MANDATA - Every team needs a rebuilding year.
At Line Mountain, no one is using that term, but the facts are undeniable. Eight starters are gone from the offense, nine from the defense. Add some reserves and underclassmen who didn't return and it's a much different team than the one that went 8-3 last year.
That just means there are more opportunities for the younger players this year, in what head coach Rodney Knock said could be a more rewarding year because of the amount of teaching he and his staff are doing this year.
After inheriting a veteran group in his first season, Knock sure has his work cut out for him this year.
"We don't have the varsity experience we've had here the last three years with kids who played at the varsity level on Friday nights for a significant number of snaps," Knock said. "But, with that being said, it's not an excuse. The kids have been working really hard. The underclassmen, we have about 20 juniors, are looking at this as an opportunity to finally turn the page because they've got progressively better over the last couple years. They worked really hard all winter, and they want to take that next step.
"The couple seniors we have are good kids and strong leaders. That mixture of leadership and work ethic, there's no reason we can't have the type of season we've had here for many years."
Knock needs to replace starting quarterback Cole Rickert, who in just one season as a starter, showed mastery of Line Mountain's complicated veer-option attack.
Rickert ran for 451 yards and threw for more than 1,000 yards.
In his place steps junior Ryan Reed. He played late in five games last year as the backup for both Rickert and Codi Morris, who started when Rickert was out with an injury. In that limited time, Reed gained 88 yards on nine carries, scoring once, and completed one pass in the Eagles' opener.
"I'm trying to get Ryan to relax and I told him that things are going to go wrong, and that he has to forget about it and do the right thing the next time," Knock said. "And that's what he's been doing. He's just working on his consistency now. We'll get there with work."
Looking to help Reed is returning fullback Cory Warford, who rushed for 523 yards and scored six touchdowns. He'll be featured much more this season.
Junior Hunter Hojnacki takes over at tailback. As a sophomore, he gained 78 yards on 20 carries.
Both Warford (5-11, 220 pounds) and Hojnacki (5-9, 200) bulked up in the offseason in anticipation of an increased workload.
"I like my backs to be able to play fullback and tailback and play receiver, too. I'll be able to move them," Knock said.
Kyle Rebuck will fill in at running back and the Eagles are still looking for a fourth player to fit in there.
Paving the way are the other two returners on offense. Senior Rayce Boyer and junior Elijah Zablosky will anchor the line from the left side. Zablosky (6-1, 220) will be at tackle and Boyer (5-11, 210) at guard. Hunter Masser (5-10, 200), Clint Riehl (5-9, 200) and freshman Garrett Kieffer (6-4, 245) fill out the line from center to right tackle.
The possibilities for wideout are multiple. As many as five players - Justin Michael, Garrett Hepner, Zach Bobb, John Yerger and Cameron Newman - are in the mix for the strong side. All are juniors and range in size from Hepner at 6-1 to Newman at 5-5.
The back-side receiver position is between Brendan Renn (6-1, 195) and Logan Snyder (6-1, 160).
"We have some competition this year," Knock said. "That could be a reason they're making some of the mental mistakes, because they feel the pressure behind them. We haven't had competition like this for the last couple years."
Coltin Gaw is the frontrunner to replace all-state tight end Erik Smeltz.
The offense has shown flashes of cohesion, but used the two weeks of camp to gel more.
"Right now, we're just trying to get the reps and get the kids used to what we're running," Knock said. "When we were up at camp at Lycoming, we looked smooth offensively."
With just 38 players on the roster from ninth to 12th grade, many of the same names will be called upon on the defensive side of the ball.
The defensive line will need to replace all-area player Nick Strohecker, but senior Kyle Lower (6-2, 315) was a pleasant surprise in 2012 and has a year experience now. Zablosky and Kieffer will work into the rotation somewhere.
Warford and Boyer will be the inside linebackers, while Gaw and Hojnacki will be on the outside.
Just like at receiver, there are a number of players listed as possibilities in the secondary.
In practice, Warford has been the most consistent kicker.