw us the ball. If we run to the outside, we have to run with them and lead them and find somebody to block."
Making reads in the passing game is somewhat easy for the Jefferson receivers.
"Coach (Jimmy Henson) likes to keep the routes simple so the timing stays good," Hamilton said. "If I'm in the slot, he likes me to get the linebacker to the inside so the outside receiver is open. That makes the reads easier."
Hamilton understands his role within the offense. He is supposed to give running back Scott Davidson room to operate. And that's to his liking.
"I'm one who wants to make plays," Hamilton said. "I want the ball. I want to help the team. I want to get the middle cleared for Scott. Scott's a workhorse. If we can get it so there are just six (defenders) in the box, Scott will have a good year."
Entering his third season as a starter, there's some unfinished business Hamilton wants to take care of.
"I definitely want to win the (All-American Conference)," he said. "The last two years, we've been close to the playoffs. I want to get there.
"I never got to play for a conference championship ain my career and I think that will be fun."
Hamilton's career has passed quickly.
"Time flies," he said. "There's nothing better than playing under those Friday night lights."
