Photo by Seth Staskey River defender Cooper Cordery (50) drags down Magnolia’s Matthew Anderson (11) during the Pilots’ 49-6 win Thursday night.

NEW MARTINSVILLE — Coming off a completely forgettable season in which Magnolia scored just four offensive touchdowns, lost all eight games that it played and were forced to cancel the last two games on the schedule, first-year head coach Craig Mason is hoping to turn things around at his alma mater.

Enthusiasm has returned as the Blue Eagles boast a roster of 42 players, with many new faces to the program.

“There is a lot of excitement in the program and the community right now,” Mason said. “We are trying to change the culture from the ground up and build the program back up.

“We have started youth camps, doing more 7-on-7s and just putting things back together.

“But the biggest thing is on the field where we are looking to focus on the little things. There are a lot of fresh faces so we are trying to simplify things to try and get back to where the program was a few years ago.

“So far, everything has been good.”

Sophomore quarterback Kingston Christian (5-11, 165) is new to the program, and a good place for Mason to start. Freshman Brody Vargo (5-9, 130) will be the backup and look to learn everything quickly.

Coach Craig Mason on the upcoming season

Junior Matthew Anderson (5-10, 205) is one of the few remaining players on the roster and considered to be a team leader at running back. There isn’t a lot of experience behind him, but there is talent in senior Gavin Knisley (6-0, 250), junior Hunter Oates (5-8, 155) and sophomores Hayddan Lasure (5-10, 140) and Ethan Lipscomb (5-10, 150).

First-year player Brady Kocher (6-4, 225), a senior, will get the call at tight end with sophomores Hunter Cooley (5-9, 130) and Ryder Wilson (5-10, 175) also available. Senior letterman Hayden Pyles (6-3, 195) is the team’s No. 1 receiver and will get plenty of help from classmates Connor Dyer (5-10, 160) and Gage Scott (5-10, 155); junior Eli Midcap (6-3, 160) and sophomores Preston Beverln (5-6, 130), Finn Loy (5-10, 140), Carson Wade (5-9, 150) and Connor Carpenter (5-8, 130).

The offensive line will feature seniors Hunter Goddard (5-10, 170) at guard and Jaydin Lynch (6-3, 240) at tackle. The remaining three spots will go to either senior Ethan Moore (6-2, 190); juniors Landon Streets (5-8, 175) and Isaac Voorhis (5-10, 200) and sophomores Anthony Lancaster (5-10, 225), Jackson Fortney (6-0, 190) and Gryffith Briggs (5-10, 230).

Defensively Beverlin, Loy and Oates will make up the backfield with Dyer available at safety and Wade in the mix. A strong linebacking corp will be led by Streets in the middle, Anderson at will and Goddard on the outside. Others include Lasure, sophomore Ethan Lipscomb (5-10, 150) and Scott.

Defensive ends include Kocher, Fortney, junior Eden Harlan (5-10, 175) and Lancaster with Lynch, Knisley, Briggs and Moore at tackle.

The punter and kicker jobs are still up in the air.

Mason will be assisted by Eric Mason, Eric Conner, Bryan Hostetler and Travis Emch.

“There are a lot of events planned around football this year, but maybe one of the biggest thing is that we are bringing the middle school team back after not having one last year,” Mason added.

“And we are also getting more involved in flag football. And we are just wanting to tie everything together with a bottom-up approach. The kids have been working very hard and you can see the excitement level. I believe they are very appreciative of change.”

The Blue Eagles will have a bye in Week 1 before kicking off their season on September 1 at Wirt County.

After that Magnolia will play four consecutive home games with a rivalry flair. Cross-river rival River comes calling in week three with Cameron, Monroe Central and Tyler Consolidated to follow.

“I usually hate a bye in Week 1, but I think this year it will be a good thing for us with an extra week to continue to get up to speed,” Mason admitted. “I am very excited about our potential and I feel like the ceiling is growing day by day, especially with the first-year kids and the younger ones.

“Our entire coaching staff played at Magnolia and were all here for some very good seasons. It’s an easy selling point when you look back at where we came from.”

“We have put a lot of highlights on social media from the early 2000s. And we keep telling them that they are sitting right where those kids were sitting and it’s time to get back to what everyone is accustomed to.”