GROVE CITY — The Grove City College football team was on the cusp of something great last season.

The Wolverines enjoyed their first winning season since 2008 and lost three of their four games by a touchdown or less, including a seven-point loss to conference champion Waynesburg on the road.

Grove City was picked to finish fourth in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference this season behind the three conference teams it lost to a year ago, Washington & Jefferson, Thomas More and Waynesburg.

This year, the Wolverines look to climb another rung on the ladder.

“We were on the verge last year of being very good,” said Grove City coach Chris Smith. “This year we hope to take another step over that threshold.”

That quest will start at quarterback where the Wolverines have an experienced senior starter in Brian Pell.

Pell, at 6-foot and 200 pounds, is a dual threat. As a passer, Pell threw for 1,361 yards and 13 touchdowns. As a rusher, he gained 384 yards and added four scores.

The offense will open up a little more this season to show off Pell’s talents, Smith said.

“The luxury of having a quarterback who is a multi-year starter is something that you tend to almost take for granted,” Smith said. “When you don’t have it, it’s something you are wildly aware you don’t have. That’s how important it is.

“It starts there, but you have to have everyone. You need all 11,” Smith added. “But it sure does help when you have a quarterback who can run the offense efficiently.”

Pell and the Wolverines will have to get by without their No. 2 receiver from a year ago, Seneca Valley graduate Dustin Anewalt, and their leading rusher, Mars grad Shane Kaclik.

Anewalt caught 37 passes for 343 yards and Kaclik, finally healthy, was one of the top rushers in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference with 1,098 yards and 15 touchdowns.

“Shane had waited and bided his time,” Smith said. “It wasn’t a surprise, it was just so much fun to see things work out for him. Now we have to replace him and it’s not obvious.”

Smith, though, is blessed with a slew of promising younger players at running back, led by sophomores Steve Maskrey and Gabe Moore.

Butler grad Zach Rader also returns at wingback. Smith said the sophomore could also see time in the backfield.

Pell’s main target will be Anthony Ritchie, a 6-5, 195-pound senior who is a big-time threat in the redzone.

Last year, Ritchie caught 43 passes for 488 yards and eight touchdowns.

The offensive line returns four starters, including Karns City graduate Zach Kepple.

The 5-11, 300-pound sophomore guard climbed the depth chart last season and took over the starting job at midseason.

He said the Wolverines are poised for a big year.

“We were all real excited at the end of last year because we know we are just steps away from being really good,” Kepple said. “We were literally one play away from winning a few more games. We’re all working hard in practice.”

The defense, which has long been a strength for the Wolverines, also returns most of its impact players.

“We have some areas that are really strong,” Smith said. “The linebacking corps is really excellent. The secondary is really thin, but we don’t have nearly the depth that we want.”

Ryan Althausen, who tied for the team lead in sacks with four, will move to defensive end. Grove City also has two of its top three tacklers returning in cornerback Chris Gibbs and outside linebacker Jason Skyrm.

Smith, though, said the season will come down to something that is beyond any coach’s control.

“I’ll say the same thing every coach in America says,” Smith said. “You have to stay healthy.”