WINTERSVILLE – There is optimism flowing at the Creek.

Andrew Connor begins year 22 at the helm of the Indian Creek football program feeling good about his squad’s chances for the upcoming campaign.

“We welcome back a veteran group,” the affable mentor said. “Our senior and junior classes are both solid and boast good experience.

“We had a great offseason. The guys did a super job in the weight room,” Connor added.

“There is a different vibe around the team this year. It is very upbeat and positive. We have great leadership from within the team.”

Connor’s optimism is buoyed by the numbers: A 51-player roster with 28 of them being lettermen, many of the two- and three-monogram type of variety.

The Redskins open their season Friday hosting Cambridge.

Ian Starkey (5-10,160) steps into the pivotal quarterback position.

The two-year letter-winning junior appears primed to handle the duty. He is one of Creek’s captains and draws praise from his head coach.

“Ian has done a good job so far. He has been able to grasp the little things that go with the position,” Connor said. “He is athletic and very intelligent.”

Coach Andrew Connor discusses the upcoming season

Starkey is backed up by Ethan Starr (5-9, 140).

The sophomore letterman will also be utilized as a wideout.

Three other quarterbacks are sophomore letterman Bruce Mazar (5-11, 170) and freshman Kade Haines (5-8, 135) and Parker Heath (6-0, 230).

Connor has a three-headed monster at tailback, led by senior Zion McGee (5-9, 190). The three-year letterman is one of the premier runners in the OVAC.

He is supported by two other talented ball-toters in two-year letter-winning junior Gavin Pownall (5-11) and the aforementioned Mazar.

“I feel confident in all three of them,” Connor said. “They complement each other quite well. All three will get their share of carries.”

Three-year letterman senior Kaden Madden-Little (5-8, 195) provides even more solid depth along with freshman Skylar Longo (5-9, 160).

Connor also plans to utilize three fullbacks, all veterans: Senior lettermen Jayce Nett (6-0, 245) and Justin Vergona (5-8, 190) and junior letterman Jackson Pitts (5-10, 175).

“All three will play. They will rotate,” Connor noted.

Fullbacks of the future are freshmen Layton Evans (5-11,190) and Dylan Romanyak (5-8, 160).

Tight end is another position of Redskin strength.

Two talented seniors will share duties: Caleb Bodo (6-2, 215), a three-year letterman, and two-year letterman Jomar Johnson (6-2, 230).

Both are also captains.

Connor also likes the tools sophomore Tanner Goodwin (5-10, 165) brings to the post.

“Caleb and Jomar are both quality tight ends. They give us a nice two-way punch,” Connor said.

The wide receiving contingent boasts many seasoned hands, including Starr, if not needed at quarterback.

The group is headed by two-year letter-winning seniors Kyle Shultz (6-0, 165) and Mason Lester (6-0, 160). Shultz is also a Redskin captain.

Senior letter-winner Colton Giusto (5-9, 155), two-year letter-winning junior Xavier Vines (5-10, 170) and sophomore letterman Jorden Hines (5-11,175) will also see ample game time.

Additional depth is provided by junior lettermen Caiden Canestraro (5-9, 153), classmate Joey Lopez (5-11,155), sophomores Isaac Wukelic (5-11, 145), Cross County (5-8, 145), Demetrius Brandon Jr. (5-2, 115) and freshmen Sawyer Pietro (5-10, 145), Brayden Nicholson (5-8, 140), Nicholas Jameson (5-9, 140), Isaiah Thompson Yost (5-3, 125) and Quinn Ujcich (5-10, 150).

The Creek offensive line is one of the team’s strongest areas as it almost returns intact from a year ago.

It possesses good size, quality depth and a dose of tenacity.

“This should be one of the best offensive lines we have had at Creek in a long time,” Connor beamed. ”

Nishon White (6-7, 385) returns at one tackle. The two-year letter-winning senior is the OL anchor with big-time upside.

He is joined at the other tackle by junior two-year letterman Luke McMillion (6-3, 220). Although he doesn’t possess White’s size, McMillion packs a punch and is an accomplished run and pass blocker.

Brenan Monroe (6-0, 210) returns as a starting guard.

The two-year letter-winning senior brings experience and ability to solidify the inside of the line.

A battle is brewing at the other guard spot between solid veterans Semaj White (6-3, 360) and Maverick Woodbury (6-1, 240).

Both are juniors with White already having earned two letters. Both will see plenty of time.

Two Redskins are vying to open at center: Adam Ray (5-8, 240) and Cole Pearce (5-8, 175). Both are junior lettermen.

While possibly not in the starting rotation, two other Creek OL have enjoyed quality camps and will provide superb depth: junior letterman Noah Fowler (5-10, 180) and senior Chase Moodie (5-10, 230).

Additional Creek O-linemen include: senior Joey Hewitt (6-4, 220); junior letterman Bradyn White (5-10, 245); sophomores letterman Mason Salazar (6-1, 180), Nico Rasicci (5-11, 185) and freshmen Jesse Scott (5-10, 195), River Adams (5-7, 175), Jabari White (6-0, 240), Landon Cullen (5-5, 170), Jace Knox (6-0, 215), Michael Campana (6-0, 225) and Reid Moodie (6-4, 250).

Defensively, the Creek will utilize a 4-3 alignment.

Bodo and Johnson will handle the end slots. Salazar will serve as their top support.

At tackle, Connor will rotate at least four performers. They include: Nett, McMillion, Bradyn White and Monroe.

Conor says linebacking is “the core of our defense.”

Vergona will start for the third season as middle linebacker.

He will be flanked by Pownall and McGee. Quality depth will be delivered by Mazar and Madden-Little.

Lester and Shultz will be the starters at cornerback. Canestraro will also see time.

The safeties will be Starkey and Hines with Vines in reserve.

“We are very optimistic about this team. But there are several things we need to do to be successful,” Connor said.

“We need to do a better job of avoiding turnovers; we must take away the big play on defense and we must tackle better than we did last year.”

Connor is surrounded by a quality staff, heavily steeped in former Creek players. It consists of Joe Hammack, David Kemp, Doug Karas, Andy Waggoner, Mike Wilson Jr., Sam Robinson, Zach Crawford, Robbie Bodo, Dave Connor, Austin Waiters and Dylan Stickler.