After decades of struggling, Fredericktown coach Kent Gibbs and the Blackcats have turned the football program in the right direction over the past two years.

In 1999, the club went 6-4. Last year, the Blackcats went 7-3.

But the core group of athletes who built the success has taken a mighty hit to graduation.

If Fredericktown is to stay on the winning path, it'll be up to a host of young players to do the steering.

Four sophomores will start on offense and defense.

Gibbs believes the young group coming in has better talent and more speed that the one it is replacing, but there are a lot of question marks.

"We have quality athletes, but a winning season will be determined on how they come along," Gibbs said. "There's no consistency there right now."

Fredericktown's offense will be keyed by running back senior Aaron Proffer, a 5-foot-6, 150-pound dart who will double as a starting linebacker. Jon Clauser (5-10, 175, sr.) will be an offensive guard and inside linebacker. Sophomore Cory Cissell (6-0, 195) will play both ways as a tight end and inside linebacker.

Other returning starters include Josh Baudendistel (6-0, 285, sr.) at center and Luke Nickelson (5-10, 190, jr.) at defensive end.

Gibbs said the team has good depth at running back and more depth and size at the line of scrimmage than they've had in recent years.

He said he believes the recent success of the program has spurred more athletes to come out for the team.

Gibbs said he likes the effort his team has shown so far but he just doesn't know what to expect.

"I think a lot will change over the course of the season," he said. "We have a lot of young kids and they will have their ups and downs. We have a bunch of kids with equal ability so the guy that's starting this week might not start the next week."

Fredericktown finished third in the Mississippi Area Athletic Conference White Division last year at 3-2.