In every high school sport, graduation changes the talent and experience levels coming into a new season.

Last season, Jim Thorpe won eight games and captured an Eastern Conference championship. But the Olympians lost 17 seniors from that team - and 35 overall the past two seasons.

So head coach Mark Rosenberger’s squad is entering the 2020 campaign with a revamped roster. The good news for Rosenberger and Olympian fans is that it still contains a large number of talented football players.

“We may lack experience at several positions, but we’re excited about the athletes we’re going to send out onto the field,” Rosenberger said.

You don’t just plug in another name to replace star running back, CJ Selby, who rushed for over 3,800 yards and scored 49 touchdowns during his Olympian career, but Rosenberger is confident his new bevy of backs can generate a productive running game.

Jason Bowen, Brandon Fasolino, and Gavin Fikentscher are all big, fast, and run downhill. Throw explosive freshman Salvatore Capria into the rotation and Jim Thorpe has the possibilities of a running back by committee approach that could offer fresh legs every offensive series.

The skilled position that remains the same is at quarterback, where Davier Calcano, who threw 15 TD passes last season, returns to direct the Olympian spread offense.

“Davier has an even better grasp on what we want to do on offense,” said Rosenberger. “He is showing more confidence every day and is now doing things like repositioning his backs when they’re in the wrong spot before the snap.

“He makes smart decisions with the football and knows when to dump the ball or scramble for yards if he doesn’t see an open receiver.”

Thorpe returns only one starter on the offensive line, but in AJ Bailor, Rosenberger has the type of player a coach loves to build around. An award-winning powerlifter at 6-1 inch and 260 pounds, Bailor will lead a giant-sized line that will also feature senior tri-captain Gabe Herschman at left tackle, and weighs over 1,200 pounds collectively.

“They are all strong and light on their feet,” said Rosenberger, who begins his 24th season at Jim Thorpe with nearly 150 victories.

The Olympian offense features wide receivers who will also carry the rock in their jet sweep packages. Chris Strika leads a fast group that can stretch the field for big passing plays. With their size and strength, tight ends, Ian Hubbard and Bryson Heydt, will complement the massive offensive line in the trenches and add to the passing game.

“With our speed at the wideouts, our tight ends should be able to get open down the seams,” Rosenberger said.

The new version of the Red Swarm defense will try to replicate last year’s edition thatat one point during the season posted four consecutive shutouts. Tri-captain Derek Hunter bolsters a defensive line of big bodies that will move over from the other side of the ball.

Junior Cameron Tinajero heads a linebacking corps that Rosenberger said will have a nice combination of size and speed, and that fits the Olympians’ philosophy of physical football.

The secondary may lack experience, but not athleticism. The groups speed and quickness should once again allow Thorpe to get plenty of bodies to the ball carrier.

As with all the programs currently preparing for this gridiron season, questions about what offensive and defensive schemes best fit the personnel are front and center for Rosenberger and his staff.

“We don’t know what we have until we put on the pads and hit somebody else,” Rosenberger said.

“We do know we have a lot of players with a high football IQ and young players who are very athletic, but they will have to mature quickly.”

Replacing 16 starters is an obvious challenge for Jim Thorpe.

“We will have to do a better job coaching to get this group ready,” said Rosenberger.

Another challenge is to find a place to play their home games while their new field is currently under construction.

For now, however, the Olympians are just focusing on playing football no matter where the games will be held.

That first opportunity will be at Marian on Sept. 11.

POSITION BREAKDOWN

QUARTERBACKS – Davier Calcano returns as the signal caller after a promising junior year. Head coach Mark Rosenberger cites his QB’s maturity and understanding of offensive schemes as reasons to believe he will improve on his 15 TD passes from a season ago. Backups are Brett Balliet and Drew Wimmer.

RUNNING BACKS – In an effort to replace superback CJ Selby, Jim Thorpe will look to a group of backs that includes Jason Bowen, Brandon Fasolino, Gavin Fikentscher and Sal Capria..

WIDE RECEIVERS – Roesenberger feels he can stretch the field with speed burners Chris Strika, Derryl Fisher and David Fiorito at the wide receiver positions.. At tight end, Ian Hubbard and Bryson Heydt have good size and strength.

OFFENSIVE LINE – Gone are Cobe Frycklund, Tyler Hartman, and Garrett Holloway, but the revamped interior is massive. Freshman Noah Rosahac (6-5, 256) lines up at guard opposite AJ Bailor (6-1, 260). The tackles are David Wiley (6-5, 300) and Gabe Herschman (6-2, 236). Anchoring at center is Jared Newhall (5-10, 190). Paul Rutledge, Tiernan McCartney and Nate Lopez will spell the front five.

DEFENSIVE LINE – Rosenberger praises the athletic agility of his big men and they come with some experience as well. Herschman, Wiley, and Rosahac will work in the rotation at tackle along with Derek Hunter (6-2, 289). Manning the edges will be Bailor and Bryson Heydt (6-5, 275)with Newhall also in the rotation.

LINEBACKERS – The second level is still a work in progress for the Red Swarm. Junior Cameron Tinajero mans the middle with football savvy and leadership. Fasolino has shown he can come off blocks and get to the ball carrier with his speed. Sophomores Jave Butler and Dominic Berger will see time along with Ian Hubbard.

SECONDARY – Newcomer Jordan Burak will join a cornerback rotation that includes Strika and Gavin Fikentscher. At safety, Nick DeFrancesco, Aleksandrs Kimasins, Drew Wimmer and Brett Balliet will all be competing for playing time.