The 2019 season saw the Union/A-C Valley football team take a huge step forward as the Falcon Knights finished with a winning record (7-4) for the first time in the four-year history of the co-op between the two schools.

Experience returns at most positions and head coach Brad Dittman believes the pieces are in place for a third straight trip to the playoffs.

“We have to stay healthy. We have 24 guys and that's actually a few more than we worked with for much of last season,” Dittman said. “This is part of the reason for the co-op a few years ago. We could see these (low) numbers coming.

“But aside from maybe six guys, everybody else returns with a good bit of experience.”

Leading the team's pistol offense will be a new starting signal caller, either senior Tanner Merwin or sophomore Bailey Crissman.

Merwin did a little bit of everything last year on offense, including throwing a few passes. But his biggest impact came on the receiving end where he caught 28 passes for 430 yards and six touchdowns.

At 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, Crissman has the size that is often desired at the position.

“Tanner has all the skills. Bailey's been working on his throwing motion and has made great strides,” Dittman said. “We're keeping an open mind and may run two quarterbacks out there in games.”

Whoever is taking the snaps, he should benefit from a line that returns three of five starters in guard Carter Terwint and tackles Ethan McFadden and Drayk Wolbert.

“Mike Card didn't start last year, but saw a lot of playing time at guard and he's also back,” Dittman said. “Our line got better last year as the season went on and we want to build on that. How well the line plays will be the key to our success.”

Many skill players will be looking to make plays. Running backs Eli Penny, Kylar Culbertson and Gaven Bowser combined for 937 yards and seven TDs in 2019. Each will again be available.

Wideouts Karter Vogle and Caiden Rainey would join Merwin, if he's not playing quarterback, as options in the passing game. Rainey paced the Falcon Knights last year with 38 receptions and 564 yards.

“We want to be able to take advantage of what the defense gives us,” Dittman said. “To do that, we need to run and pass equally well. Our goal is to be as balanced as we can be.”

Card returns as a starter on the defensive line. Bowser, Penny and Terwint are back at linebacker. The secondary will look a bit different with Merwin moving from cornerback to safety and Vogle from safety to cornerback. Rainey will stay put as a starter at the other corner and Culbertson will join Merwin on the back end of the defense.

“We return a lot of veteran players on defense and were able to create a lot of turnovers at times last year,” Dittman said. “Hopefully, that will continue.”