CHERRY TWP — Productivity was the name of the game for Moniteau quarterback Kyle Armagost in 2009.

The junior is coming off a sophomore season that saw him throw for 939 yards and 10 touchdowns, and rush for 541 yards and eight scores.

But most of the players who helped him get those totals are gone.

None of Moniteau's starting receivers return and running back James Shope, the Butler Eagle Scoring Trophy winner, graduated, taking his 1,453 yards and 21 touchdowns with him.

The Warriors' top returning pass catcher is tight end Zac Sloan, who had two catches for 30 yards. Fullback David Campbell is the leading running back with all of 167 yards.

Senior center Jordan Smith is the only starting offensive lineman back. Kyle Davidson and Chester Gladd are the starting tackles, with Matt Staab in the mix. Adam Porter and Nick Summerville have the inside track at guard.

"We're going to be young, no doubt about that, and we'll have to put up with young mistakes," Moniteau coach Jeff Campbell said. "But I like this group of football players.

"I'm not saying we're going to dominate anybody, but we won't get blown out, either. We'll stay in games, be competitive and keep our eye on the playoffs."

The Warriors are so young, in fact, that seven freshmen could see action with the varsity.

"(Running back-safety) Trevor Shaffer is one freshman I have to get on the field somehow," Campbell said. "And Dustin Geagan looks like the real deal as a quarterback or tailback.

"These kids aren't typical freshmen. They can play some football."

Campbell plans to replace Shope's production with a committee of running backs. Campbell, Joey Deal, Jesse Uber and Zach Dibiase all will get their share of carries.

"I doubt we'll have a 1,000-yard back this season, but we'll have four or five guys with more than 200 yards each," Campbell said.

"Our offense will have multiple looks. We'll run some option and power game, have three backs in the backfield or five wide receivers.

"Our younger kids ran all that stuff for junior varsity. It'll be nothing new for them," he added.

Sloan plans to be a bigger part of the offense in 2010.

"My goal is to score a few touchdowns and help hold the other teams to just a few points," Sloan said. "Winning the league and District 9 are still realistic goals for us.

"Our younger kids are talented. Most of those guys are going to step right in and play. I'm not concerned about our youth at all," he added.

Campbell said Armagost has "drastically increased his arm strength in the offseason."

"He can throw the ball 60 yards downfield," the coach said. "We've got speed at receiver in Ethan Pry and Brayden McCorry."

Moniteau will play a 43 defense and returns only four starters: Smith at middle linebacker, Sloan and Dibiase at linebacker, Campbell at tackle.

"My goal is to lead the team in tackles this year," Smith said. "I think we'll be fast-moving on defense. It could be the strength of our team."

Though the defensive front is inexperienced, the Warriors have plenty of names to choose from in Campbell, Jarod Hull, Porter and Summerville at tackle, Deal, Ryan Pflugh, Staab and Nick Conti at end.

Ethan Pry will man one cornerback position, Geagan or Shaffer will be at the other. Armagost and Jesse Uber will be the safeties.