Head coach: Derrick Davis (first year here; 123-88 overall)
Returning starters: 9 offensive; 8 defensive
Key players: RB-LB Jordan Ledford (6-0, 210); RB-DB Isaiah Farrar (5-10, 150); QB-DB Nate Austin (5-11, 165); OL-DT Nathan Bousquet (5-11, 250); RB-LB Jace Derrick (5-9, 185); RB-DB Harley McCormick (5-9, 155); TE-LB Novice Cox (6-0, 155).
Team strengths: There is plenty of experience back, including 17 starters, for Davis to work with as he remolds the program. The Chargers also have more speed in the backfield than in years past and solid depth on both lines.
Team concerns: As with any time there’s a coaching change, how quickly the Chargers learn to handle adversity and raise their intensity level to match their new coach’s will determine whether they can earn a playoff berth.
Breakout candidate: Seth Holladay is a junior offensive lineman who could become a key to the run game. The 6-2, 275-pound junior will be counted on to clear the path in Davis’ run-heavy play-calling.
Season outlook: After winning just one of its last 20 games, the program was in need of a change. By hiring Davis the Chargers bring in someone with a proven history of turning around a struggling program and building a perennial winner. Davis guided Polk County, his alma mater, to 13 straight winning seasons, the program’s only undefeated regular season and five region championships and to the playoffs in 14 of his 19 seasons.
He inherits a team that has plenty of game experience and is hungry to experience success on the field.
“We’ve got a group of guys who have worked their tails off and try to get this thing going in the right direction,” Davis said. “They’re kind of tired of not winning, so from the time we got here they’ve been willing to do whatever we’ve asked. I think that will pay off for us.”
There is depth in the backfield and good size up front to build with. The Chargers open the season with three straight home games before what is sure to be an emotional road trip to take on Polk County. They also get to host region favorite Red Bank as well as the regular-season finale against Brainerd, which could decide a spot in the playoffs.