FOXBURG — The numbers are up for the Allegheny-Clarion Valley football team.

But the amount of success the Falcons meet with in 2006 could depend on the health of one player: junior quarterback Brad Rembold.

Rembold became the starter during his freshman season in 2004. Since then, he has passed for 898 yards and six touchdowns on an offense with limited firepower.

Despite having 35 players, the Falcons aren't deep at the position. The only other quarterback on the roster is Michael Orrvick, a 5-foot-5, 135-pound freshman.

The chances of the Falcons improving on last year's 1-8 mark depend on keeping the 6-3, 190-pound Rembold on the field.

"Brad can't get hurt," said A-C Valley coach Randy Lemmon. "We have no experience to back him up."

Another negative for the team was the graduation of Hank Heeter, last year's leading receiver with 34 catches for 430 yards and two scores.

Heeter also was a leader on defense from his cornerback position.

"The leadership Hank brought to our offense and defense, he was quite a player," Lemmon said.

"But we do have some guys who can catch the ball."

Two of those players will be senior wideouts Brandon Eiler and Ryan Wadlow.

Wadlow managed only four receptions for 67 yards last season, but he has the ability to catch the ball in traffic.

"He's more of a possession-type of receiver," Lemmon said. "That kid catches everything you throw to him."

The ground game also lost Rocco Crapis, its leader from the last two years, who rushed for 1,106 yards and 12 touchdowns in that span. He was injured for much of his senior campaign.

Returning to help the Falcons move the chains on the ground will be junior Mike Himes, who rushed for one score, 117 yards and a healthy 4.7 yards-per-carry average in 2005.

"He's got a little bit of size," Lemmon said of the 5-10, 165-pound tailback. "But he's mostly about making guys miss. He's got some good moves."

The fullback spot is currently a battle between junior Tom Perry and sophomore Adam Bell.

A-C Valley returns three starters on the offensive line: right guard Luke Heeter, left tackle Casey McBride and right tackle Alec Wagner, who was the team's center last year.

Junior Corey Morris is the new center while sophomore Jared Burrows is the left guard.

The Falcons will use a slanting 5-2 or 5-3 defense this season.

"It basically means our defense is going to depend more on quickness than on strength," said Lemmon.

Many of the defensive positions are still being contested, but a few have been settled.

McBride and Wagner will be the defensive ends, and Luke Heeter will play as a middle linebacker.

In the secondary, junior Joe Petkavich and Eiler will be the cornerbacks and Himes the safety.

"With Casey and Alec leading the defensive line, that would have to be the strength of our defense," said Lemmon.

The Falcons are planning on Burrows to handle the punting duties while the kicker is still undecided.

"I'd say that we're probably a little behind compared to the last few years," said Lemmon, entering his third season with A-C Valley. "We've had some problems with kids coming and going. Our numbers are up, but it takes a while to find out where kids can play.

"We're just trying to be competitive," he added. "We weren't able to do that last year. We had three starters get injured. You can't lose three starters at A-C Valley and stay competitive."

The Falcons open the season at home Friday against Clarion.