Hampshire's goal same as always: win a conference title

Hampshire will be a young football team this season, but inexperienced shouldn't be mistaken for noncompetitive in the case of the Whip-Purs.

After missing the playoffs in 2009 for the second time in three seasons, Hampshire looks to rebound with the help of the 15 juniors and three sophomores among its roster of 33.

"We've only got a handful of seniors on the team starting on both sides of the ball, so we're going to be real young again," 22nd-year coach Dan Cavanaugh said. "But we certainly expect to make the playoffs this year and be up there in the conference. That's always our goal going in, and I don't see why we should change it with this group. It's a realistic goal."

Hampshire is switching to a shotgun offensive formation this year, though Cavanaugh said the Whips will still be able to run much of their traditional wing-T plays out of the new look.

Some senior running backs who gained a bit of experience last season now get their chance to carry the load: tailback Mike Kuefner (5-8, 165) and wingback Lorenzo Brandon (5-11, 180). Kuefner was the team's third-leading rusher last year, when he gained 176 yards and averaged 5.2 yards per carry. Senior Chase Lundry (5-11, 180) will also get carries in the rotation. He got his feet wet as a junior by gaining 21 yards on 8 carries.

Handing the ball off to them will be senior quarterback Brian Roberts. He played the position as a sophomore but sat out last year.

"He's got some good skills," Cavanaugh said. "He throws the ball well, he runs well. He lacks varsity experience, but he gives us a good run-pass dimension because he can do both."

The offensive line will be young. Tight end Nick Holze (6-1, 190) and tackle Glen Buckwinkler (5-10, 225) are seniors. Juniors could play at three positions, two of whom started last season. And two sophomores competed throughout camp for the starting job at center.

Players who will see time along the defensive line include: Buckwinkler at tackle; senior end Daryl Tate (5-10, 21-), who in 2009 made 26 tackles, forced a fumble and recovered another; two-way junior lineman Jarret McArdle (6-0, 230); and sophomore Grant Bender (6-2, 200).

Brandon returns at linebacker. Last year he made 22 tackles and snared an interception. Junior linebacker Cody Ackmann (6-1, 190), also a starting offensive guard, made 22 tackles as a sophomore and forced a fumble. Junior Justin Heath (5-11, 175) has solidified a role at linebacker.

Kuefner, Roberts, Lundry and Holze form the secondary. Kuefner is the team's leading returning tackler after finishing third last year with 31 solos and 19 assists.

A roster of 33 is an increase for Hampshire, whose healthy lower levels should begin populating the varsity with larger groups in the near future. Over 100 players are involved with the football program this season and the program will need to maintain those numbers as it switches from the Big Northern East to the Fox Valley Conference Fox Division next year.

For now, the Whips will hit the field with several two-way players and unproven starters at some key spots.

"We'll see how fast we hit varsity speed with guys who have never played varsity before," Cavanaugh said. "But when it all comes together it'll be a good group."