FREEPORT — In his second season at the helm, Freeport coach John Gaillot has a tantalizing thought.

"We have eight or nine players that can play at running back or receiver," said Gaillot, who guided the Yellowjackets to the WPIAL Class AA playoffs last season before suffering a first-round loss to Greensburg Central Catholic.

"When we get the pads on, all of them could be starters. We could cause some mismatches. That would be my dream," he added.

Leading the offensive attack is senior quarterback Alex Isenberg and senior running back Andy Teorsky.

Isenberg passed for 699 yards, five touchdowns and eight interceptions, and rushed for 208 yards. Teorsky led Freeport's ground game with 784 yards on 137 carries and 10 scores.

"Alex gives us leadership, and he got that year under his belt," said Gaillot. "He never started a varsity game, so that was huge.

"Andrew gives us speed and the other backs we have will be a plus," the coach added.

Others to look for include juniors Mitchell Shaw, Jake Campbell (three touchdowns), Shawn Liberto and Alan Michael-Wisniewski (two TDs).

Senior receiver Tyler Collins (6 catches, 109 yards, 1 TD) and junior Derek Durand (a team-high 10 catches, 212 yards, 1) could both run with the ball as well as catch it.

"Those kids are all very versatile," said Gaillot. "We have depth at the skill positions."

Still, the team lost 15 seniors, including several key linemen.

Senior Matt Asay, junior Knight Clark and senior Tyler Collins (tight end) have experience from last year, while junior Cody McClelland will shift to tackle and will be joined on the offensive line by Nate King.

The defense also took a hit from graduation, but players like senior defensive end Darius Frantz (62 tackles, 11 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries) and defensive backs Collins and Isenberg should help the Yellowjackets in 2009.

"We have some starters returning, but we also have some players who did get some starts late in the season," Gaillot said.

Wisniewski and Curtis Hughes will bolster the linebacking corps, while Campbell, Liberto, Shaw and Collins will do likewise at defensive back and McClelland stiffens the defensive line.

"It will be very competitive," said Gaillot. "They all have experience. We're green, but not all that green."

As usual, the Allegheny Conference appears to be among the deepest in Class AA, and Freeport will be among those battling for one of the four playoff spots.

"The top five teams have to be Shady Side Academy, Burrell, Ford City, Kittanning and Valley," said Gaillot. "I expect them to be at the top. Deer Lakes has some skilled players, too.

"It's hard, and I don't say that because we're in the conference. But balance-wise. West Shamokin, with a young staff, they might be the sleeper.

"We came in last year like that and you can really ride that," Gaillot added.