By BRANDON JUDEH

August 25, 2013 at 12:00a.m.

By BRANDON JUDEH

East Palestine

After starting 0-6 — and finishing 2-8 — last season, East Palestine has a new coach in Tony Foster. He’s not the only one that’s new.

“We are very young, but we need to work hard and make up for that lack of experience,” Foster said.

OFFENSE

With little experience at running back, Foster is shaking the offense up a bit by putting two-year letterman and former quarterback Luke Cope in the backfield.

Senior Justin Fristik is the leading candidate to take over East Palestine’s spread offense while an offensive line led by Chris Raley and 6-foot-3, 300-pound junior Cody McGath will look to keep him safe in the pocket.

Underclassman Josh Pickett and 6-3 big man Nick Monteleone will no doubt be favorite targets for Fristik.

“Our skill guys have done a nice job, that is where most of our experience is and they are going to be the leaders on the field,” Foster said.

Monteleone led the team with 34 catches for 560 yards and four touchdowns last season.

DEFENSE

Cope, Raley, Monteleone and Pickett will spearhead the young defense.

“Sophomore Josh Pickett has done a real nice job stepping up on the defensive end, he will be playing either safety or cornerback,” Foster said.

Joining Pickett in the defensive backfield will be Monteleone and Grant Wagner.

Cope and Raley will play linebacker while senior Logan Frye will anchor an inexperienced defensive line.

“Our goal is to improve every time we step out onto the field,” Foster said. “Overall I want them to be able to compete in every game.”

SPECIAL TEAMS

Foster says that the race for kicker and punter is very much up in the air, but the leading candidates are Billy Bibby for punting, Dakota Mitchell on kickoffs and Payton Patterson kicking extra points.

OUTLOOK

The Bulldogs gained some momentum at the end of 2012, pulling off two wins in their final four outings, including a 20-12 win at Lisbon.

To add to the momentum, the Bulldogs have seen their total number of players increase by more than half. Last year East Palestine fielded just 26 players, this year they will suit up 55.

East Palestine will need to use these things and build off of them if they want to compete in the tough ITCL upper tier.

“The kids are responding very well to our new system and coaching staff,” Foster said. “They are doing what is asked of them and they have that desire and will to win, they just have to learn how to do it.”