The 2014-2015 school year has started, meaning that one of Southern Lehigh’s premiere  fall sports is back at it: football. The 2014 Southern Lehigh football team hopes to rewrite last November’s upset when the 2013 team lost to Bethlehem Catholic in overtime for the District XI title.

The main problem for this year’s team are the big shoes to fill after eighteen seniors graduated last year, each playing a role in the team’s overall success.

One of most significant returning members of the team is senior quarterback Travis Edmond. A three-year starter, Edmond is looking to have another successful season.

“It’s great to be back for another season because being a third year quarterback instills confidence in both myself and my teammates,” Edmond said.

Edmond, however, has lost his favorite target, Jacob Del Priore, who graduated in June. Replacing Del Priore at wide receiver this year are senior Matt Watkins, junior Ethan Price, and occasionally junior Blake Levengood.

The Spartans also lost a strong core of running backs including Zac Wilson, Spencer Cobb, Christian Ricci, and Trent Silfies. Replacing them this year are seniors Austen Hughes and Brycen Holland, junior Dylan Niedbalski, and sophomore Timothy Walter.

The line has been revamped on both sides of the ball. Sophomore Gary Popowitz will replace Collin Kendrick at center and will also play on the defensive line to replace Troy Reppert.

Familiar faces on the offensive line this year are seniors Matt Long starting at tackle, and senior Cody Heffelfinger at tight end. Both players will also contribute some time on the defensive line along with Popowitz.

The defensive line does have some new faces. Senior Jacob Martin got some time on the defensive line last season but is now playing both offensive and defensive tackle. Senior Brandyn Berean will also get some time at offensive tackle and senior Kolbi Harding and junior Josh Mohr will be playing guard for the Spartans.

Defensively, the Spartans have lost an important linebacker core of Kendrick, Wilson, Ricci, and  Dex. Replacing them are senior Nico Bonnie, and juniors Mike Riccio, Mohr, and Niedbalski.

Not only are there player changes on both sides of the ball, but there also a few new coaches added to this year’s staff. Derek Bleiler, who was the Spartans’ defensive coordinator, has left the team due to family reasons. Replacing him will be Gene Legath, who is in his third season with the team.

JV head coach and varsity wide receiver coach TJ Seidenberger also left the team after last season. 2008 graduate Rocco Del Priore, Jacob’s older brother, will replace Seidenberger as a JV and wide receiver coach. Chuck Sonon has been named the defensive line coach.

A new schedule lineup for the team is in place as well. For years, the Spartans have played the same teams in the same order. Now, the Colonial League has switched to east/west divisions instead of north/south divisions.

The Spartans have found themselves in a division with Palmerton, Northwestern Lehigh, Northern Lehigh, Catasauqua, and Salisbury. Although it’s a new set up, it should not phase the players.

“I haven’t put much thought into the new schedule lineup this year,” Holland said. “We focus on one week at a time, and for the most part, we’re playing the same teams.”

The only team the Spartans will not face this year is Notre Dame Green Pond. Instead, they played Palmerton, whom the team had not faced since 2011.

Lots of changes are in place for 2014, but one thing that is certain is they focus on being a team.

“I want this to be the hardest working and best team to ever walk the halls of Southern Lehigh,” Edmond said.