The 2020 season marked another step forward for the Northern Lehigh football team.

In 2017, the Bulldogs posted an 0-10 record.

But a dedicated group of upperclassmen kept fighting. That has led to steady improvement.

The Bulldogs posted five wins in 2018 and six in 2019. The program took a big leap in 2020 that resulted in an appearance in the district championship game.

While the seven seniors from that squad have departed, a solid foundation remains this fall.

“It was hopefully a steppingstone,” said Bulldogs’ head coach Joe Tout. “Obviously, we wanted to, we were expecting to, win that game, to win a district title. We thought we were there last year, and I still believe that we were capable of winning that game.

“But we’re using that as a steppingstone. We don’t really harp on it too much. Right now, our goal kind of stays the same, which is to get better and take care of business now.”

Tout will have seven returning starters on offense and six on defense from a squad the played Palisades for the District 11 Class 2A title a year ago.

“One of our themes this year is the old Eagles Super Bowl thing from Jason Kelce - ‘hungry dogs run fast,’” Tout said. “We expect after last year’s experience that that’s what we’re going to have here. We’re going to have a group of guys that are hungry to get that championship.”

Joe Abidelli, Mike Repsher, Evan Zambo, Chase Misera, J.D. Hunter, Josh Schaffer and DeSean Smith were part of a group that inspired a turnaround, which resulted in a 5-4 record last season.

That group has graduated, but several standouts return, including senior running back Matt Frame, who was third in the area in rushing yards with 987. His 14 total touchdowns led the area.

“He had a great offseason,” Tout said of Frame. “He dedicated himself to it. He’s bigger, faster, stronger. He’s grown ... now he’s about 6-1. His bench has gone up, his squat has gone up, and his 40 time has gotten better.

“We’re excited, because people that saw him run the ball last year know he was a bull - and now he’s better.”

NL also returns the area’s second-leading receiver in senior Trevor Amorim (27 catches, 428 yards, seven TDs), as well as senior quarterback Dylan Smoyer (62-of-124, 955 yards, 11 TDs).

Juniors Jayden Krempasky (T), Lucas Farmer (G), Austin Smyth (TE), and Ethan Karpowich (OL) are also back on the offensive side of the ball.

Senior Brett Misera (WR), juniors Nick Frame (QB/WR), Izaiah Ramos (RB), senior AJ Jiminez (RB), junior Aiden Parvel (WR), sophomores Jack Tosh (RB), Jackson VanNorman (C), Brody Dye (G), Sam Frame Jr. (T), and junior Ben Reitz (T) are also going to be key components on offense.

“We’re kind of a healthy mix,” said Tout. “I wouldn’t call us a true veteran team, although I think we have enough of those kind of pieces. With our skill guys that we have back, that’s definitely our strength. With the line, we like where the kids are at right now, but we’re going to be playing some younger guys there. The tale of our season is going to be how fast they can progress.

Tout hopes the skill position players can carry the offense early until the line develops.

“We feel this is the most depth we’ve had at the skill positions in about eight years,” said Tout. “But the way it looks right now, I don’t think we’re going to start any seniors on our line. We have to build that depth there, because there’s a lot of sophomores that are in the mix right now.”

Their development will be key to a unit that was second in the area a year ago, averaging a total of 356.2 yards-per-game.

The Bulldogs will once again be playing in Class 2A this season. Tout hopes the first year of the Schuylkill League-Colonial League crossover, which features meetings against Class 3A schools such as Tamaqua, North Schuylkill and Jim Thorpe, will have the squad battle-tested and ready to make another postseason run.

QUARTERBACKS

Senior Dylan Smoyer returns after completing 62-of-124 passes for 955 yards and 11 touchdowns to go along with seven interceptions a year ago. Smoyer was the area’s third-leading passer a year ago, and will be counted on to lead the offense this season.

RUNNING BACKS

Matt Frame was a force as a junior. He was third in the area in rushing yards with 987. His 14 total touchdowns led the area, and he seems to have only gotten better in the offseason. Senior AJ Jiminez will see time at fullback and tailback, with fellow senior Izaiah Ramos also in the mix. Ramos started for the Bulldogs last season at tailback, but got injured Week 2 and missed the remainder of the season.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Northern Lehigh returns the area’s second-leading receiver in senior Trevor Amorim (27 catches, 428 yards, seven touchdowns). Senior Brett Misera will also complement Amorim, bringing another speed threat to the perimeter. Juniors Aiden Parvel and Nick Frame (QB/WR), as well as Austin Smyth (TE) also figure to be in the mix in the passing game.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Juniors Jayden Krempasky (T) and Lucas Farmer (G) return after starting last year. Junior Ethan Karpowich, who was the team’s second tight end last year, has moved to guard this season to solidify the line and will play guard. Sophomores Jackson VanNorman and Brody Dye are in the mix for the center position, and Sam Frame looking to play the other tackle position.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Junior Jayden Krempasky and sophomore Sam Frame return after both started at defensive tackle last season, and will rotate with Lucas Farmer. Austyn Smith returns at defensive end. Brody Dye is currently slotted into the other defensive end position.

LINEBACKERS

All three linebackers return from a year ago in Matt Frame, Ethan Karpowich and AJ Jiminez.Jack Tosh and Bailey Smith have also helped with depth as sophomores.

SECONDARY

Along with the linebackers, Tout considered the secondary to be one of the team’s strengths. Trevor Amorim returns at safety, and Nick Frame, Matt’s younger brother, will be the other safety. The cornerbacks will likely be Izaiah Ramos, who started last year before an injury ended his season prematurely, and Brett Misera. Aiden Parvel will be in the mix offensively and defensively at corner, as will quarterback Dylan Smoyer, who played quarterback exclusively last season but will see time on the other side of the ball this year.