With many starters back, Plainfield looks to take next step

Find your role. Be accountable. Set the bar high.

Those are the three pillars Brian Woodard and his Plainfield High School football team are building the 2020 season on.

The Quakers finished last season with a 5-5 mark, but bring back talent and wealth at a few positions, according to Woodard.

Offensively, Plainfield brings back seven starts in its spread formation. Senior Aiden Moyers is back under center. A season ago, he was 74-of-102 for 872 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions through the air. Cael Vanderbush, a junior, will back up Moyers at quarterback and also start at wide receiver. Last season, he rushed 51 times for 382 yards and five touchdowns at the quarterback position.

Also back is wide receiver Noah Hessong, who reeled in 31 receptions for 357 yards and two touchdowns last season.

Up front, Dillon Ponder, a two-year starter, will be a crucial part of the offensive line, which also brings back Jason Smith at tackle, along with guards Jacob Byrd and Thomas Hayes, both of whom have experience.

Plainfield brings back seven starts defensively from a 3-4 set that allowed 204 yards on the ground and 130 through the air last season.

Sam Trent and Bailey Haston, both seniors, are the most experienced as they each have two years experience.

Woodard said that Plainfield has some areas they have to fill coming into the season.

“We have to find some bodies that can play along our offensive and defensive lines and not just starters, but guys that can add depth at those positions. I like our skilled guys, but if you can’t win the war in the trenches, nothing else really matters,” Woodard said.