By Don Ketchum

Conrad Hamilton has been to the top of the football mountain, serving as defensive coordinator for a Scottsdale Chaparral team that won back-to-back Class 5A Division II state championships in 2009-10.

Now he faces a new challenge as a rookie head coach at Phoenix North Canyon.

The Rattlers recently completed spring drills and Hamilton came away optimistic, particularly with the depth and athleticism at the skill positions.

“Things have been going well,’’ Hamilton said. “There has been a lot of change. There has been upheaval in terms of the coaching staff. But I would say our future looks bright. We are not big, but we have got a lot of speed and a lot of talent.’’

Hamilton likely will have a few of his former defensive colleagues at Chaparral join his staff.

The Rattlers will have a solid group of returnees. Among them are receiver-kick returner Jamar Allah, who is being watched closely by college scouts; running back-linebacker Tyler Ellenberger, receiver-defensive back Kye Russell, running back-linebacker Austin Sargeant and receiver-defensive back Stokley Session.

“Those are the main guys who will have to step it up on the field and with leadership,’’ Hamilton said.

Hamilton, who was a defensive back in the NFL for six seasons with the New York Giants and Atlanta, is looking forward to seeing how his players work when North Canyon participates in seven-on-seven passing competition at Northern Arizona University, Arizona State, and in Surprise at a series tied to the Arizona Football Coaches Association All-Star games.

“We’re on pace,’’ Hamilton said. “We want to hit our stride at the end of the month (June) at Surprise.’’

North Canyon finished 7-4 last season under Hamilton’s predecessor, Brian Cole, and fell to Gilbert Mesquite in the first round of the Class 5A Division I playoffs.

The fall of 2011 brings a clean slate with realignment. North Canyon will be in Division I, Section III, with these teams: Mesa Mountain View, Glendale Mountain Ridge, Phoenix Desert Vista, Mesa Red Mountain, Phoenix Mountain Pointe, Phoenix Pinnacle, Mesa Westwood, Anthem Boulder Creek, Scottsdale Desert Mountain, Mesa, Phoenix Sandra Day O’Connor and Phoenix Brophy Prep.

It will be a challenge, for sure, but nothing from which Hamilton will back away.