There will be plenty of opportunities for the Van-Far Indians this year.

After the football program’s first district championship since 2000, many members of that team graduated to clear the way for a new starting group. There won’t be any full-time starters returning from last year, according to head coach Lucas Gibson.

Gibson said the roster of around 20 boys is junior and freshman dominant. Everybody who isn’t a freshman has experience practicing against the departed seniors even if they don’t have much game experience yet.

“The sophomores and juniors this year have been playing against that district championship team,” Gibson said. “They’ve seen what it takes going up against them everyday in practice, and I feel like it has helped these guys out.”

Gibson said he is looking forward to see how they translate that to games this season. The Indians this year are hungry for playing time and to make their mark.

One example is junior running back and defensive back Cayden Douglas. He has dealt with injuries in the past, but he has provided good speed whenever he has been on the field, averaging 10 yards per carry as a freshman.

“He’s super hungry, and I am excited to see that,” Gibson said.

Gibson said junior Terry Little and sophomore Bryson Poindexter are ready to lead the new line. Senior Taniel Little will be part of the group along with sophomore center Roger Preston and senior Chase McAfee. The line has been Van-Far’s strength over the last several years and has had multiple all-conference and all-district selections.

“They do,” Gibson said when asked if they have meshed well together so far. “I’ve been really pleased. It just gets monotonous because we’ve been going since July 1. They’re ready to hit somebody else, I think.”

Corbin Roed is a junior who will play quarterback for the first time. Gibson likes the dual-threat skillset he brings to the position and how he is excited to take on the challenge.

“He’s picked it up really well,” Gibson said. “I mentioned to him at graduation that we’re going to need a quarterback, and he said, ‘I’ve got you coach.’ That’s what I need to hear. He’s really put the time in at the weight room and is a tough kid.”

Bryce Reading enters his junior season and is expected to be key at defensive end. Ronnie Stanich will be a senior outside linebacker, so he is one of most experienced on the team. The Little brothers will be on the defensive line, and senior Brady Puls will play safety in his first year on the team.

“We’ll be faster and able to cover better than we did last year,” Gibson said. “Last year, we could stop the run. This year, I’m hoping we can stop the run, but I think our pass coverage will be better this year.”

Van-Far has three straight winning seasons. To accomplish much, Gibson said this year’s Indians should keep one word in mind.

“We put in a thing this year we call HEAT,” Gibson said. “Bring the HEAT, or hustle, effort, attitude and toughness. I told them that on the first day. If we have all four of those things, we can be competitive.”