Outside of the Kellis locker room and weight room it’s the year after the Cougars’ breakthrough football season, and the attention has moved elsewhere.

Kellis has new starters everywhere except the offensive line, running back and linebacker. All but two coaches are new.

Yet the returning players like where new coach Chris Miranda and his staff are leading the program, and they’re determined to remain a 5A playoff team.

“We have big shoes to fill with the senior class that left, but us being left out of the rankings and everyone doubting us has made us push harder,” senior linebacker Rocky Warner said.

Miranda’s former Peoria High teammate Devin Yabo is the Cougars’ linebackers and strength coach, as well as a co-defensive coordinator with cornerbacks coach Rob Allen.

Former Panthers

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