SHADYSIDE — Coming off a pair of 3-8 seasons, in which coach Mike Kernik’s Tigers did manage to keep their 19-year playoff run alive, Shadyside must replace its entire offensive backfield and a pair of big-play wide receivers entering the 2024 campaign.

“We finished 3-8 both of the last two seasons, however, I saw drastic improvement last year, which included big gains in the rushing attack.” Kernick admitted. “And our first day of hitting this year was one of the best we have had in a long time.”

Kernik’s biggest task will be replacing three-year quarterback Ben Wach, who turned into a fine rusher as well as passer. Along with that running backs Karl Tsoras and Mark Waggonner are gone as well as twin wide receivers Dylan and Nathan Booth.

Taking control of the offense will be sophomore Jayden Johnson with classmate Ace Nelson getting the call at running back. Senior Caden Nippert and freshmen Bryce Sloan and Kelsyn West provide backup under center while sophomore Ryder Mavrikas and freshmen Colt Cook, Kolton Wallace and Cooper Singleton could all see playing time at running back.

Arguably the best returning skill position player returning is senior wide receiver Cole Micker who will be joined by classmates Kaiden Baker and Griffin Kritz.

Shadyside will run a lot of shotgun with four receivers so other wideouts available will be Nippert, sophomores Aiden Miller, Trenton Marling and Luke Butkus as well as freshmen Michael Hendershot, Cook, Kolton Wallace, Kelsyn West, Sloan, Aiden Clegg and Graeson Reed.

A trio of seniors anchor the offensive line with center Derrick Russell, guard Anthony Forgacs and tackle Ean Weatherson. The remaining two starters are likely to be sophomore Dario DeFelice and freshman Trey Wright.

Coach Mike Kernik discusses the upcoming season

There are plenty of reserves available in juniors Trent Wakulchik and Landen Simmons, sophomore Ayden Allensworth and freshmen Tytus Grew, Lucca Smathers, Anthony Hill, Myles Moore, Zach Breeden, Trip Jennewein, Ryder Gellner, Lane McClelland and John Provence.

On defense, DeFelice, Nelson and Wright will all be up front with Simmons, Mavrikas, Grew, Smathers, Hill Moore, Breeden, Jennewein, Gellner, McClelland and Provence adding support.

Kritz and Weatherson highlight the linebacker troops with Wallace a key backup. Marling is also ready for action.

The defensive backfield, which also must be rebuilt includes Baker and Micker at safety, Nippert, Johnson and Sloan at corner. Backups are Miller, Butkus, Cook, West, Reed and Singleton.

Senior Gavin Bommer will handle the place-kicking duties while Marling will be the punter.

Also gone from last year is two-way lineman Colton Gorby.

Kernik’s staff includes Jeff Campbell, James Edwards, Zeke Merryman, Serge Gentile, Jayson Johnson, Taylor Jovicic and Craig Griffiths.

“The biggest goal is to be more aggressive and intense,” Kernik added. “We really improved on penalties last year, which was a huge problem the year before. As coaches we try to get through their heads that while it is a physical and violent game you still have to do it under control. We were better last year, but it’s something we will continue to work on.

“We have a new backfield and two wide receivers. The power-iso is the rushing attack we have used for years, but we got away from that halfway through the season in 2023.

“And it seemed to work out very well and the kids have grasped it and are having fun, so we are going to stay there. I think it gives our running backs more freedom and lets them react quicker. I am very proud of the kids making that switch.”

There are three new teams on the Tigers’ schedule in Frontier, Portsmouth Notre Dame and Caldwell. The Cougars and Redskins will both be met on the road.

Shadyside opens the campaign with a trip to Martins Ferry before hosting Shenandoah and Buckeye Local.

“At the end of last year we looked at our schedule, and while we loved playing the teams we were playing, we felt we wanted to go heavier with teams in our region so we could get a better feel for things.

“In the long run we want to continue to improve physically and get the kid’s confidence back. We started the build last year and we are trying to bring the pride back to Shadyside.”

The Tigers include just eight seniors, two juniors and eight sophomores. However, Shadyside has a huge, and talented, freshman class which includes 18 players.