For Northern Lehigh football, life hasn’t changed much.

Winning consecutive District 11 titles - 2A in 2021 and 1A last year - the Bulldogs are expected to be back in the hunt this fall. Before lofting another trophy, however, the Bulldogs will have to replace the bulk of last year’s offense.

However, head coach Joe Tout realizes that it is about changing the players while the play itself simply stays the same.

Gone are quarterback Nick Frame, and running backs AJ Jimenez and Izaiah Ramos - the trio that helped take them to the quarterfinal round of last year’s PIAA Class A playoffs. The Bulldogs finished with a 12-2 record and won eight straight games before their losing in states.

Back are linemen Brody Dye, Jackson Van Norman, and Landon Moll, the building blocks for this year’s team. Sam Frame also will be back in the mix. Tackling machine linebacker Bailey Smith (84 stops) also will have a major role.

“Those guys will dictate how far we can go,” Tout said. “We have four of our five (offensive) linemen back. Our linemen have been in the weight room the whole offseason. It seems like they have been lifting non-stop from morning to night. We did speed camp and everything we could. These guys are going to the field themselves.”

On the defensive side, the transition will not be a major difference, as their front seven have plenty of experience. Smith is the catalyst for the defense.

“Bailey is our emotional leader,” Tout said. “He flew around the field last year defensively, and he is a very physical player. Bailey has a big motor and keeps us going.”

Smith, one of nine seniors on the roster, believes the team likely will be less respected because of the graduation of so many talented players.

“We lost some talent, but we have some very good young talent here,” he said. “A lot of people think that we won’t be good enough. But we feel we can prove a lot of people wrong.

“We have a lot of talent, and we’re chomping at the bit to get it going.

One of the big keys for the Bulldogs will be junior Ayden Oswald, who will start at quarterback.

“Ayden had a good offseason,” Tout said. “He has some experience at the position from last year. He has grasped things well, and we all have a good feeling about him.”

Tout said the team will rely on a three-pronged attack of senior Jack Tosh, junior Reese Lispsky, and sophomore Grady Newhard to lead the running game.

Smith and senior tight end Chase Moffitt will pace the receiving corps.

Tout realizes his team’s offensive output will depend on the maturation of his new unit.

“Our success will depend upon our skill players,” Tout said. “We expect to be a run-heavy team this fall.”

Defensively, Dye (6-2, 250), Moll (6-0, 230), Van Norman (6-2, 250), Moffitt (6-0, 200), and Lipsky (5-9, 160) will all play a significant role.

“Defensively, we lost several multi-year starters that will be tough to replace,” Tout said. “We like what we have up front and with our linebackers. Our secondary has two starters returning, and we have several skill players who will be competing for spots.”

In spite of what appears to be an overhaul, Tout knows his team is ready to go. Unlike other schools, he didn’t involve his team in an extensive offseason program. Tout has tried to avoid the fast rise and the early decline.

“We did less than what other teams do,” Tout said. “Some teams are worn out by week 11 and 12. We don’t want our guys peaking in the middle of the season.

“We didn’t want to overwork our guys, and we didn’t attend all of the usual seven-on-sevens.”

Tout believes his team can overcome any obstacles and stay in the hunt.

“We feel we play the toughest schedule out of any Class A or Class 2A school in District 11,” Tout said. “If we are able to qualify for the district playoffs, we feel we will be as good as anyone else.”

POSITION BREAKDOWN

QUARTERBACKS

Junior Ayden Oswald takes over the reins from Nick Frame, and he has received plenty of high marks. Garrett Smoyer, a freshman, will be the backup.

RUNNING BACKS

The Bulldogs have to fill some big shoes by replacing AJ Jimenez and Izaiah Ramos. But head coach Joe Tout will look to fill the void with senior Jack Tosh, sophomore Grady Newhard, and juniors Reese Lipsky and Issac Raber. The Bulldogs plan to have another heavy ground game.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Austyn Smith is another big void left at tight end, but senior Chase Moffitt will be a big target and junior Brody Rothrock could also see some time at the position. Senior linebacker Bailey Smith will get a look at wide receiver, and junior Brody Sterner, sophomore Ethan Grozier, and junior Zane Roth have caught the coaching staff’s eyes. It could develop into a deep position.

OFFENSIVE LINE

This will be the meat and potatoes of the offense with senior Jackson Van Norman back at center, senior Brody Dye at left guard, and junior Landon Moll at right guard. Sam Frame Jr., a senior, saw plenty of time at left tackle, and it gives them four solid returning starters. Cyrus Kinchen has experience at right tackle. There is plenty of depth with younger players, who can mature and provide a future foundation.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Jackson Van Norman, Sam Frame, Brody Dye, and Cyrus Kinchen are all seasoned and secure the line. Juniors Eli Grady and Adam Neff, and sophomore Nate Kuhns should also see some playing time.

LINEBACKERS

Bailey Smith, Chase Moffitt, and Jack Tosh all give the Bulldogs another strength. Brody Rothrock, sophomore Kaiden Quinones, and senior Zach Lehman will be the backups.

SECONDARY

Ayden Oswald and Reese Lipsky will open at the safeties, and Grady Newhard and newcomer Zane Roth are at the corners. Brody Sterner, and freshmen Collin Karetsky and Chris Frame will also be in the mix.