CHERRY TWP — Wade Vogan likes to run the football.

The second year Moniteau coach had success with the running game last season with the Warriors.

But 1,000-yard runners Josh McBride and Cody Skiver are gone, lost to graduation.

Rocket-armed Derek Boben takes over at quarterback and Moniteau is blessed with a bevy of speedy and tall wide receivers.

That has presented quite the conundrum for Vogan.

“That's something I'm not used to, I'm not going to lie,” Vogan said, smiling. “I'm looking for ways to not throw the ball, but we have some guys — we have to throw it up to them.”

Don't be fooled, though.

Moniteau isn't suddenly going to become pass-happy. Vogan will still run the ball with senior Wyatt Ifft moving from fullback to halfback and 200-pounder Shonn Kline shifting to fullback.

It's just the Warriors may be a little more balanced that they were in 2014 when they rushed for 3,088 yards in 11 games and passed for just 506.

“We're definitely still gonna come right at them,” Vogan said. “It's difficult running the ball when you have nine, 10 guys in the box. Teams are preparing for that. They know what to expect. Hopefully we can have a little more balance this year with Derek throwing the ball. He's not as agile on his feet as (Cody Skiver), but he definitely throw a better ball.”

Boben is excited to get the opportunity to throw the ball this season.

But the 6-foot, 200-pound senior also realizes the strength of the team is its big offensive line and its power running game.

“Obviously, Cody was a better runner than I am. He was more agile and faster,” Boben said. “But we're kind of keeping it around the same base offense.

“I think we'll throw a little more than last year,” Boben added. “But, honestly, I think it will depend on the situation of the game. If we're ahead, we're going to ground and pound with Wyatt and Shonn.”

Boben, though, said he is confident that if Moniteau needs to rally, the passing game can bail them out of a jam.

“I think we can throw the ball to catch up, pick up big chunks of yards and score points,” he said.

Ifft is also excited to move into his new role as featured back.

He said there will be nothing fancy when he has the football.

“I'm not looking to do all that funny stuff,” Ifft said. “I'm just going to run over people. Five, six yards a carry — I'll be happy.”

And so will Vogan. That's his style after all, and Ifft fits it to a T.

“(Ifft) is a kid who's gonna hit you, and there's nothing wrong with that,” Vogan said. “He might not beat you to the corner, but he's gonna run through you to get to the corner. That plays right into what I believe in.”

Moniteau has some movers up front, keyed by 6-3, 200-pound junior tackle Roman Davidson.

“We have some big boys,” Vogan said.

And Moniteau has some depth, which Vogan sees as the biggest key to this season.

Last year, the coach said his team wore down throughout the course of the season, which put a damper on a 4-0 start.

Moniteau finished 5-6, including a 7-6 loss to St. Marys in the District 9 playoffs.

“The biggest thing I'm learning in year two is to play more kids,” Vogan said. “We need more fresh bodies. With so many going both ways, our kids got tired. We couldn't put up with 10 games. Hopefully we have the depth now to run a rotation in games. Hopefully we can give those kids a breather, maybe just a play or two. That's more than they have gotten in the past.”

Moniteau, though, will rely on Boben, Ifft and Kline.

“Lot of heart. Heart for days,” Vogan said. “Our backfield, with Derek and Kline and Wyatt, those are kids who have been around the program for three, four years and they know hoe to win. Those kids need to translate that into our younger players and learn how to win those close games. The future and even this year is looking bright.”