Bowdon High School football coach Dwight Hochstetler knows the expectations are high for his team coming off a 9-2 mark in 2008 with multiple players returning this season.

And as much as the 22nd-year Red Devil coach is hoping the momentum and experience gained last season can be a driving factor this year, he knows it will be a clean slate and that it will take plenty of hard work to finish strong once again, a process that started with Monday’s first fall practice.

“Hopefully we get the kids in the right places and have some positive things happen,” Hochstetler said.

Senior Avery Cheeks returns at quarterback.

But with running backs Ivan Glenn and J.J. Beasley graduated and Jordon Loveless out for his senior season after a neck injury sustained during wrestling, sophomore Maricio Askew is Bowdon’s most experienced returning runner from a season ago after showing strong potential in limited carries as a freshman.

While the backfield has plenty of new faces, Hochstetler said it still could be one of his team’s biggest assets.

“Our backfield is going to be very young, inexperienced, but the talent’s there,” Hochstetler said.

He also feels good about his receivers, saying they could play a much bigger role this year.

With a multitude of guys with good hands and pass-receiving ability, Hochstetler hinted that the Red Devils could also put the ball in the air more this season, even if it is just passing it to the backs.

“We may throw the football a little bit more this year,” Hochstetler said.

“But our offense is to run the ball and not throw it when we have to, but throw it when we want to.”

And after his young players stepped in on the offensive line to provide a major boost a season ago, the coach is looking for another solid season in the trenches, as well.

“We’re not going to be very big, but we do have that experience,” Hochstetler said. “And you know, they will get after you.”