BUFFALO TWP — Even before training camp got started, Freeport already was looking toward its first game of the season against Shady Side Academy.

"Our schedule is tough early on," said Yellowjackets coach Bill Dillen. "We open with Shady Side Academy, and that's the team a lot of people are picking (to win the Allegheny Conference)."

Dillen said the Indians are about to benefit from their large sophomore class of two years ago.

To that end, Dillen hopes last year's large sophomore class will start reaping benefits now.

"We're very young and we'll have to grow up quick," said Dillen, now in his fourth season. "We had two nice scrimmages with Highlands and Springdale, and the fact both were away should get us ready for the first game."

The opener is at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Shady Side Academy.

"It's nice our first game is on a Saturday," said Dillen. "It's good having that early (in the day) because we'd be used to the heat."

The Yellowjackets will try to build on last year's 5-4 record, but the squad lost many of its key skill players, including quarterback Brian Zimmerman, running backs Brady Sherrieb and Matt Caripolti (13 combined TDs) and nine receivers

"I think we learned a lot from our mistakes last year," said senior running back Kirk Naedele. "Last year, some of the guys didn't seem as focused.

"There seems to be more dedication this year. ... We want to get Coach in his first year of the playoffs. That's what we want to do as a senior class," Naedele added.

Not having a large group of returning players doesn't discourage Dillen at all, knowing that the competition for so many spots can be encouraging.

About the only constants in the offensive backfield will be Naedele and Cameron Betush.

Naedele carried 64 times for 346 yards (both second-high on the team) with two scores, and Betush added 28 rushes for 242 yards and two scores.

"Kirk's the running back, but we have five guys we want to mix in," said Dillen. "Plus, I want to get a third back into the rotation."

Of course, wide receiver is wide open, but Dillen is optimistic about the potential contributions of a few underclassmen.

Who will throw them the ball is still undecided as juniors Matt Lucas and Tom Blythe and sophomore Alex Isenberg are trying to win the quarterback job.

"All bring something different," said Dillen, which makes one wonder if inserting different quarterbacks at different times is a possibility.

"That's something we haven't ruled out," said Dillen. "We'll look and see what we have."

The lone starters on offense look to be on the line as seniors Mike Demeno, Denver Hoak and Miles Smolic return.

"We'll be bigger than we have been the past couple of years," said Dillen. "Size is there for a change, but you still have to come off the ball."

And the Yellowjackets still play in a highly competitive conference, which includes Ford City, Valley, Kittanning, Burrell, Northgate and the aforementioned Shady Side Academy.

"At Ford City, (coach John Bartolovic) has done a great job. He did lose some great kids, but their program's on automatic. Valley lost a lot of kids, but they always have skill kids.

"Shady Side, they feel this is their year. (Coach) Dave Havern has done a nice job. As the season goes on, his teams get better and better," Dillen added.

Where Freeport stacks up remains to be seen, but the possibilities could be intriguing.

"I think we have the possibility to do better," said Naedele.

"This team is similar to others, but every team is different," said Dillen. "This team's very receptive to moving to different positions. That's the nice thing about them."