Last season, Northern Lehigh head coach Joe Tout and his team quickly discovered how a key injury and some inexperience can change the landscape.

The Bulldogs entered 2023 as two-time District 11 Class 2A champs, and they knew there would be some transition in the process.

Junior quarterback Ayden Oswald wanted to be a wide receiver for a play during practice, and the light motion turned into a major catastrophe. Oswald suffered a season-ending ACL tear, and fate flipped against them.

Freshman Garrett Smoyer did an admirable job as his replacement, and three other freshmen were in the lineup at season’s end.

It ended with a disappointing 3-7 season.

This summer, Tout and his troops believe they are back on the path. The Bulldogs have plenty of depth on both sides of the ball, as budding sophomores and juniors were battled-tested last year.

“We have a mix of young and older players,” said Tout. “We have a number of sophomores in the mix, a solid junior class, and a big senior class.

“We were competing during camp, and there was a talented group of guys coming through. With depth, we are able to put our best 11 guys on the field.”

In the early going, Tout stated that both Oswald and Smoyer will handle the quarterback duties. Smoyer threw for 321 yards with four touchdowns and six interceptions last season.

“They are both different in their approach,” said Tout. “Andrew is a good runner, and Garrett is probably more of an accurate passer. They are both leaders and can get the job done.”

Junior Grady Newhard ran for 898 yards and scored six touchdowns, and he’ll be the feature back. Sophomore Chris Frame, who ran for 262 yards, will be counted on for his speed. Sophomore Mason Rothrock and senior Isaac Raber will also be in the rotation.

Tout has continued to tout his tandem that will be integral to their offensive production.

“We believe we will have a strong run game with Grady Newhard and Chris Frame with both of them seeing time at running back. With their talent and speed, we can develop into an explosive offensive team.”

Brody Sterner returns at wide receiver, but Tout has been impressed with Ryan Zambo and Reese Lipsky, both of whom will bring speed to the overall equation.

The line lost three multi-year performers, but it again will be a key to their success.

Three-year starter and senior Landon Moll will work on both sides of the line, and fellow senior Noah Herring is also expected to be a two-way performer. Moll and Herring will be on the right side, and senior center Eli Grady brings experience.

Twins Amir and Emil Mustafin, who just began playing football two years ago as linebackers, should play a major role on the defensive line.

Despite having some holes to fill, Tout is optimistic that there will be enough depth to avoid having a number of two-way starters.

“We need to develop our line after losing three starters,” said Tout. “We only return Landon Moll at end and must replace the three other positions. Noah Herring has been solid at the other end position, and we will play multiple players at defensive tackle.”

Newhard and Lipsky have moved to linebacker, and Raber has looked solid at middle linebacker.

Tout also is anxious to see if the secondary can take the next step. Frame, Zambo and Colin Karetsky all started as freshmen last season. Junior Ethan Grozier is penciled in as the other starter.

Like the offense, Tout sees speed as the prime factor for success on the opposite side of the ball.

“Defensively, we feel that our team speed will be our strength,” he stressed. “We are moving two starters from defensive back to linebacker and hope that will give us a faster back seven to our defense.”

Overall, Tout has high expectations and anticipates his team being in the postseason hunt. The Bulldogs will open against Lehighton — a 4A school — and they also have Northwestern — a 3A school that played in the state title game on their schedule.

“We will be a very competitive team this year, and we expect to compete for a district title,” said Tout. “Even though the schedules have changed, we feel playing a 3A or a 4A school helps us.

“If we take care of our schedule, it will take care of us. We feel we can compete with any school in District 11 this year.”

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No. Lehigh Position Breakdown

QUARTERBACKS

A year ago, Ayden Oswald — now a senior — went down with a season-ending knee injury in practice, and then-freshman Garret Smoyer took over. This season, both are expected to see time.

RUNNING BACKS

Junior Grady Newhard will be the feature back, but sophomore Chris Frame is expected to see plenty of time due to his speed. Both of them will be at tailback. Sophomore Mason Rothrock and senior Isaac Raber will split time at fullback.

WIDE RECEIVERS

The Bulldogs will be looking for sophomore Ryan Zambo to have a breakout year, using his speed to his advantage. Senior Reese Lipsky also should be a prime target. Senior Brody Sterner and sophomore Colin Karetsky should also have their share of touches. Senior Zane Roth and sophomore Chase Gall will battle at tight end.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Three-year starting guard Landon Moll and senior returnee Cyrus Kinchen will provide a strong right side. Senior Eli Grady will anchor at center, and juniors Kayden Novicki and Adam Neff will be at left guard and tackle respectively. Freshman Dawson Newhard will be the backup at center, Senior Noah Herring and sophomore Landen Klimek will work behind at guard, and seniors Brody Rothrock and Josh Haldaman will provide backup at tackle.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Landon Moll will begin the season as the team’s lone two-way starter. He’ll be at one end and junior Nate Kuhns will be on the other. Landen Klimek and sophomore Bill Slattery will also see time at end. Noah Herring and senior twins Emir and Emil Mustafin will be at the tackles.

LINEBACKERS

Issac Raber will be in the middle, and he had a good camp. Newhard and Rothrock should get the nod at the other spots. Lipsky, Kaden Quinones and Chase Gall will figure in the mix.

SECONDARY

This unit has the chance to take the biggest leap this season. Chris Frame, Ryan Zambo, and Colin Karetsky started as freshmen and made huge strides. Junior Ethan Grozier will be on another starter. Brody Sterner, Ayden Oswald, Garrett Smoyer, and Noah Gosart round out the chart.