The head coach is gone. The main weapons return.

Dave Grimm retired as Kiski Area's head coach after guiding the Cavaliers to their fourth consecutive playoff berth last season. Chuck Heater, the program's freshman coach a year ago, is the new varsity coach.

Kiski finished 4-6 in 2004, bowing to Central Catholic in the first round of the playoffs.

"They probably had 25 to 30 applicants for the job," Heater said. "I'm fortunate to get the position."

He's fortunate to inherit 18 seniors as well, along with six returning starters on both sides of the ball.

Kiski Area invades Art Bernardi Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. season-opening kickoff Friday against Butler. The Cavaliers defeated the Golden Tornado 27-10 and 17-10 the past two years.

"We've got some high expectations this year because we've got some kids who can make things happen," Heater said. "We've got some speed at the skill spots."

That all starts at quarterback, where 6-foot-3, 230-pound senior Mychal Skinner returns. He completed 41 of 96 passes for 461 yards and a touchdown last year, missing part of the season due to injury.

"Mychal has good speed - deceptive speed," Heater said. "He's a 6-3 kid who runs the 40 in 4.4 (seconds). He returned a few punts for touchdowns last year as well."

One of those punt returns for a score came against Butler.

Senior tailback Nate Kriger, 5-9, 170 pounds, led Kiski with 503 yards rushing and five touchdowns last year. Senior receiver Ryan Radebach had 19 catches for 226 yards.

"Kriger's one of those little scat backs," Heater said. "He runs about a 4.5 40 and he hits the hole quick. He can help you a lot of ways offensively, either as a running back or a receiver."

Kriger caught seven passes for 59 yards a year ago. Like Skinner, he missed some games due to injury.

Senior Matt Hartford and junior Don Mignogna join Radebach at receiver. Scott Joseph and Bill Emmerson, both seniors, are at fullback.

Senior right tackle Joe Batiz, at 6-6, 340 pounds, anchors Kiski's offensive line. Left tackle Ed Newell, another senior, is 6-1, 255.

"We need to be physical up front with Butler because they've got size up there again," Heater said. "They always seem to come up with big, aggressive linemen."

On defense the Cavaliers play a 44. Nick Milisits, a 6-6, 220-pound end, anchors the line. Emmerson stands out at linebacker and the secondary of Skinner, Radebach and Kriger is solid.

Chris Dunlay, who doubles as a soccer player, will handle the team's kicking and punting chores.

Kiski scrimmaged Hampton and Highlands during the preseason. Butler scrimmaged Gateway and Woodland Hills.

"We know Gateway well because they're in our conference and I thought Butler gave them a good scrimmage," Heater said. "They scrimmaged the No. 1 and No. 2-ranked teams in the WPIAL, so they'll be well prepared for us.

"I'm seeing a pretty solid football team there. Their quarterback (Nick Monteleone) seems to be one of their better athletes. He throws the ball very well."

Heater said Butler likes to blitz and tries to make it hard for the opposing offense to execute.

"They really get after it defensively," he said. "We have to have our kids ready for that."