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By CODY TOMER
SALINEVILLE--Southern Local increased its win total last year from the year before, but head coach Rich Wright knows there is still room for improvement.
Two years ago, the Indians turned in a 2-8 record and last season, they finished at a much-improved 4-6 mark, leaving the Southern Local faithful hopeful for the things to come.
"We have all of those kids from the last couple years still in the program," Wright said. "We have 39 kids on the roster and eight starters back on both sides of the ball, so we should be OK."
The Indians did lose 12 players to graduation last year but 10 seniors on the current roster should give Wright and the squad plenty of experience and leadership.
"We lost a starting lineman, two starting skill kids and a fullback," Wright said. "But we definitely have some experience coming back."
Southern Local is loaded at the skill positions, which could lead to a plethora of scoring opportunities and plenty of options for Wright's playbook.
Senior Tyler Milhoan will be taking the snaps at quarterback after missing half of the season last year because of transferring schools and senior tailback William Grodhaus, who played behind center until Milhoan was eligible a year ago, should get a full season of carrying the football. With Grodhaus running the ball every game, the Indians' offense could deliver some explosive numbers.
Other players who will be looking to handle the ball include sophomore running back Paxton Cataldo and senior tight end Joey Dickson. Sophomore Jayce Sloan is a valuable backup quarterback and will play linebacker, while sophomore Latrell Crute could also see time at tight end and defensive end.
"We are going to try to spread the ball around," Wright said. "I would like to think that depth at the skill positions is going to be our strength.We will probably only have one or two guys play both ways this year. Our rotation of players should be really good and we could probably get 24 or 25 guys to play every Friday night. We should have a big playbook and shouldn't be limited anywhere."
"We have two good wingbacks and I think we can rotate players so Grodhaus won't carry the load but we will count on him."
Providing some help for Grodhaus at tailback is senior Andre Sloan, along with senior fullback Robert Frank. Junior fullback Mac Sallee, sophomore fullbacks Cam Grodaus and Mark Soukup, along with sophomore running back Dylan Milhoan will also look to carry the ball.
Other key members of the offense who could provide excitement at the wide receiver position include seniors Dominic Pugliano, Dalton Ash, Bryce Allen; juniors Nick Eastham, Austin Roberts; and freshman Sean Sanchez.
In the trenches, the offensive and defensive lines for the Indians include seniors Anthony Abraham (G/NT) and Matt Paxton (T/NG), juniors Kurtis Hawke (G/NT), Austin Frischkorn (C/LB) and Logan Kmatz (G/NT), and sophomores Garrett Buston (G/DE), Brady Kellogg (T/NT), Dominic Pierson (T/DE), Kyle Young (G/DE), Jacob Spencer (T/NT) and Stephen Craig (C/NT).
Rounding out the freshman class are Bradly Sloan (RB/FS), Adam Wymer (QB/RB/S) and Hunter Morris (RB/LB).
"I don't usually talk about freshmen," Wright said. "But Bradley Sloan and Hunter Morris are a few freshmen who could really be special for us."
Wright put together a solid career of coaching at Beaver Local, where the Beavers often found themselves in the postseason and he followed that stint up with two playoff appearances at Wellsville. If history has anything to do with it, Wright and the Tribe could be playing come Week 11.
"I see no reason why we can't compete for a league championship," Wright said. "We have to stay healthy. If our key players can stay healthy, I see no reason why we can't play in Week 11."
Defense was a weakness from the 2016 team and Wright knows that has to be patched up for the current squad to have a chance at making a run.
"We didn't tackle last year," Wright said. "Until we start stopping people, it won't matter.
"We really need to get off to a good start so hopefully we will be ready."
Aug. 25: Bridgeport 7 p.m.
Sept. 1: Conotton Valley 7 p.m.
Sept. 8: Shenandoah 7 p.m.
Sept. 15: at Toronto 7 p.m.
Sept. 22: Lisbon 7 p.m.
Sept. 29: at East Palestine 7 p.m.
Oct. 6: United 7 p.m.
Oct. 13: at Wellsville 7 p.m.
Oct. 20: at Columbiana 7 p.m.
Oct. 27: Leetonia 7 p.m.
PREDICTION
Win 4, Lose 6
Seniors
Anthony Abraham, Bryce Allen, Dalton Ash, Joey Dickson, Robert Frank, William Grodaus, Tyler Milhoan, Matt Paxton, Dominic Pugliano, Andre Sloan.
Juniors
Nick Eastham, Austin Frischkorn, Kurtis Hawke, Logan Kmatz, Austin Roberts, Mac Sallee.
Sophomores
Garrett Buston, Paxton Cataldo, Stephen Craig, Latrell Crute, Cam Grodhaus, Brady Kellogg, Dylan Milhoan, Dominic Pierson, Jayce Sloan, Jacob Spencer, Mark Soukup, Kyle Young.
Freshmen
Hunter Morris, Sean Sanchez, Bradly Sloan, Adam Wymer.