By Steve Ruman

sports@vindy.com

WARREN

A 2014 season which started out full of hope quickly turned sour for the Warren Harding football program.

Following a 3-3 start, Harding High school officials discovered that the team had used an ineligible player in two of its wins. As a result the Raiders had to forfeit those games. Harding went on to lose three of its final four games, leading to a second straight 2-8 finish.

The recent disappointments left the Raiders anxious to get the 2015 campaign under way.

“Our players, they are going into this season with a huge chip on their shoulders,” said Raiders coach Steve Arnold. “We expect to play in Week 11. This community expects us to play in Week 11. We’re a proud program rich in tradition, and our players owe it to themselves and to the program to get things back to where they should be.”

OFFENSE

An already-experienced Raiders offense gained even more firepower during the off-season with the addition of junior quarterback Lynn Bowden — a transfer who last year accounted for 39 touchdowns at Liberty.

Bowden and junior Lynn Williams will compete for the signal-calling spot, but regardless, both should play a huge role offensively.

Bowden and senior Keemari Murry will provide perhaps the area’s best one-two punch from the backfield. Murry gained more than 1,000 yards in each of the last two seasons, including 2014, when he rushed for 1,178 gards and 10 touchdowns.

Seniors Myron Cunningham, Devin Stear and Kaleb Jones along with junior Taj Harper provide the Raiders with plenty of strength and experience in the trenches.

“Last year, we asked Keemari to do a lot, and he responded,” Arnold said. “This year, we have the luxury of having a lot of experience at the skilled positions and up front. That should take some pressure off him and open up our offense.”

DEFENSE

Jones and junior Naz Battee will anchor the defensive line, while the likes of Bowden, Marlin Richardson and Chris Clarke will give the Raiders experience and depth in the defensive backfield.

“Our goal is to be more aggressive defensively this year,” Arnold said. “We want to attack more. We want to go after the offenses.

“We want our players to do less thinking. just let them play. They’re smart athletes. They need to let their instincts take over.”

SPECIAL TEAMS

Senior kicker Nate Marchek returns for a third season. His leg should serve as a giant weapon on the Raiders’ special teams.

“When Nate came to us from soccer as a sophomore, he couldn’t kick 20 yards,” Arnold said. “Today he is putting balls into the end zone. That is a huge weapon in the high school game.

“Nate’s ability to change field position can make a big difference in games.”

The Raiders’ abundance of skilled players should provide for a solid return game.

OUTLOOK

With eight starters returning on offense and seven on defense, hopes were very high even before the summer began. Adding Bowen to the mix only strengthens the Raiders in all three aspects of the game.

“Our guys know there are no excuses,” Arnold said. “There are high expectations, and this group has worked extra hard throughout the offseason with the goal of meeting or exceeding those expectations. The effort and desire is definitely there.”

Harding should also benefit from its revised schedule. As a member of the All-American Conference, the Raiders will play six opponents from the Mahoning Valley.

“The added excitement of playing area schools, that helps everyone involved,” Arnold said. “The rivalries will spike interest and bring out the fans.”