The Hearts return their leading rusher (Weldon Dunston) and leading receiver (Andrew Lotz) on offense and a couple of all-conference performers on defense. Michael Love was a first team All-Apollo selection at defensive end, while Spencer Fox was named to the second team as a linebacker.

But there will be a total of 16 new starters – eight on both sides of the ball. There are no returning starters in the defensive secondary and only one offensive lineman is back. In addition, two of the projected starters on the offensive line are injured and will miss some games.

“We’ve got a ton of question marks right now,” Hefner said. “I don’t like playing kids both ways, so there are still some decisions to make. Some of that might not get sorted out until we get into games and see how the kids respond. There’s a big difference between Monday night (JV games) and Friday night (varsity games). We’re just trying to get it all figured out.”

The strength of the team is the defense, especially the seven “box defenders.” And it all starts along that defensive line.

Seniors Charlie Ring, a three-year starter, and Eli Middendorf will start on the interior at defensive tackle, while Love, a junior, and Kayden Mietzner, another junior, will anchor the defensive end positions.

“This group will get after people,” Hefner noted. “They should be strong against the run and in pressuring the quarterback.”

Fox, a senior, along with junior Kaden Koeberlein will be the starting linebackers and senior Zach Donaldson will be at strong safety.

Love led the Hearts last year with 56 total tackles, while Fox recorded 43.

“Those seven kids are pretty good,” Hefner said. “They should cause some problems for opposing offenses.”

The secondary will be inexperienced.

Sophomore Wade Bushur will start at free safety and senior Jacob Weaver will be at the Heart position, which is basically like playing safety.

Four players are battling for the two cornerback positions – seniors Camden Raddatz, who is playing football for the first time, Logan Kessler and Gaige Gillum, along with junior Nick Martin.

“Our defensive box people, we think, are pretty talented,” Hefner said. “Our defensive backs have to do a good job of keeping the ball in front of them.”

Coach Hefner plans a familiar approach on offense.

“We’ll be a run first offense,” he noted. “You have to be able to run the football. Then, we have to find ways to make more explosive plays than we did last year. These kids are a year older, plus they’re stronger and faster.

“A key for us will be how quickly our offensive line can mature and take off,” Hefner added. “I think this group of linemen has a good chance to be pretty good for us. But they will need to mature quickly.”

Gone from last year’s team is quarterback Tanner Pontious, who threw for 1,006 yards, ran for 511 more and accounted for 18 touchdowns – 11 through the air and 7 on the ground.

Stepping in this season is senior Gaige Gillum.

“He hasn’t taken a varsity snap, but he has been in our system for four years,” Hefner explained. “He just needs reps. He’s not as powerful of a runner as Tanner, but he’s more elusive and he’s got a strong arm. I think Gage can be explosive. He’s getting better each day. Like I said, he just needs reps.”

Dunston, a junior, returns as the lead running back. He ran for 714 yards a year ago and scored 10 TDs.

“Weldon had a great offseason in the weightroom,” Hefner said. “He is definitely stronger and faster. I thought by the end of last year, he was running the ball very well. And, he’s had an outstanding pre-season in practice.”

Also back is senior Andrew Lotz. The 6’4” receiver led the Hearts with 34 catches and 456 yards last season. He also had five touchdowns.

“I’m expecting good things from Andrew,” Hefner admitted. “I was very pleased how he came on last year. He catches the ball well and he’s been a good leader for us.”

Senior Hunter Reed, a converted tight end, will play fullback. Others battling for playing time at receiver include junior Brodie Belcher, sophomores Brock Meltabarger and Wade Bushur, and senior Jacob Weaver.

Junior Colton Webb will get the start at tight end, plus Hefner indicated Michael Love might play there some as well.

The lone returning starter on the offensive line is Maddox Burner. The 6’1”, 185-pound senior, will handle one of the guard spots. The other guard figures to be 6’1”, 240-pound junior Landon Wallace. Seaton Hall, a 6’, 250-pound junior, will start at center, while James Wise, a 6’4”, 280-pound sophomore, and Carson McBride, a 6’1”, 205-pound junior, will be the two tackles.

Junior Rylan Pals, a 6’3”, 240-pound junior, and senior Brady Stortzum, a 6’, 230-pound senior, were projected starters in that offensive line. Pals is recovering from a hip injury, while Stortzum is battling an ankle injury. Hefner expects both to play this season, but their exact return date is unknown.

“We’re going to have rookie starters in that line,” Hefner said. “They will have to adjust to the speed of a varsity game.”

Sophomore Maicol Sefton will handle the kickoff and extra point/field goal duties, while either Weaver or Lotz will do the punting.

Three of the four non-conference opponents – Robinson, Mt. Carmel and Centralia – reached the playoffs a year ago. Mt. Carmel and Centralia made it to the second round.

The Hearts first three games will be against non-conference foes – at Robinson on August 25; and then back-to-back home games against Mt. Carmel on September 1 and Breese Mater Dei on September 8. Effingham will end its season October 20 on the road at Centralia.

From September 15 through October 13, there will be five straight Apollo Conference contests. The Hearts will be at Matton on September 15; at Charleston on September 22; at home against Taylorville on September 29; at Mahomet-Seymour on October 6; and at home against Mr. Zion on October 13.

“Robinson and Mt. Carmel both have a lot of kids back,” Hefner said. “Mahomet lost a lot of kids, but their lower levels were very talented. And Mt. Zion returns every one of their skill players, plus a couple linemen. Charleston, Mattoon and Taylorville all have a bunch of people returning and I expect them to be improved. We’re facing a tough schedule again this year.”

Overall, Hefner has been pleased with what he’s seen so far in practice.

“You just never know how the kids will respond to varsity action,” he noted. “If we make adjustments and mature quickly, I think we can have a successful season. I think we’re all anxious to get the season started and find out.”

Kickoff Friday night in Robinson will be at 7 p.m.