A-C Valley's Evan Redding, seen here catching a touchdown pass against Moniteau, was second on the team in rushing, receiving and passing last season. Redding will see time at running back in 2015.

FOXBURG — Injuries can play havoc with any high school football team.

But at schools as small as Allegheny-Clarion Valley, their effect is magnified.

The Falcons felt the sting of the injury bug last season and it contributed to the program's second straight 0-10 campaign.

“We've seen it the last couple of years,” said Falcons' coach Brad Dittman. “Last year, injuries and mono decimated what we were trying to do. Hunter Defibaugh was going to be one of our top players at tight end and linebacker, but he dislocated his shoulder in pre-game warmups before our first game up at Clarion. By the sixth or seventh game, we had five or six starters hurt. Hopefully, we have better luck this year.”

A-C Valley is hoping four players from the Mid-Atlantic Youth Services school in Venango County will provide some much-needed depth to the 25-player roster.

The Falcons, who have lost 22 straight games, scored just eight offensive touchdowns and averaged less than 150 yards per game in 2014 while running a pro-style offense. Dittman has switched back to a pistol attack in an attempt to ignite more firepower this season. It's the same offense he employed during his first season in 2012 when A-C Valley won three games and nearly qualified for the District 9 playoffs for the first time since 1999.

“We're trying to get the downhill running game going, some quick passes to move the chains,” said Dittman.

Senior quarterback Zach Muhl is a year older and wiser according to Dittman. The former threw for 263 yards last year with three touchdowns and 11 interceptions in seven starts.

“Last year was a struggle for him,” said Dittman, “but I've noticed a maturity in him this summer. We're looking for him to step up and for leadership.”

Senior Evan Redding and junior Lane Chalmers will line up at fullback and tailback, respectively.

“Evan spent some time at quarterback last year, but we want to (run the ball) with him more,” said Dittman. “Between he and Lane, they'll probably get an even mix of the carries.”

The ground game will be running behind what Dittman considers to be an improved group.

“Last year, we couldn't get a whole lot going with our offensive line,” he said. “We have a lot of work ahead, but I expect we'll be better.”

The front will be anchored by returning starters and seniors Brady Terwilliger at center and Wes Rowe at right tackle.

Defensively, Dittman is looking for six returning starters to lead a march back to respectability. Last season, the Falcons allowed more than 41 points per game.

The 3-4 scheme will feature Rowe back on the line, Muhl, Redding and Terwilliger at linebacker, Kody Wolfe at cornerback and Chalmers at safety.

“We have a lot of talent, we just have to get it done,” said Redding, who led the team with 103 tackles in 2014. “We need to work on our tackling. Last year, we missed a lot of tackles and that led to a lot of big plays for the other team.”

The team is in good hands with 11 committed seniors.

“Someone recently asked me how I am motivating this group after losing 22 consecutive games,” said Dittman. “I haven't had to. These seniors are making sure everybody is doing what they need to do.”