CHERRY TWP — No stranger to the Moniteau football program, first-year head coach Jeff Campbell said he knows just what the team needs: A way to keep the gas in the tank longer.

"We need to be in better shape,"Campbell said. "That's why we run out of gas toward the end of the season."

Campbell served as Moniteau's defensive coordinator for six years before taking the reins from Steve Wilson in the off-season. Moniteau is coming off a 6-5 campaign that resulted in a fifth consecutive District 9 Class AAplayoff berth.

The season also ended with five consecutive losses, but a new offseason conditioning program could prevent a repeat this year.

"There were 20 to 30 kids taking part all the time," Campbell said. "That's pretty good considering a lot of guys were involved with basketball, baseball or track."

The Warriors will have a lot of familiar names on the field as eight offensive players who were at least part-time starters last year are back, while nine defensive starters return.

"Our goal this year is to be a more disciplined team,"Campbell said. "We've been working hard on technique and working together as a team."

On offense, Moniteau is switching to a spread attack with some triple option mixed in. Tyler Armagost returns at quarterback after throwing for 1,279 yards and nine touchdowns and rushing for 136 yards and three scores as a sophomore.

Two of his running backs, senior Clayton Drnek (48 carries for 178 yards) and junior Ricky Best (59-176), will join him in the backfield.

"We have a lot of guys who can run with the football,"Campbell said. "That's why the triple option could be effective for us."

Campbell said he's going to a spread offense because "as a defensive coordinator, that was the opposing offense that gave us the most trouble."

Josh Loos began last season as the Warriors' starting quarterback, but was converted to wide receiver and is the team's top returning pass catcher. Loos had 12 receptions for 251 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 183 yards and two TDs.

Tight end Aaron Randall is back after catching six passes for 90 yards and two TDs in 2006. Senior Jeremiah Barnhart, who saw varsity time last year, is the other receiver.

Loos said the offense should flourish this year with all the pieces in place.

"Everybody knows his role going in now, and that will help,"he said. "We're capable of breaking loose on a lot of plays. I think we have what it takes to get to the District 9 championship."

Up front, junior center Adam Clark, senior guard Justin Ellenberger and senior tackle Brice Schwab are back as starters. Schwab stands 6-feet-8 and weighs 340 pounds.

Beau Eshenbaugh figures to be the other guard with Derek Stewart, David Glenn and John Smith vying for time at the other tackle spot.

On defense, Moniteau will stick with its 35 set and Campbell has added still more variations to it.

"We've put some new stuff in and have added some new looks,"the coach said. "We have different pass rush combinations and we'll be coming at the quarterback from different places.

"The kids love playing this defense. It's fun."

Senior middle linebacker Randall echoed those sentiments.

"It's a blast,"he said. "We don't just sit back. We get a lot of sacks and try to disrupt plays."

Eshenbaugh is the nose tackle with Ellenberger and Schwab at defensive tackle. Glenn and Zane Barnheart will see time there as well.

Dakota Campbell returns at outside linebacker and is joined by Elliot Divinney. Joe Stiner returns at inside linebacker and is joined by John McFadden.

Loos and Barnhart are the corners with Mitch Czech and sophomore Austin Hogset seeing time at safety.