By Steve Wilaj

sports@vindy.com

East Palestine

When Tony Foster took the East Palestine job position prior to the 2013 season, he realized that the Bulldogs — coming off consecutive 2-8 seasons — lacked in a particular, yet fixable, area.

Strength and conditioning.

Two years later, he believes his program has made strides.

“I think with the maturity of our players on and off the field in the offseason, I think they’re finally getting to the point where they’ve caught up with other teams as far as strength and conditioning goes,” Foster said. “That piece — which the first two years, we were way behind — has been leveled out.”

Now, following a 3-7 2014 campaign that came after a winless 2013 debut season, the third-year head coach thinks his stronger East Palestine team — which lost just six seniors to graduation — is ready to take another positive step.

“I have a group of 15 seniors that have done a real nice job since they were sophomores of buying into the program and wanting to change the way the program has been going,” Foster said.

Offense

The Bulldogs’ hard work in the weight room will be on display up front in a veteran offensive line with four upperclassmen starters — led by seniors Aaron Proakis, guard, and Preston Gum, a tackle.

East Palestine’s main playmakers are all seniors: running backs Josh Pickett and Grant Wagner, as well as receivers Jared Figley and Ryan Ross. However, the Bulldogs’ quarterback position is a bit more unsettled, as Foster said it may be a two-man effort between Grant and freshman Parker Sherry.

“The nice thing about Wagner is that the kid’s so smart and has so much experience that we can plug him in anywhere,” he said. “Sherry — he has good arm strength, good mechanics and reads defenses real well. He’s a football junkie, not your typical freshman, and has the intangibles that will allow him to have success.”

Defense

East Palestine needs to make the most improvements on defense, as the Bulldogs surrendered 40 points per game in 2014.

Wagner — who led the team in tackles a year ago — returns at outside linebacker, while Ross is another key member of the unit at safety. Proakis, a defensive end, will lead a front four that “excites” Foster.

“What we have to do is just step up our effort and be more physical on defense,” Proakis said. “That’s where we lacked last year — on the defensive side of the ball — especially on the defensive line.”

Special Teams

As far as East Palestine’s kicking game goes, it enters the season in a different position than last year.

Halfway through the 2014 season, Josh Fristik emerged as the kicker, and he’s back to handle the duties this season.

Any combination of the Bulldogs four senior offensive playmakers will serve as the returners.

Outlook

The Bulldogs won two of three to end 2014 — and considering that they’re entering 2015 with 15 seniors in their third season under Foster — East Palestine is poised to be more competitive in the ITCL.

Much will depend on the defense making strides and if the Bulldogs can receive steady quarterback play from their senior-freshman combination.

“We’ve made great strides in the offseason in the weight room,” Proakis said. “Everyone really wants to improve and play better.”