Small senior class means a lot of juniors, sophomores to see playing time.

Fredericktown coach Kent Gibbs is about to see how much mileage a football team can get out of six seniors.

Gibbs is not in the situation by choice and not about to downplay the importance of senior leadership. But with only a half dozen seniors among 31 players, the Black Cats will be leaning heavily on 14 juniors and 11 sophomores.

"The juniors will obviously have to play," said Gibbs. "A lot played as sophomores. We're also depending on a few sophomores to carry the load."

Gibbs was in a similar situation in last year's 2-8 campaign, throwing a lot of this year's juniors into the fire.

"We basically got out-manned last year," said Gibbs. "We were in a couple others and got beat late. A lot of it was maturity level and playing some kids that weren't ready to go."

He admits a team usually has a strike against it when it plays sophomores, but feels they can fill in when needed.

"I'm big on performance," said Gibbs, entering his fifth season. "If you perform and play with emotion, that's a lot of the battle."

Like a relief worker with limited resources trying to reinforce a dam, Gibbs is hoping to strategically place his six seniors for maximum impact.

Senior Luke McKinnis (5-feet-11, 175 pounds) will guide the offense and a 1,000-yard rusher returns in senior Jeremy Penwell (5-9, 170). Three seniors will be found on an offensive line that returns intact: left tackle Jeremy Parson 5-10, 210), right guard Tim Pirdle (6-0, 215) and right tackle John Crowe (6-3, 250). Juniors Chris Reagan (5-9, 210), left guard, and Dan Bowman (6-3, 250) also return.

The Black Cats, who have eight returners on offense, will rely mainly on the run out of their I-formation.

"We want to control the clock," said Gibbs. "I think it's our best chance. We've been able to run the ball since I've been here, but we've never been able to play much defense. We're hoping to do a better job of that."

McKinnis played wide receiver and running back last year. While he doesn't have much quarterback experience, Gibbs defined him as a good leader.

"What we're asking him to do is not make mistakes and run the offense, and he's been doing that," said Gibbs.

A lot of what McKinnis will be doing is handing the ball off to Penwell.

"It's no secret. He's going to carry the ball," said Gibbs. "He's had a good fall camp."

Gibbs describes Penwell as a north-south runner who seldom loses yardage.

A pair of sophomores will see duty at fullback in Steve Francis (6-0, 217) and Clay Hendrix (5-9, 165).

"I feel fullback is as good as its been since I've been here," said Gibbs.

The line will find backups in junior guard Chris Turner (6-0, 185) and junior tackle Paul Graham (5-10, 200).

Juniors Gabe Killian (6-0, 185) and Scott Stevens (6-0, 185) will share time at tight end and returning starters are found in wide receivers Rodney Michel (6-1, 175), a senior, and junior Derek Smith (5-10, 170).

"The thing is for us to avoid injuries early and not put the ball on the ground, and I think we'll be able to run the football," said Gibbs. "I'll be honest. If we can't run the football, we can't win. It's been that way."

The Black Cats will feature a lot of two-way players and will line up in a 40 front on defense.

The line will consist of Reagan, Crowe, Parson, junior Dan Beaty (6-0, 250) and sophomore Shawn Neel (5-10, 200).

Pirdle and junior Derek Boswell (5-10, 165) return at linebacker and will be joined by junior Scott Stevens (6-0, 185), Chris Turner (6-0, 185) and sophomore Clay Hendrix (5-9, 165).

In the secondary, Smith returns at cornerback and will be joined by sophomore Rusty Leonard ((5-9, 165). Michel also returns at safety.

Fredericktown opens its season Friday night at home against Park Hills Central.