Brookville thought it was inexperienced before.

The Raiders graduated 20 seniors from last year's 8-2 season, returning only senior quarterback Nick Heschke and senior offensive lineman Wes Bashline.

When they come to Moniteau for a 7 p.m. kickoff and mutual season opener Friday, they will be without six would-be two-way starters this season.

"We had to suspend seven players for disciplinary reasons," ninth-year Brookville coach Chris Dworek said. "Six of them are two-way starters. They missed our last scrimmage and this first game.

"Our young team has gotten even younger, but that's OK. I'm excited about the chance to coach some of these younger guys."

Moniteau will take every break it can get. The Warriors are 4-17 against Brookville all-time, including a season-opening 35-21 loss last year.

"They still have a good program and they'll come down here ready to play," Moniteau coach Steve Wilson said. "We graduated a lot of kids ourselves."

The Warriors had to retool their offensive line this year, which includes Justin Sadler at left tackle, Jimmy Cottrill at left guard, Clay Campbell at center, Dave Homison at right guard, Aaron Anderson at right tackle and Ryan Protzman at tight end.

While Steve Saul - now at Westminster College - was the Warriors' tailback last year, Wilson enters the 2004 campaign using four kids at that position. Matt Pry, Josh Warburton, Brent Spawn and Adam Cousins will all get carries Friday.

"They all have different styles and they give us balance back there," Wilson said. "We'll use them in different formations."

Moniteau also returns its big fullback in Matt Schandelmeier.

"Matt would love to test their defense right away and he'll get his chance," Wilson said. "But I know Brookville's big up front."

The Raiders' attack begins with Heschke, who is being recruited by Samford, Bucknell and a few Ivy League schools. He had a combined 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns throwing and running last year.

"He's been starting on defense since his sophomore year," Dworek said of Heschke. "He's quite a linebacker, too. He's looking to have a big year on both sides of the ball. Nick is our leader."

Brookville scrimmaged Slippery Rock and Clarion-Limestone in preseason. Dworek said wide receiver-cornerback Tyler Ross and tight end-defensive end Ryan Galbraith stood out in those scrimmages.

Raider running backs will be fullback Levi Singleton and tailback Matt Berfield.

"Both would have seen action anyway, but neither would be starting if not for those suspensions," Dworek said.

"We're really taking a hit defensively. Two of our three linebackers and three of our four defensive backs are out."

Conversely, Moniteau quarterback Garth Kohlmeyer has returning receivers Eric Hilliard and Greg Kepple to throw to.

Wilson expects Brookville to be the team putting the ball in the air, however.

"I expect they'll be throwing a lot," he said. "They have a throwing package with four-receiver sets. They'll keep the ball in Heschke's hands quite a bit."

Brookville at Moniteau

---

Friday, 7 p.m.

Statistic: Brookville quarterback Nick Heschke accounted for 48.9 percent of the Raiders' offense last year, throwing for 833 yards and rushing for 259.

Streak: Brookville has defeated Moniteau 17 times in 21 meetings.

Strategy: The Warriors will shuttle in four tailbacks with different skills and use a variety of formations with them.

Speaking: "They have an excellent quarterback, a tremendous runner with a strong arm. They'll use four-wide receiver sets and keep the ball in his hands a lot." - Moniteau coach Steve Wilson