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WELLSBURG -- Potential. In Brooke County this summer, there's plenty of it. Plenty of experience, too.
Head coach Mac McLean enters his 10th season at the helm of the storied Bruins program with no fewer than 17 returning starters.
Potential abounded in 2022, too, with many returners and further bolstered following a 49-6 drubbing on the road at Ripley to start the season. The team started 2-0 after besting Indian Creek the following week, but key injuries began accumulating before the horn sounded against the Redskins and it only got worse.
The result saw Brooke finish 5-5 and miss out on the Class AAA postseason.
So, while yes, potential abounds again in Wellsburg, the theme for 2023 is staying healthy.
"I'm saying this in every interview--I think we can have a great year, as long as our health stays good and we don't have any unseen catastrophes," McLean admitted. "We have the numbers and the experience. We're not the biggest team, but we have enough size to take care of ourselves. But that doesn't mean anything until we go out and prove it."
Returning at quarterback yet again is dynamic senior Braelyn Sperringer. Much like the Bruins, Sperringer's 2022 started off at a ridiculous level. He threw for 188 yards and four touchdowns while tacking on two rushing scores against Ripley.
His second full year as a starter started brilliantly. The second game, however, not so much.
Coach Mac McLean discusses the season
"He broke his foot in Week 2 and missed five weeks," McLean recalled. "I think he came back and played in the last three games. It's great to have him back though, absolutely. We're a much better team when he's on the field.
"He's a great leader in the classroom and on the field and we're excited for his senior year."
Sperringer's younger brother will serve as the understudy under center. The younger Sperringer piloted the Brins to a 14-7 win against Marietta last season, throwing for 133 yards and a touchdown.
Seniors Gavin Moore and Jace Campinelli will be the primary ball carriers, with Moore seeing more time split out as a receiver in base formations. McLean is excited about junior Dante
Tulenko, who will add some wrinkles in the backfield along with senior Camden Vain.
The team's two leading receivers are back again to give the Sperringers reliable targets to look for in seniors Anthony Bachinski and Gus Gilbert. Bachinski totaled 524 receiving yards while Gilbert finished with 354 and five touchdowns. Senior Coltan Palmer will see some passes his way, as will Garrett Hornick. Also look for Owen Haught and Ethan Fisher to provide some depth on the perimeter.
Up front, senior Bryce Bateman is taking snaps at both center and guard after "doing a really good job" at center as a junior according to McLean. The team's biggest lineman, senior Joey Clem is returning from offseason ACL surgery and might not be available until Weeks 2 or 3.
His presence once healthy will be invaluable.
Chase Felouzis is back and slotted in at tackle while senior Mason Rees also returns at guard.
Opposite-side tackle Blake Cole is entering his third year as a starter.
"He's shown the most improvement (up front) over the years," McLean said. Depth will be provided by John Baricska, along with sophomores Marcus Reed, Jude Blake, and Harley Morris.
The line is decent sized, but not mammoth from tackle to tackle. But it's experience and agile, which factors perfectly into the Bruins' offensive schemes.
"We'll spend a lot of time spreading teams out with Sperringer and this group of athletes," McLean said. "We'll get our guys the ball in space and make our opponents defend the whole field. This isn't the biggest line we've had, but they are mobile and experienced."
The defensive side of the ball also returns plenty of talent, but has to deal with the loss of stalwarts like Blake Shorts, Logan Gaschler, and Tanner Griffith. That's two quality defensive linemen and a linebacker that must be replaced.
Brooke featured a solid defense last season and McLean believes that effort can be improved upon.
"I think we can pick up where we left off," McLean said. "I think we were sixth in the final rankings in Class AAA and I want to do better this season."
Anchoring this year's defense is senior Tyler Wise at defensive end for his third year as a starter.
Mason Reese returns at defensive tackle. McLean is hoping to two-platoon the front wall and get some development for some of the younger linemen in camp like Slater Schroeder, Reed, and Blake along with Morris.
Garrett Moore returns at linebacker after posting an outstanding season on the second level. He'll move between linebacker and strong safety, depending on formations. Gavin Moore will excel as well, along with Darion Hilton and Tulenko, who looked good in passing scrimmages.
Triston Stevens played well as a sophomore in 2022 at a defensive back and McLean is looking for even more improvement there. Pachinski returns in the secondary, as does Gilbert. Both Sperringers could be fixtures in the secondary as well.
The schedule received a boost with the additions of Watkins Memorial and perennial West Virginia power Bridgeport.
"The key will be playing like a mature, confident football team," McLean said. "It's cliche, but we have to play one game at a time and deal with adversity as it comes. If we do that, and experience a little luck, it'll be a good season."
That season opens Thursday, Aug. 31 at Indian Creek.