Optimistic.

Talk to Northern Lehigh head coach Joe Tout about his football team and that word is bound to come up multiple times.

And who could blame him?

The Bulldogs’ mentor saw his program go from no wins three years ago to 5-5 and 6-4 records the past two seasons. With a number of players returning and some younger athletes ready to make their mark, the future looks bright in Slatington.

“I am absolutely optimistic,” said Tout, whose club is scheduled to play a six-game season starting on Sept. 25. “We’ve been waiting for this crew. We’re excited ... We felt last year we got our confidence back as a team. Towards the end of the season, even when we lost to Northwestern (27-24), with the way we played them in Week 9, the kids were buying in.

“They like each other. They want to be there ... They want to compete, so we’re very optimistic.”

Tout especially likes his team speed. And because his squad possesses it, Northern Lehigh may look a little different than it has in past seasons.

While the Bulldogs will probably still run out of their traditional I-formation at times on offense, the team will also use a variety of other looks. They’ve also changed things up on defense, too.

“I think we’ll be a little bit more spread this season. We tended to be a little more 2-by-2 and trips last year, and I kind of see us doing that again. We’ll do a mix. We’ll be in the I, but we’ll also be a little more spread.

“Our skill guys, we’re wasting them if they’re not on the field ... We have a number of talented players and we feel like we can keep guys fresh by rotating them. We like our speed a lot and we want to take advantage of that. We’re kind of banking on we’re going to outrun you. We’re going to be fast.”

Tout has three quality runners in his backfield in seniors Mike Repsher (833 yards, 7.6 yards per attempt) and Joe Abidelli, and junior Matt Frame (655, 7.2). Sophomores AJ Jimenez and Izaiah Ramos will also get some carries. They will be joined by junior quarterback Dylan Smoyer.

Evan Zambo, a senior, and Trevor Amorim, a junior, will be Smoyer’s main targets when he throws the ball, although a number of others are expected to see time at the wideout position, including the Misera brothers (Brett and Chase) and Jovannie Avila.

“We’re going to get a lot of kids in,” said Tout, whose club averaged 326 yards a game on offense last season. “One of the advantages we have this year is our skill guys and backups are pretty much 1 and 1-A.

“And Dylan Smoyer at quarterback has looked really good. We were excited about him last year. We kind of thought he’d take over ... It’s nice to have a guy that’s going to be there for two years. Also, we have a decent amount of underclassmen who are skilled players, so we’re going to have those guys for a few years. That’s definitely a strength.”

Where the Bulldogs are unsure is on the line. The team brings back starters JD Hunter and Josh Schaffer, both seniors, but will be relying on some sophomores to help fill the holes left by graduated Carter Smith and Bryce Dye.

“We don’t have the depth right now on the offensive line,” said Tout. “And if we have any injuries up front, we’re going to be in trouble. We’re going to start three sophomores up front, so we’re trying to keep them one-way kids.”

Because of the team’s speed, the coaching staff has opted to shift from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4. Hunter and Schaffer will probably account for two of the spots up front, with sophomores Jayden Krempasky and Austin Smyth joining them. The linebackers will consist of Abidelli, Jimenez and DeSean Smith on the outside, with Frame, Lucas Farmer and Etan Karpowich inside.

The secondary features quick, veteran players in Zambo, Amorim and Repsher, along with equally fast teammates in Avila, Ramos and Nick Frame.

“We’re just heavy on the skill positions, which is what set (the defensive switch) in motion,” said Tout. “

“That’s why we’re going to a 3-4, mainly because we’re good in the secondary and our outside backers are a little more athletic there. It’s more about getting pieces to fit, and I don’t know if we would have been real strong across the front had we been in a 4-3.”

POSITION BREAKDOWN

QUARTERBACKS – Junior Dylan Smoyer takes over for the graduated Zach Moyer, who threw for 863 yards and 16 touchdowns a year ago. Coach Tout is excited about Smoyer’s potential and the fact that he’ll most likely be back for another year (This will be the Bulldogs sixth straight season with a different starting quarterback). Backing up Smoyer is sophomore Nick Frame.

RUNNING BACKS – The team’s top three ground gainers return, as seniors Mike Repsher (833 yards, 6 TDs) and Joe Abidelli (362, 6 TDs) should see the most time at tailback. Matt Frame (655 yards) is also back, and will split his duties between tailback and fullback. AJ Jimemez, a sophomore, should also see time at fullback.

WIDE RECEIVERS – The two main threats for Smoyer will be junior Trevor Amorim (17 catches, 369 yards, 5 TDs) and senior Evan Zambo. Tout plans to rotate a number of players at this position, where he blessed with plenty of speed. Others at wideout include Chase Misera, Jovannie Avila and Izaiah Ramos.

OFFENSIVE LINE – Seniors JD Hunter and Josh Schaffer offer some experience along the front five. Hunter will man one guard spot along with sophomore Jayden Krempasky. Schaffer is at one tackle, with sophomore Isiah Warner on the other side. The starting center looks to be Lucas Farmer, another soph. Tight ends will be senior Chase Misera and sophomore Austin Smyth. Backups up front include Ben Reitz, Brody Dye and Sam Frame.

DEFENSIVE LINE – The Bulldogs plan on switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4 this season. A number of players will be at noseguard, with Hunter the most notable. Krempasky is slotted at tackle, with Schaffer and Smyth rotating often at end.

LINEBACKERS – The two outside linebacker spots will be filled with Abidelli, Jimenez and senior DeSean Smith, while Farmer, junior Matt Frame and sophomore Ethan Karpowich will be inside.

SECONDARY – With plenty of skilled kids on the roster, Tout will rotate a number of players at cornerback and safety. Zambo and Amorim will be on the corners, with Repsher spelling them. Safeties include Avila, Ramos and Nick Frame.