By brandon judeh

sports@vindy.com

EAST PALESTINE

It’s hard to find positives in a winless season, but East Palestine used 2013 as a learning experience. First and foremost they learned that strength and conditioning play a major part in the outcome of a football game.

“Looking back at last year, we would play well for the first quarter and a half and then the emotion would wear off and the other teams were just stronger and in better shape than we were,” said head coach Tony Foster.

Not helping the matter was the fact that many of their seniors last season were playing their first year of football.

“We were young and inexperienced last season, now the kids coming back have that game experience under their belt and that should help,” Foster added.

OFFENSE

What’s old will be new again under center for the Bulldogs as senior Luke Cope will take over the duties he once held as a freshman and sophomore.

“Last season we tried him out at a couple different positions, then he missed the second half of the season with mono,” Foster said.

Most of Cope’s protection will be back, as four linemen will return, including Aaron Proakis (5-foot-10, 230 pounds), Preston Gum (6-3, 260) and sophomore Trevor Kimmel.

Wide receiver Josh Pickett looks to earn his third letter and be the leader of the receiving crop that may include 6-3 Grant Wagner and Alex Guy.

Randy Fegert and Nick Montgomery will man the backfield.

DEFENSE

The Bulldogs defensive backfield should be strong, as Pickett and Wagner will bring a lot of experience. Proakis and Kimble will steer the way for the big guys up front.

“I went back and watched the film from our first game vs. McDonald and you can see the inexperience, we were very raw,” Foster said. “By the end of the season you could really see the lineman catching on and using the techniques we taught them. They should be much improved in 2014.”

Junior Mike Loyd along with Fegert are expected to play linebacker. Cope may also see plenty of time as a linebacker.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Foster says that one of his top priorities in camp is to find someone who can be consistent at both kicking positions.

OUTLOOK

The Bulldogs have nowhere to go but up and with Foster heading into his second year as coach, his system is in place.

“This team is headed in the right direction, we aren’t there yet, but we are close,” Foster said.