By Marty Gitlin

sports@vindy.com

VIENNA

This playoff thing? The Mathews Mustangs can get used to it.

Their gridiron guys qualified for the postseason for the second straight year in 2015. They lost to Toronto in the first round, but the fact that they earned a fifth seed last season is encouraging heading into this one.

John Protopapa, who has taken over as head coach after four years as an assistant, believes the recent success has had a positive effect on this year’s group. “They’ve been there before and they understand what it takes to get there,” he said. “They’re also battle-tested, but we lost all five starting offensive linemen and a key backup, so we’re starting with all new kids.

Another issue boils down to numbers. A lack of freshmen coming out for the team has resulted in the roster limited to just 29 players. That means plenty of two-way talent for a Division VII team that lost 13 to graduation.

OFFENSE

The green offensive line to which Protopapa referred must protect second-year starting quarterback Dillon Canter, who is planning to run the option and throw more passes this season.

“He’s a pretty accurate passer, but he doesn’t throw the deep ball well or far,” Protopapa said. “But he does run the option well. Last year he didn’t throw the ball much, but this year with our new offensive line starters, we have to pass more with him.”

The Mustangs ran the wishbone the last four years and will continue to do so with some tweaking that will place them in the pistol formation on occasion. The loss of running back and Trumbull County Player of the Year Brian Leipply to graduation means that quick junior Daniel Canter (Dillon’s twin brother) takes over as the featured back. Senior Mitchell Goff will be utilized in short -yardage situations while senior Chris Taylor will also be carrying the ball.

Two of the premier receivers on the team are junior Chris Ritz and senior Ethan DiGiacomo, who was limited to two games last year and picked off four passes from the secondary. Sophomores Cabe Canter – he’s the younger Canter brother – and John Smith will be at tight end when the team utilizes a player at that position.

The inexperienced offensive line does return three players with some varsity experience in sophomore tackle Damian Foley, senior guard Teddy Watt and junior Santino Lamancusa.

DEFENSE

Protopapa knows the most important task of most high school defenses is to control the ground game. And only time will tell if his 4-4 unit can do it.

“Teddy Watt is entrenched and I’m happy with that, but most of the other guys up front are lacking in experienced,” he said. “I’m pretty confident against the pass, but we have to be able to stop the run first.”

That means Watt, who slots in at defensive end, will need help from fellow linemen such as senior Eddie Epperley, who lettered a year ago, as well as sophomore Tyler Piontkowski, Lamancusa and Foley. Daniel Canter, Goff and senior Jordan Hefner are set at starting linebacker positions with Smith or Gabe Canter battling it out for the other spot.

The lone starting safety is DiGiacamo, though junior Andrew Simon should get some playing time. The starting cornerbacks are Ritz and either junior Tanner Hunt or senior Alec Bower.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Mustangs boast a rather unusual placekicker in senior Noah Chrestay, who is close to equally adept kicking with either leg. He will be handling the extra points, field goals and kickoffs. The versatile DiGiaoamo is set as the starting punter.

OUTLOOK

A challenging schedule and newcomers at a lot of starting positions could result in early struggles for the Mustangs. It might take them some time to hit their stride, but there are enough returning players from last year’s playoff team to keep them afloat until experience kicks in.

“We’re going to have to be consistent with what we do and we’re going to have to pass the ball a lot more,” Protopapa said. “We’re going to have to be in shape and hope we can open up that passing game.”