CHERRY TWP — The champions are starting a new chapter.

Moniteau earned the program's first undefeated regular season, District 9 title and PIAA playoff victory in 2011, setting numerous team and individual records along the way. But the Warriors don't have time to celebrate the past.

Their sights are set on 2012.

“That was last year. This is this year,” said Moniteau coach Jeff Campbell. “It's a different set of kids. What happened last year, happened last year. You have to go out and prove yourself every week.”

And the Warriors know opposing schools in the KSAC are going to make life difficult.

“The target is definitely on our back, there's no doubt about it,” Campbell admitted. “With the season we had last year and not just winning, but the way we won, there's no mercy in this league.

“We're going to see the best from everyone.”

Several key players from last season graduated, including quarterback Kyle Armagost, receiver Ethan Pry and defensive end Joey Deal. All set school records last year.

“Those seniors, you just don't replace those kids,” said Campbell.

In particular, identifying a new quarterback was a process for the Warriors.

The competition came down to junior Dustin Geagan — who broke a school record with 1,540 rushing yards at tailback last year — and senior Denny Pry.

The decision was further complicated by completely different skill sets. Pry is most effective under center, while Geagan is best orchestrating an option attack from the shotgun.

After a scrimmage against Laurel on Aug. 18, the coaching staff opted for Pry.

“We gave each guy equal reps in there,” explained Campbell. “It's not that one person looked so much better than the other. We just seemed to run that style of offense a lot better.

“He did a good job,” the coach said of Pry. “He's pretty calm back there and made the right adjustments and made good, smart plays. He's our guy.”

Campbell had no interest in rotating the duo at quarterback.

“I believe if you have two quarterbacks, you have none,” he explained. “It doesn't work. It just doesn't work. You have to go with one quarterback and go with that style.”

Pry thinks the Warriors can follow up last year's historic season with another successful campaign.

“At the end of last year, everybody was a little bit worried that we weren't going to be able to compare to last year's team,” said the senior, “but we're going to have a good team.”

Defense will play a large role in the team's fortunes and the secondary figures to be particularly strong with safeties Geagan and Trevor Shaffer, along with newcomer Colton Cumberland and senior Tanner Blair at cornerback.

“I'm definitely ready to step up,” said Shaffer, a junior.

Senior Andrew Armagost, who recorded 21 sacks a season ago, returns at linebacker, as does another proven asset in Stephen Hagg.

Hagg and Shaffer have also impressed at running back to give the Warriors rushing threats outside of Geagan.

Campbell believes play in the trenches will ultimately determine how well his team executes. The coach said Moniteau's depth on the offensive line should be a strength.

“You go as far as the line takes you, on both sides of the ball,” said Campbell, entering his seventh year at the helm.

“If the line isn't good, you're not going anywhere. I don't care how good your skill guys are.”

There's a similar effect on the defensive side of the ball when linemen can absorb blockers.

“If linebackers aren't getting blocked, it's pretty easy to make tackles,” Campbell noted.

The Warriors will be tested early, opening with Sharpsville and West Middlesex, the two District 10 Class A finalists from a year ago. Moniteau starts KSAC play against rival and D-9 Class AA runner-up Karns City the following week.

“I put a lot of emphasis and a lot of pressure on these first two games because we're going to see two very good football teams,” said Campbell. “We're going to know what we are by Week 3.”

Geagan thinks his team is up for the challenge.

“It's going to be a team effort. Everyone has to play their part,” he said. “If one person messes up, we're all going to fall.

“But we can pick each other back up,” he added, “and I think that's what we'll excel at.”