ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - As Joshua Crabtree enters his third year at the helm for the Pleasant Grove Eagles, he is looking forward to a lot. 

Players that have slowly accumulated playing time and starts are at the point of their high school careers where they become the leaders of team that looks to improve upon a 4-7 record. 

Crabtree has spent the last couple of years building a winning culture at Pleasant Grove, and his roster is now able to cash in on that commitment. With top returning players like Cole Davis at quarterback, Maddox Ali at linebacker, Bobby Mitchell at running back and Roman Patterson on the defensive line, the Eagles bring back a wealth of experience in numerous spots. 

Top varsity newcomers Myles Houston (WR) and DJ Oropeza (RB) look to bolster the offense and have an immediate impact. 

This year’s Eagles squad will look to make their mark in the newest reiteration of the Delta Conference and will have their fair share of big-time matchups.

 With a slate full of Elk Grove schools on the schedule, there is a lot of excitement and anticipation leading into this season for Pleasant Grove.

Team strengths: Crabtree’s 2024 squad will be a deep one, as the Eagles will have a lot of depth in the upcoming season. Pleasant Grove returns 19 players that have starting experience. Recent years have seen Crabtree having to play many unexperienced players, but with starting experience under their belt, those players are ready for the moment. 

“For the first time in my three years here, I think we have legitimate depth, going two and three deep at just about every position,” Crabtree says. The linebacker unit will specifically bring depth to the defense. Maddox Ali will anchor the unit and will bring a lot of leadership along with him. 

Partnered with Lorenzo Fernandez, Marcus Taylor and Zach Barbieri, the Eagles linebacking core will be one that will bring defensive prowess this upcoming season. Pleasant Grove also returns a third-year varsity quarterback, Cole Davis, who will bring experience to the Eagles offensive this year. 

“He’s got a cannon of an arm. He’s got charisma; he’s got everything you need to be successful,” Crabtree said about his quarterback. Davis will have a lot of help at the wide receiver position, another unit that Crabtree is excited to see prosper this season. 

With multiple options at the receiver position, Davis will have a wealth of tools that will help the Eagles offensively.

Team unknowns: The Eagles will be looking to break in a new unit on the offensive line this year. Last year’s senior core of offensive linemen has graduated, and Pleasant Grove will look to develop some new talent along the offensive line. A plus will be that this new unit does have some starts under their belts and will be looking to build upon that experience. 

“We have kids that have a couple of starts here and there, that will be pushed into positions and as they develop and grow, it’s really going to dictate the trajectory of what our offense looks like. It’s a question mark, but something that I am excited to see as well,” Crabtree would go on to say. 

The front five may not have a ton of experience, but with tremendous potential, they will be a unit that will be looking to make a large stride in the 2024 campaign.

Overall outlook for this season: Pleasant Grove will be a part of an all-Elk Grove Unified league this season that will bring familiarity between teams. With the new Delta League in place, the Eagles will be seeing many familiar faces, which is sure to bring a lot of excitement for the upcoming season. 

“I think the community is excited about it and it’s going to leave no question, where whoever wins the Delta Conference is going to be able to pound their chest and say that they’re the best in Elk Grove, and that is a cool thing to have at stake,” Crabtree said regarding what he is looking forward to this season. 

Crabtree is also excited about the Eagles’ scrimmage against St. Mary’s in Stockton that will be sure to be a litmus test for where his team is at as they prepare for the opening kickoff. 

The Eagles will be looking to build upon their 2023 record and should make some strides with their 2024 squad.

*=Delta Conference game

8/23 vs. River City

8/30 @ Lodi

9/6 vs. Tokay

9/13 @ Lincoln

9/20 @ Sheldon*

10/4 vs. Monterey Trail*

10/11 @ Franklin*

10/18 @ Cosumnes Oaks*

10/25 vs. Elk Grove*

11/1 vs. Laguna Creek*