There are plenty of things to worry an avid Wellington football fan.
The Crusaders have a whole new backfield, the toughest schedule in two decades, and an ongoing problem of a "lack of size."
But Linn Hibbs, embarking on his 15th year as the Wellington head football coach, believes the character of the team has been as good as it has ever been.
"Everything has been all positive," Hibbs said. "The kids are working hard and the toughness is there."
Quarterback
The ultimate question, as is the case with any football team, is quarterback and Wellington most certainly is no exception.
After two years of two players vying for the quarterback spot, the starting position is firmly in the hands of Ryan Jenkins (171, jr.).
"It's no secret that for us to have success, we have to have him play well," Hibbs said.
Jenkins will be more of a pocket passer. He has good arm strength, but has only average speed. But with the running backs surrounding him, it may not matter anyway.
"We never go into any game with a set number of running and passing plays," Hibbs. "Whatever it takes to move the ball. Jenkins has to be ready when we come across a defense that is not allowing us to run the ball."
Backing up Jenkins are a pair of sophomore passers: Colan Macias and Alex Weiss.
Running back
Wellington appears to be rich in depth at this position, and probably one reason why the Crusaders will be using less spread formations this fall.
Taylan Ybarra (211, jr.) is a big boy and is the nucleus of the offense. He has power and speed. He will running behind Chris Fair (175, sr.) who has been moved from the offensive line to fullback.
It's a bit unusual that blocking fullback is smaller than the tailback, but that's just the evolutionary trends of WHS football.
"Chris was starting on the offensive line," Hibbs said. "But we felt we have enough depth there that we could move him out and make him our primary blocking back."
Hibbs plans to rotate a bevy of backs in and out. Some of the players you'll see in the lineup will be Austin Lloyd (174, so.), Tyler Baum (151, jr.) and Colton Day (159, so.).
"We (coaches) have to do a good job of substituting, because it's essential in keeping people fresh," Hibbs said.
Wide receivers
Losing the Edwards twins really hurt at that position considering they racked up 901 combined yards between them.
But Wellington has enough athletes at that position that Wellington can absorb the loss, Hibbs said.
Levi Anderson (180, sr.) has been designated by Hibbs as the No. 1 go-to guy. Anderson caught 10 passes for 138 yards for a 13.8 average.
Also manning the wideout is Robby Whaley (137, sr.) Dylan Heath (210, sr.), Zach Parent (137, jr.), Cody Martin (148, jr.) and Chaney Stallbaumer (152, jr.).
Tight ends
The tight end position will include five primary players — three, who will be playing receiving roles: Dray Meridith (169, sr.), Bryar Moore (182, jr.) and Dillon Cypert (149, jr.). Two blocking tight ends will be Luke Venn (162, sr.) and Cameron McCorkle (157, sr. ).
Offensive line
The line is the most experienced of any position Wellington has.
Wellington brings back three of the five starters.
Garrett Wilson (239, sr.) will hold down the middle as a second-year starter. Connor Vaughn (222, jr.) and Chris Loughmiller (176, so.) will be the reserves.
The starting tackles will include Zach Floyd (190, jr.) and James Loughmiller (202, sr.). Zach Troutman (190, sr.), Garrett Murphy (324, jr.) and Austin Treft (212, jr.) will be the reserves.
The starting guards include Jace Rausch (224, sr.) and Vaughn. Curtis Defore (184, sr.), Tyler Turner (278, jr.) and Noah Wolff (177, so.) will be reserves.
Defensive tackles
Hibbs said this may be Wellington's most uncertain position. On Friday night Wilson and Murphy may be starting there, but that could change.
Turner, Anthony Heckart (175, jr.), Trenton Maloney (230, jr.) Keith Lloyd (264, sr.), Floyd, and Treft are reserves at that position.
"We need someone to come in here and really step it up," Hibbs said.
Defensive ends
Look for Loughmiller and Rausch to start with Wilson, Troutman and Wolff coming in as reserves. Heath may also come in after playing outside linebacker in 2010.
Linebackers
Wellington swaggers at this position. Day and Meridith both return as Wellington's two leading tacklers in 2009. Day had 184.5 tackles to Meridith's 176.
Meridith plays outside along with Venn. Coming in reserves will be Cypert, Martin, Parent and Jason Haydon (139, so.). Inside, Meridith will be assisted by Fair. Other players who could be seeing playing time are McCorkle, Lloyd, Ian Stallbaumer (143, so.) and Tonner Finch (147, so.).
Defensive backfield
Anderson will be a starting cornerback with Ybarra, Whaley, Jenkins, Drake Saffell (143, jr.) and Stallbaumer seeing playing time.
At the free safety position Moore will start with Weiss and Andrew Linnebur (167, so.) coming in as reserves.
Special teams
Mikey Collins (257, sr.) will return as Wellington's field goal kicker having kicked two field goals and 23 PATs.
He will also be doing kickoffs.
The punting situation is still left in the air. Moore and C. Stallbumer will switch off until one is established, Hibbs said. Whaley, Anderson, Ybarra and Anderson could do the deep snaps.
