FOXBURG - As is the case at many other small high schools, the A-C Valley football team plays a game long before its scheduled regular season opener every year - the numbers game.

"Right now we have 30 kids," said Falcons coach Randy Lemmon. "We knew we weren't going to have that many come out, but we were expecting more than 30."

Those numbers, along with the graduation of standout players like Luiz Goncalves, Colt Burk and Scott Rembold, will make it a difficult task to improve on last year's three wins.

"Our biggest loss by far will be Burk," said Lemmon of his star fullback and linebacker.

The low numbers will cause some players to play out of position.

One player who knows his role is senior tailback Rocco Crapis, who emerged from the shadows last season to rush for 747 yards and 11 scores out of the Falcons I-formation set.

"At the beginning of last year, Rocco was a complete unknown to me," said Lemmon. "But we had a few injuries and had to move a few people around. That's how he ended up as our starting tailback.

"Our offense will once again be geared around him. We've already told our fullback (Keith Yute) that's he's basically going to be a guard in the backfield. When we want to run the ball, it's going to be with Rocco."

A strong performance by the Falcons' offensive line will be the key to Crapis' effectiveness.

Senior Caleb Rice and junior Casey McBride will be the offensive tackles heading into the season, while senior Chad Forsythe will play guard.

The other positions are up for grabs.

Sophomore Brad Rembold, who led the Falcons with 292 passing yards and three scores a season ago, will start under center.

"He's more of a drop-back passer," said Lemmon. "He saw some time back there last year and he should be fine."

Seniors Mark Hart and Hank Heeter will start at wide receiver, though the duo combined for just eight receptions for 90 yards in 2004. Both players will also start at cornerback.

"Hank's got to be the tallest cornerback in the league at (6-foot-3)," said Lemmon.

Rice, McBride and Forsythe all are currently on the defensive line, but Rice could open the season at linebacker in the team's 5-2 defensive scheme.

Crapis will see time at both linebacker and safety.

A-C Valley's Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference opponents include Clarion, Moniteau, Union, Clarion-Limestone, Redbank Valley, Keystone and Karns City.

"Our goal is to be competitive every game," said Lemmon. "We want our opponents to walk off the field following each game knowing they just played a tough football team. For the most part, we did that last season."

The Falcons will open the season against the KSAC's top two teams from a year ago, traveling to Clarion Sept. 2 and hosting Clarion-Limestone the following Friday.