Healthy Huskies ready to turn it around?

There weren't enough substitutes to keep a lot of young kids from gaining experience for Hersey.

It wasn't easy as the injury-ravaged Huskies endured the first winless season in their history.

But now there are reinforcements with a significantly larger roster of 52 players ready to start a successful restoration project.

"These guys get it now," said Hersey coach Mark Gunther. "They understand the speed of the game and there's a hunger there you just can't instill.

"These guys are starting from the ground up and are proud to be building in a new direction."

Junior Steve Nelson finished 1 games at quarterback last year. He's a running threat in the shotgun and has improved his passing.

"He's a playmaker," Gunther said. "He's an intense competitor."

Nelson is complemented at running back by Chris Polinski and St. Viator transfer Dominic Biagini. Senior Kyle Mengarelli didn't play last year but is an athletic receiving threat and tight end Joe Koziol is one of the Huskies' best all-around players.

Right guard James O'Sullivan, who went out in the fourth game because of injury last year, is the only senior up front. But the entire unit has varsity starting experience.

One of the biggest benefits to the number increase will be using players both ways only in special situations. Senior safety Anthony Maginity played all last year and leads the secondary.

Gunther likes the aggressiveness of linebackers Tim Lukas, Jake Knauss and Rich Kostuchowski. Juniors Grant Reed and Adam Wolotowsky have varsity experience up front.

"Now it's time to reap the rewards of their efforts and of their sacrifices," Gunther said. "They love to work and compete. It shows up right away."

Which Hersey hopes shows up in the win column.