CHERRY TWP — There is nothing shrouded in mystery about new Moniteau football coach Wade Vogan.

He’s as open and transparent as they come, from his offense down to the way he handles himself and his team.

Honest and forthright.

“Kids are coming out and they are participating and giving effort,” Vogan said. “That’s all you can ask for.”

Vogan’s offense won’t have many tricks, either.

“I’m an I-formation type guy,” Vogan said. “Power football. You know what I’m running. I’m a firm believer if you execute and do your role, you’re going to be successful.”

Vogan’s role so far has been to get a new offense and defense installed. He also wants to get continuity re-established at Moniteau.

Vogan is the third head football coach at Moniteau in three years.

He takes over this season for Cecil Blauser, who went 3-7 in his only season after being hired two days into camp in 2013.

Vogan had significantly more time than his predecessor to evaluate what he has. As a guidance counselor in the school, he had time to talk to his players and get to know them.

And the former assistant coach at Sharon is happy with what he sees.

“The intensity is there. That’s one thing I preach,” Vogan said. “You have to want this. If you don’t want this and you don’t want things to change, it won’t change.”

How much do the Moniteau players want to erase the taste of a 4-15 record the last two years?

Badly.

“We have a huge chip,” said senior quarterback Cody Skiver. “We want to win. We’ve always wanted to win. It’s just that things haven’t fallen our way.”

Things began falling the Warriors’ way at the end of last season. After an 0-6 start — the final two defeats by a combined nine points — Moniteau won three of its final four games.

Skiver had a big season, passing for 916 yards and nine touchdowns and also leading the team with 672 rushing yards.

Senior Josh McBride, who averaged 10.8 yards per carry in limited action last year, will be the main back in the I-formation attack.

But other backs will see carries as well.

“We have a lot of hybrid backs,” Vogan said. “I like to call them tweeners — not too big, not too small. But they are fast and they can move, so why not get our athletes the ball?”

Vogan said Moniteau will also spread things out from time to time to utilize his shifty, quick runners.

Senior Brendon Stamm, one of two returning linemen along with Shonn Kline, was shifted to guard.

That makes Stamm smile.

“I like to pull and hit people,” Stamm said.

On defense, Vogan will employ a 4-3 base and expects the hybrid backs to be hybrid linebackers.

“They can really move,” Vogan said. “They have high motors and aren’t afraid of putting their heads in the hole. We’ll be stunting and stemming up front and having fun. I think when kids are having fun, they’re going to play for you.”

While Vogan admits he can be intense, he also has shown his fun side with his team.

“I’ve danced in the locker room with the kids, just to lighten things up,” Vogan said. “Was that out of my comfort zone? Absolutely. I’m a very serious person. I’m a very intense person, but it was important for them to see me like that.”

Stamm said that everything has already clicked with Vogan.

“Just talking to him and hearing the plans he had for the season, it was just exciting,” Stamm said. “It’s just been an enjoyable experience.”

Stamm said pundits shouldn’t sleep on the Warriors this season, especially after the strong finish in 2013.

“I hope it carries over,” he said. “It’s senior year. I want to go out and knock some heads and show people we can do something this year.”