Often, a coach relies on a veteran, versatile offensive line to help bring along young and inexperienced running backs.

In his 43rd year of coaching, Chuck Wagner has to deal with it the other way around.

A young, inexperienced line, he hopes, will be brought along by a versatile corps of running backs, led by senior Nathan Zurisko (6-2, 195). Joining him at running back will be fellow senior Brian Zoller (5-9, 175) and junior Adam Shepherd (5-8, 180).

Zurisko is the featured back and is considered a combination power and breakaway back as well as an excellent receiver.

Shepherd is quick and impresses Wagner with his ability to make cuts. Zoller lacks the speed of the other two, but makes it up by being a patient and intelligent runner.

"Having those three guys varying in running styles is a great luxury because it makes the defense have to concentrate in a more complete manner," said Wagner, who is entering his 15th year at Springdale.

The young offensive line will be anchored by junior guard Bill Dugan (6-1, 260). He will aid newcomers to the line, senior Matt Drolz (6-2, 245), junior Jacob Hamorsky (6-0, 250) and sophomore Joe Ober (6-3, 220).

"[Dugan] is the leader up front and the veteran," Wagner said. "I think the other linemen will look to him for leadership, and he gives it to them quite well especially in regards in his ability to play hard-nosed football."

Springdale returns eight defensive starters and four on offense from a team that went 6-5 and lost to Rochester in the quarterfinals of the playoffs.

Having the task of replacing three-year starter Beau Citrone, a 1,000-yard passer from last season, will be sophomore Brian Shemenski (6-3, 170).

"He has made an awful lot of progress in the offseason," Wagner said. "He is a good student of the game and has made a very strong commitment."

Wagner points to the deep running game as a way to take a lot of pressure off Shemenski in his first year as a starter.

With twice as many returning starters, the defense is expected to be the Dynamos' strength. Four returning linebackers lead the way including seniors Ryan Hohman (6-3, 190), Aaron Figore (6-2, 200) and Zoller.

Zurisko and Shepherd are joined in the secondary by another returning starter, junior Greg Arch (6-3, 180). Shemenski and senior Alan Rivera (5-9, 150) also will get a look at free safety.

North Catholic

Bob Ravenstahl hopes his five returning linemen and a young tailback will be enough to keep his team in contention in the rugged Big Seven Conference.

Gone is last year's captain, two-year starter and second-team All-Big Seven Conference quarterback Aaron Smetanka, from a 5-5 North Catholic team that made its first playoff appearance since 2001. That was Ravenstahl's first season on the job. The quarterback job will be either senior Francis Ramsden or freshman Martin Long.

Ramsden is the more polished of the two, but at 6-1, Long fits more in the mold of Smetanka.

"Long is more on the lines of Aaron," Ravenstahl said. "He has nice feet and is a little more versatile, but he has a lot to learn. I would say Francis is your straight dropback passer."

Junior wideout Matt Long (6-2, 190) is a threat. Long was a first-team all-conference defensive back last season. Josh Wentz (5-7, 150) also returns as a starter at wide receiver along with tight end Robert Bailie (6-0, 200).

The five returning offensive linemen average 6 feet and 212 pounds and include all-conference Kermitt Currie, a senior. Juniors Ethan Stehle and Joe Long will play alongside senior linemen Jonathan Pavlecic and Kerrigan Sweeney.

After bursting on the scene as a freshman last year, sophomore Matt Fedzen (5-10, 175) should handle the bulk of the carries.

"Fedzen is very talented and we gave him the ball a little bit every game," Ravenstahl said. "By the last game, he was our best running back. He has natural instincts and ability."

Ravenstahl has been pleased with the turnout for the summer program and the start of training camp, as 52 players turned out -- an above-average number for a single-A school.

Avonworth

Waynesburg College has nearly as many recent Avonworth graduates on its football team as Avonworth has returning offensive starters.

Three-year starters Josh Graham, the quarterback, and Zack Fatigante, the tight end, graduated in June and will play for Waynesburg.

In their place, third-year coach Jason Kekseo has a lot of young players and a few question marks. Despite losing nine starters, Kekseo does not want to hear talk of rebuilding.

"We are starting from scratch but I don't believe in rebuilding years. You adjust your game plan to fit the talent you have," Kekseo said.

It shouldn't be too hard to adjust an offense around junior running back Khiry Watts. A 5-9, 196-pound junior, he has incredible speed and strength and will lead the offense.

When Watts went down last season with an injury, Zach Mihalko (5-9, 180) a senior tailback/wide receiver, stepped up and filled in.

The loss of seniors from last year also included fullback Al Okinski and linemen Ben Werley and Rich Roup, who were part of a front group that averaged 260 pounds. This year's group will be noticeably smaller.

They will be anchored by senior Jeff Hammitt (6-3, 220), who has been in the mix since his freshman year.

In the secondary, Matt Richardson (5-9, 178), a junior free safety, will join the starters. Junior linebacker Justin Olinski (5-9, 190) is back.

Avonworth went 3-6 last year, including a 1-5 mark in the Big Seven Conference.