Muscle Connection H.S. Football Preview: Southern Local

Southern Local Indians | Players: 40 | Offense: 6 | Defense: 8 | Seniors: 5

The Southern Local football team is counting on some new faces to keep the program moving in the right direction after going 5-5 last year.

The Indians are hoping to reload and make a run at the postseason for the first time since 2010. 

"We lost a great senior class. But being year four, I think we've improved every year and we really got a good junior class and I think we'll compete really well in the league," said coach Rich Wright  

The Indian's return six players on offense and will rely heavily on its skill position players.  

"Jayce Sloan, he played in five games at quarterback last year, is going to be a junior.  Cam Grodhaus scored 14 touchdowns last year as a sophomore,  he'll be our slot receiver.  Dylan Milhoan had 230 yards rushing last year and will have to replace Will Grodhaus.  We were fortunate enough that River Pappas moved into our district, he's a three-year starter from Edison Local.  He's 5'9", 230 pounds probably will run a 4.8 forty and will be our fullback."  

Even with the number of playmakers on offense,  coach Wright believes the team's strength lies in its defense.

"Hunter Morris was only a freshman last year, he started at 10 games for us last year.  Steven Richards, a 6'4", 320-pound nose guard is going to be a junior, he started every game for us.  Then we got Brad Sloan who was a freshman last year, started all 10 games for us, he's back at free safety for us."

Coach Wright believes the team's success will all come down to finishing games.

"We got to close out games. Last year in the fourth quarter, three of the five games we lost we were leading with four or five minutes to go in the game. We just didn't finish them out, we got to be able to do that," Wright said.

The Indians are looking to win the season opener for the third straight year, they host Edison on August 24.