By Ryan Buck

sports@vindy.com

BELOIT

The West Branch Warriors and coach D.J. Dota engineered one of the area’s great turnarounds in 2014. One season removed from a 1-9 struggle, West Branch turned in a 6-4 season, highlighted by four straight wins to conclude the season.

Current Youngstown State freshman lineman Jacob Zinni graduated, leaving large shoes to fill on both sides of the line. Receiver and defensive back Kip DeShields also graduated, leaving a top playmaker spot up for grabs.

There are many decisions to be made before Week 1 in Beloit.

The quarterback position is yet to be decided as well and Dota says he will not decide on a starter until he has seen the preseason scrimmages conclude.

“That’s going to frame a lot of who we are,” said Dota, who also has to determine each starter at wide receiver and running back. “These decisions will dictate who we are offensively. We know what our base formations are and what our plays are.

“We run the same formation, but depending on who the quarterback is, there’s one thing we may do with one more than the other.”

Offense

Dota says senior Trae Hillyer and sophomore T.J. DeShields are vying for the quarterback job.

The Warriors averaged nearly 30 points per game, but were shut out by Northeastern Buckeye Conference power Louisville and hit their stride late during their season-ending winning streak.

“I think our strength is at the line,” Dota said, including pass and block threat tight end Jeremy Gorby in that discussion. “We’ve got four guys back who played for us last year.”

Hillyer has played all across the offense and will be looked to as a playmaker no matter his position.

Defense

Dota is excited to see what his defense can do against the run game, an area which piqued his interest immediately as camp opened.

The defensive backfield will no doubt be a strength as three starters return.

“I feel really confident in what we can accomplish as a defense because of those three guys,” Dota said of Hillyer, Blake Sitch and Logan Berger.

Six starters return in total.

Special Teams

The Warriors are set with their punting and return games as a host of athletes will be ready and able. Dota lost his kicker to injury last season, which spiraled into a struggle as the season went on.

Outlook

Most obvious to be determined is the quarterback competition resolution. Hillyer is an accomplished veteran while DeShields has excellent bloodlines.

A talented defensive backfield will solidify the defense.

Dota placed special emphasis on someone emerging as a reliable kicker as the NBC will be very competitive once again. Louisville visits Oct. 9 in a highly anticipated clash.

West Branch is looking to carry its winning streak and the momentum it carries with it into 2015.