Senior members of the 2006 Freeport football team are, first row from left: Tyler Hill, Shawn Kriebel, Zach Hepler, Nate Kotecki, Josh Schrecengost, Brady Sherrieb, Corey Mrozinski, second row: Dan Edwards, Dylan Dull, Matt Caripolti, Clayton Holbein, Ryan Prunty, Josh Ward, Chris Ittner; third row: Sean Jack, Nick Winters, Paul Milliron, Paul Schmidt, Tim Westendorf, J.P. Samay; fourth row: Tom Douglas, Matt Smith, Scott Smith, David O'Conner, Kevin Turner, Brian Zimmerman, Cory Massart

BUFFALO TWP — A three-game losing streak knocked Freeport a bit off stride last season.

This year, the Yellowjackets hope to put themselves right back into the playoff picture.

Freeport's inexperience last season has been transformed into a solid core on both offense and defense.

Back is quarterback Brian Zimmerman, who as a junior threw for 1,498 yards, 13 touchdowns and only four interceptions.

"The kid's definitely a leader," said Freeport coach Bill Dillen. "He's getting looks from D-I schools, and he deserves it."

His primary targets all return, led by Josh Schrecengost (eight TDs), Nate Kotecki, Zach Hepler and Brady Sherrieb.

Sherrieb was the team's top runner a year ago with 345 yards on 85 carries (4.1 yards per carry), Zimmerman added five scores and Kevin Turner two touchdowns.

"I'm just ecstatic. We've got Brady, Kirk Naedele, Cory Massart, Kevin Turner and a new kid, Matt Caripolti," said Dillen. "We have a couple of sophomore backs that are going to be good, too.

"We want to go back and establish the run," Dillen added.

Look for Chris Ittner to be a key tight end, and the offensive line will be anchored by seniors J.P. Samay and David O'Connor.

"We have a lot of experience back. It gives us some depth," said Dillen. "We're a little bigger this year. We were under 200 pounds last year. This year, it's more like 210, 220."On defense, "we have almost the whole defense intact," said Dillen. "We have nine or 10 starters back. The big thing is we hope to be quick this year and a lot stronger up front."Linebacker should be a key strength, as Turner, Ittner and Naedele return at inside linebacker and Shawn Jack and Scott Smith return to man the outside spots.Sherrieb, Kotecki, Schrecengost and Zimmerman will highlight the defensive backfield."These guys are all basketball players and know the coverage I play," Dillen said.Andrew Vidra and John Bercik will compete for the kicking duties, and Hepler will serve as the punter.Another plus for Freeport is the turnout. At 70 players, it's one of the biggest ever for the Yellowjackets."We knew last year's numbers were down (about 50), but that's good for some teams our size," said Dillen. "Our freshman class last year had 39 kids and we got 32 out this year (as sophomores)."Our senior class is big (28), and we have three or four that have not played that came out, and they're good athletes," he added.They may need those players as the Allegheny Conference looks to be highly competitive again."Kittanning, Valley and Ford City look to be the top three, and the other ones are not bad," said Dillen. "Shady Side Academy should be good. (Coach) Dave Havern does a nice job. Their only problem is depth."Deer Lakes has a good running back, and you still have Burrell and now Northgate is coming in and those are tough kids. It's going to be a battle."

Freeport's Josh Schrecengost caught eight touchdown passes from quarterback Brian Zimmerman in 2005 and should be top target this season.