By Doug Chapin

dchapin@vindy.com

SOUTHINGTON

After an 0-10 mark the season before he arrived, coach Ryan Slone’s Southington teams have had records of 3-6, 4-6 and 5-5, including a playoff berth in 2013.

The Wildcats were Division VII playoff participants, losing 55-7 to Norwalk St. Paul in the first round.

“It was one of our goals last year and reaching a goal always helps the returning kids,” Slone said. “It gives them confidence. That feeling that we may be a small school with not many kids but we can still accomplish some big things.”

OFFENSE

Despite losing most of their 2013 production out of the backfield, the Wildcats still consider their skill position players a strength. The group is led by senior wide receiver Justin Len.

“We threw him in the fire, he started game one of his freshman year, and he’s been starting ever since,” Slone said. “The last couple years he’s been a two-way starter full-go and the last year he’s gotten stronger in the weight room and become a real big leader.”

Throwing to Len will be junior Travis Lehman or sophomore Cameron Mazzola. The “loser” of the battle will start at the wideout position opposite Len. Throw in sophomore tight end Buck Baugher and the Wildcats’ “Wes Welker,” sophomore Zack Weaver, and Southington should have a solid receiving group.

Sophomore Cody Helmuth is expected to get most of the snaps at running back with Christian Romigh moving from guard to fullback. The offensive line features two-year starters Josh Schotten and Tyler Regal-Sullivan. Freshman Logan Rhodes is expected to start at center and Justin Pickett, who lettered last year, will be a tackle.

DEFENSE

The Wildcats have four returning starters on the defensive line, Scholten, Regal-Sullivan, Pickett and Baugher.

“It’s going to have to be a strength,” Slone said of his DL. “We had our ups and downs last year but this year they are coming in quicker and stronger.”

Romigh and Helmuth return as starters at linebacker in the 4-3 look with three others battling for the third spot.

Len will be joined in the secondary by Lehman, Mazzola, Weaver and junior Tait Kline.

OUTLOOK

Slone said his goal when he took the position was to create a program that competes for league titles and playoff berths.

“We keep building depth in that direction and we are taking small steps but we want to build the program to where we’re always in the mix every year,” he said.