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By RON JOHNSTON
BEVERLY -- Fort Frye took a major graduation hit on the gridiron.
Seventeen football players from last year's school history-making 12-1 team received their diplomas in the spring.
"Twelve of those guys were starters, too," 10th-year coach Eric Huck said. "Since I've been coach, I think that's the most I've ever had graduate from a team."
Some of those grads were Casey Lewis, Clay Baker, Brady Carpenter, Garrett Lochary, Leithon Stewart, Jacob Prichard, Colton Sampson, Owen Matheny, Levi Bickford, and Jordan Baker.
But don't shed any tears for Huck and the Cadets, because they're expected to be good again -- maybe even real good.
"I sure hope so," Huck said. "We've got a lot of younger kids on the team this year, and it's just a matter of how fast they progress and develop. I think they're going to be really good down the road."
Fort Frye's first preseason scrimmage was at Morgan High on Aug. 8. The Cadets and Raiders each had two scores.
"They did well, but we've still got a lot of work to do," Huck said.
The Cadets were without three key players in their first exhibition -- junior quarterback Tate Engle, senior running back Tyler Bradford, and senior lineman Logan Isner. As Beverly/Lowell American Legion baseball players, their summer campaign just finished up at the Great Lakes Regional in Toledo on Aug. 3.
Engle, Bradford, and Isner saw their first scrimmage action against Southern on Aug. 12.
Having Engle back is a huge plus. The junior standout is also projected to play in the defensive secondary.
Sophomore Brady Schilling, who started at QB in the first scrimmage, and freshman Brian Adkins will be Engle's backups. Right now, Schilling will probably be one of Engle's receiving targets.
Braden Henniger and Caden Fryman are a couple of other wideout candidates.
In the backfield, look for Bradford, Evan Schob, and Isiah Jones to take handoffs from Engle. All three are good-sized football players.
"Our running backs might be even bigger than our linemen," Huck said jokingly.
In the trenches, Tyson Miller and Zach Schilling are returnees at the right guard and center positions, respectively.
Isner didn't play last year, but when he was a sophomore, he lined up at left guard.
The other line candidates are Dradeen Hart (tight end), Hunter Stoffel (left guard), Cameron Camp (right tackle), Austin Baumgartner (right tackle), Jesse McLeod (tight end), and Tyler Fisher.
Last season, Fisher was listed as a running back/defensive back.
"He was actually out of position then," Huck said. "So, we've moved him to the line."
Many will be playing on both sides of the ball.
"We want our best out there," Huck said.
While Fort Frye has gone two straight seasons undefeated in regular-season play, Huck believes that the Pioneer Valley Conference will be very competitive this upcoming fall.
"Shenandoah and Monroe Central should both be there," Huck said.
Aug. 25: Belpre 7 p.m.
Sept. 1: Northridge 7 p.m.
Sept. 8: at Waterford 7 p.m.
Sept. 15: Warren 7 p.m.
Sept. 22: at Monroe Central 7 p.m.
Sept. 29: at Frontier 7 p.m.
Oct. 6: at Barnesville 7 p.m.
Oct. 13: Caldwell 7 p.m.
Oct. 20: at Shenandoah 7 p.m.
Oct. 27: Steubenville Catholic 7 p.m.
PREDICTION
Win 7, Lose 3
Seniors
Tyler Ball, Tyler Bradford, Cameron Camp, Nick Grosklos, Braden Henniger, Logan Isner, Jesse McLeod, Tyson Miller, Zach Schilling, Joshua Zwick
Juniors
Austin Baumgartner, Tate Engle, Brenden Huck, Tim Prichard, Anthony Rhodes, Evan Schob, Kadin Six, Colby Sleek, Hunter Stoffell, Draeden Turner
Sophomores
Tyler Fisher, Caden Fryman, Isiah Jones, Gabe Pritchett, Wilson Sauls, Brady Schilling