By MIKE McLAIN

sports@vindy.com

NORTH JACKSON

The Jackson-Milton Bluejays made history last season with the school’s first playoff appearance.

With the sweet taste of football beyond Week 10 still lingering, the 12 starters that return from the 7-4 team that lost a first-round game to Mogadore undoubtedly want more of the same. That puts pressure on coach Mark Assion, who greeted nine seniors and six juniors at the start of camp.

The challenge will be greater if for no reason other than the loss of Assion’s son Michael, a Division VII second team all-state quarterback selection. Michael, a walk-on at Youngstown State as a safety, passed for 1,700 yards and 16 touchdowns and rushed for 400 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Another big loss was running back Joey Burnside, who rushed for 1,600 yards.

With a roster size of 29 at the start of camp, Mark Assion doesn’t have much in the way of numbers with which to work. He anticipates playing two sophomores and three freshmen.

“I grew up with the old school guys that believe that for every sophomore you play, you count it as a loss,” he said. “To be very candid, it’s scary.

“We know we’ll have to play those kids. What’s even scarier is I’ll probably have to play three freshmen right off the get-go.”

OFFENSE

Junior Zakary Lane has the demanding task of replacing Michael Assion at quarterback. Senior Johnathan Voland will get the call against Southington in the opener because of a one-game suspension to Lane dating to baseball season.

Senior Cameron Shaffer will get the majority of work at running back in the one-back set. Shaffer is a three-year starter at linebacker, but he’s making his initial appearance at running back. Junior Jimmy Harper will back up Shaffer.

The entire line had to be replaced. Expected starters up front are senior Zach Socha at left guard, junior Austin Mercer at right guard, junior Nick Scarl at left tackle and freshman Kent Gross at center.

Senior Noah Laster, who had 68 receptions in 2015, will be a split receiver. Junior Johnathan French and junior Taylor Kleinknecht will see time on the opposite side. Voland will move to a slot after his one start at quarterback. Vying for time at the other slot are senior Nick Vergallito, senior Mikey Spenser and sophomore Bryce Davis.

DEFENSE

The Bluejays will switch from a 4-2-5 to a 3-5-3. Shaffer and Scarl have five years of combined experience at linebacker. Harper or freshman John Landis will play at the other spot.

The nose tackle will be freshman Joey Keller. Socha will start at one tackle. Senior Dalton Vasko or Mercer will be at the other tackle.

Manning the corner spots in the secondary are Kleinknecht and Voland. Vergallito and French are the outside safeties, with Laster set at free safety.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Voland will be the kicker, with Laster settling in as the punter. The return specialists are Vergallito and Laster. Shaffer is the long snapper.

OUTLOOK

Attrition is always a problem for the Bluejays, who need to stay healthy.

“Western Reserve has 113 kids [enrolled] and McDonald has 120,” Assion said. “That’s 40 more kids that can possibly go out for football. That’s a significant difference we run into year in and year out.”