Rebuild or reload?

Rebuild or reload?

Either will test the West Delaware football team and head coach Doug Winkowitsch.The Hawks lost a staggering amount of production to graduation, returning only 78 yards from a state quarterfinal team that amassed nearly 4,500 yards rushing and passing. West Delaware opens the season Friday at DeWitt Central.By the numbers, the offensive cornerstones to last year's 10-2 squad are gone. The Hawks do not have anyone who has completed a varsity pass and more than 97 percent of the rush yards, including 459 of 486 carries, left with a diploma. Of the 394 points scored last year, only 36 were accounted for by current players."We're very inexperienced in our backfield," West Delaware Coach Doug Winkowitsch said. "We're trying to gain some depth there. We have a couple receivers back, but our backfield is brand new."Experience is not as scarce up front. The Hawks return right tackle Adam Reth, center Brock Morris and left guard Travis Meisgeier. Senior Dean Broghammer will also be included on the offensive and defensive lines."We'll have some growing pains with the offense, but we're, at least, going to be solid up front where we can establish some things on the ground," Winkowitsch said, "and get our young kids a couple games under their belts."The big shoes were left vacant by versatile quarterback Trey MacTaggart, who threw for 1,399 yards and rushed for 1,095 and contributed to 23 total touchdowns, and running back Sam Lahr, who rushed for 1,784 yards and 28 TDs. Enter sophomore quarterback Brent Lammers and running backs Ryan Dudak and Timmy Tutton. Dudak is the only one to carry the ball last year, running three times for a one-yard loss."We will certainly try to be as balanced as we can," Winkowitsch said. "We have to use these first couple games as a measuring stick."I think Brent throws the ball well. As long as he can manage the game, we feel good about our passing game. It will take some time."The transition might be helped with talent at wide receiver. Jacyn Goebel returns with 386 yards on 29 catches, including three TDs. Jack Curley added 306 receiving yards and two TDs. Dudak caught six balls for 60 yards and a score."They do a nice job," Winkowitsch said. "Having those kids back for a young quarterback will help him."Reth said the Hawks have players capable of making an immediate, but constant improvement will be an important factory to success."You just keep giving them reps," Reth said. "Our main goal is to keep getting better."It also helps to have a seasoned line. It might be easier to run through a hole than create one when you're green. Winkowitsch said he feels comfortable with the current situation, mainly due to the talent up front."Those guys are going to make good decisions for the kids in the backfield," Winkowitsch said. "It's a lot easier than the other way around."The theme continues on defense, where four of the top 15 tacklers come back and two of the 14 turnovers are from returners. The defensive line, led by Reth, Broghammer and Meisgeier, is expected to make the biggest impact as well. The trio with Goebel will be a select group the Hawks will rely on playing both ways to start."You'd like to get enough kids that will back them up to keep them fresh," Winkowitsch said. "We don't have a lot of kids going both ways, but the ones we do are pretty important."The linemen's broad shoulders are big enough to carry the team, but the players don't have that mindset."It's a team game," Reth said. "I wouldn't say the line is going to do it by themselves, but we're going to do our best."Reth is at the top of the list. He was third on the team with 64 tackles at defensive tackle. Reth has provided leadership on and off the field."He's our anchor," Winkowitsch said. "He's had a tremendous work ethic. He's pretty good."Reth, at 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, aspires to play college football. He has garnered attention from state schools and has been offered to play for NCAA Division II Upper Iowa."I just set my goals as high as I can," said Reth, the defending Class 2A 195-pound wrestling champion. "I do have a dream of playing college football. I'll play hard this year and hopefully someone will notice."The Hawks will have to be good in a tough district, including 2011 Class 3A state runner-up Decorah and Western Dubuque. Both teams beat West Delaware last season.The season opens against a solid Sabers team and their first-year head coach Mike Miller. He led Lone Tree to a 10-2 mark last year, losing twice to Class A state champion Lisbon. Central was 4-5 a year ago. Week 1 is always tough to prepare for and a new coach adds to the challenge."It makes it even more difficult when you really have no idea what they're going to bring to the table," Winkowitsch said. "We keep taking the approach we have to prepare for everything and we feel we have to give the team every scenario we can and hope we play well."