BELVIDERE — Belvidere coach Matt Weckler knows his team has its work cut out for it this season. But the goal remains the same for the Bucs: win at least five games and reach the playoffs.

Thanks to the split with Belvidere North a year ago, Belvidere has just 32 players on its varsity roster. That’s a drastic change from last year’s team, which made it to the third round of the playoffs with a deep and talented team that included 58 players. Still, Weckler isn’t expecting any less this time.

“We’ve had to change our approach. How are we going to keep kids fresh and energetic and not wear them down,” he said. “We may not be as talented as we were last year, but if we’re successful, it will be more meaningful. It will show how much work the kids and coaches did.”

Fewer players have meant more reps in practice for virtually everyone. Weckler has toned down the contact drills in order to keep players healthy. Some players have changed positions from last season and three will be playing both ways.

EDDY MONVTILLE | RRSTAR.COM
Matt Safranek takes a drink
Aug. 20 at practice at Belvidere
High School.

“We’re trying to put our kids in a position to be successful,” Weckler said. “If I knew I was going to have these players for all nine weeks, I’d be pleased. But I know how grueling the NIC-10 is, and that’s where the depth problem hurts.”

Leading the offense is speedy senior Tiras Harris, who played halfback last season. Harris will not only carry the ball, but he will line up at wide receiver and take plenty of snaps at quarterback. Junior James Johnson will also see action at quarterback.

“Everyone knows that Tiras is our No. 1 player,” Weckler said. “If he’s playing multiple positions, it’s going to be hard for defenses to key on him. He gives us an extra dimension.”

But Harris isn’t the only player the Bucs will rely on. Matt Safranek will carry plenty of the load much the way last year’s fullback, Patrick O’Brien, did. O’Brien rushed for more than 1,600 yards for the 9-3 Bucs. Safranek learned plenty from his predecessor. “The biggest thing I learned was not to go down easily and keep my feet going,” he said.

“Our offense is fullback driven,” Weckler added. “We’re going to ride Safranek like we did O’Brien.”

The offensive line is anchored by center Brian Voss, who will also play middle linebacker. “He’s not flashy,” Weckler said. “He’s just a football player who makes plays.”

And that’s what Belvidere expects from its talented defensive line this year. The Bucs hope an aggressive front four, led by senior A.J. Gross, who moves from offensive to defensive line this season, will take the pressure off its linebackers and defensive backs. Seniors Harrison Ford, Anthony Robles and junior Andrew Garlanger join Gross on the front line.

— Paul Anthony Arco can be reaced at paularco@aol.com.