Greencastle-Antrim only returns five starters from last year's 5-5 team, but veteran coach Chuck Tinninis likes what he sees from this new set. The Devils will continue to play smash-mouth football, utilizing some key personnel in the trenches. Below is their Countdown to Kickoff preview.
School name: Greencastle-Antrim Blue Devils
Coach: Chuck Tinninis
Last Year: 5-5, 4-3 Colonial
Last 5 Years: 41-14
Returning Starters: 2on offense, 3 on defense
Key Players: OL-DL Robert Rider; FB-LB Ashtin Byers; QB-DB Matthew Montedoro; OL-DL Kristian Sheeley; QB-DB Samuel Sprague; WG-DB Jackson Hall; TE-LB Jared Starliper; SE-DB Nate Monn; FB-LB David Woody.
Offense Overview: It just didn't seem like Greencastle's workmanlike offense ever gained real traction following last season's opening-day loss to Chambersburg. Sure, the Devils still managed five victories, but that's an unacceptable number when the program has set a much higher bar. Athletic Matt Montedoro will assume the QB post, although we all know G-A's tactical Wing-T is a collective effort. That means steady performers like Ashtin Byers and fellow senior Jackson Hall will get plenty of opportunities to chase behind lead hammers Robert Rider and Kristian Sheeley. Those last two can flat-out move for their size. Posting 306 points over 10 games is nothing to sneeze at, but the Devils need to prove they can stockpile against the division's best.
Defense Overview: Speaking of the Wing-T, Tinninis likes the versatility of his scheme, meaning he can play to the strength of his personnel. Well, G-A rolls out a base 4-4 and has the weapons to adapt on the defensive side of the ball, too. With the 6-5, 290-pound Rider running the low-level production crew, there's a good chance you'll hear the names Jared Starliper and Byers quite often on Friday nights. The tandem anchors an LB crew that plays tight and aggressive. After allowing 40-plus points to the Trojans and Susquehanna Twp. In 2012, Tinninis' defense should be eager to make amends. The secondary will be sound, but G-A still needs one or two more linemen to emerge from the junior varsity ranks. Plenty are auditioning.
Biggest Game: October 11 vs. Shippensburg
More Greencastle-Antrim:2013 schedule | 2013 roster
EPLER'S CRYSTAL BALL: It's true the Devils are coming off their worst season in five years, and G-A's blocking wall will have plenty of new faces entering next Friday's opener at Chambersburg. But most of the 66 kids in camp understand what it takes to compete. As Tinninis said, “We're new but not really young.” With a little spit and polish, the Blue Devils can erase the memory banks and get back to more pressing matters: challenging for the division title. Make no mistake, the Blue Devils are staring up at Shippensburg like everyone else. But it's silly to think Chuck and his crew are going to sit out the postseason for a second year in a row. Not when the Devils have something to prove.
More:Complete Countdown to Camp coverage
Epler on Twitter: @threejacker