The Van-Far football program hasn’t been this optimistic in a long time.

The Indians recorded their first winning season in 19 years with a 6-5 record, including winning their first district game since 2014. Most of that team is back for this season.

Head coach Lucas Gibson said Van-Far has been stable all summer in the 20s and expects to be in that range when the season begins. He said the roster has grown over the last few years thanks to kids coming back, including a large chunk of them for their third year.

“That big sophomore class we had last year, they’re all out again this year,” Gibson said. “We’re going to be junior-heavy. We have about 10 of those, so almost half of our team is going to be juniors.”

Gibson said those juniors along with some returners in other classes are talented players as well, especially those that will be entrenched on the offensive and defensive lines. Jackson Fischer, Evan Utterback and Easton Sharp – at center – all won awards a year ago as did receiver Gaven Gaston.

Dalton Dameron, Pacey Reading, Dalton Hays and Brandon Kurz will be returning players up front for Van-Far and will look to mix well with Carson Huff and Gibson Condie, who each played their first season of football last year. Reece Culwell and Kasen Christian will be quarterbacking by committee after the graduation of award-winning dual-threat quarterback Nikos Connaway.

“Our strong point this year will be our offensive and defensive line,” Gibson said. “This will be their third year starting. We’re going to be stronger all the way around.”

Award-winning transfers Malik and Tyson Douglas will be newcomers Gibson is excited to see what they do in-person. They will be valuable pieces in the backfield – following the graduation of all-state athlete Gage Gibson – and the linebacking corps, and their little brother Cayden Douglas has looked good at cornerback.

“Those guys are going to step right in and take over their roles,” Gibson said. “I haven’t seen them play in a game other than on film. I’m excited to see it.”

Gibson said Van-Far’s program has grown from the point when low numbers caused a premature end to the season two years ago. The Indians have depth at every position on both sides of the ball as well commitment from the kids filling those roles.

The key to Van-Far rising from its low point a few years back has mostly to do with the younger kids coming back, Gibson said, and the only concern is integrating new additions into the system.

“We have some options,” Gibson said. “We’re not limited to one person playing that position the whole entire game or season. I feel a lot better about it than I have in the past two years.”

Gibson believes a better record is possible this season, highlighted by a district championship that the Indians were one game away from playing for a season ago. Van-Far’s offensive and defensive average were both at 22 points per game last year and could be even better.

“Our defense is going to be better, and our offense is going to be better too,” Gibson said.