By Greg Gulas

sports@vindy.com

BELOIT

Head coach D.J. Dota guided West Branch to a 7-3 mark a season ago and his team has had a winning record three of the past four campaigns.

The Warriors have shown a marked improvement over that span; yet the one goal that remains unfulfilled is playing a game during the 11th week of the season.

They last made the playoffs in 2007 and with such a rich athletic tradition at the school, going almost a decade without a postseason appearance is a lengthy drought.

“We’re picking up right where we left off last year in that we won two of our last three games, but finishing on a high note that has carried over to this year,” Dota said. “This is a team that wants to get better each time they put on their pads and they have a tremendous work ethic.”

As members of the Northeastern Buckeye Conference, the Warriors finished third last season and second in 2014.

However, they still find themselves chasing two-time defending champion Louisville which remains a challenge that Dota and crew readily accept.

“Anything can happen on Friday night so you have to be ready to play week in and week out,” Dota said. “It doesn’t matter what team you are, if you aren’t ready then anything can happen.”

OFFENSE

The Warriors will feature a multiple set offense with six offensive starters and 15 lettermen returning.

They averaged 21.6 points per game a year ago and junior signal-caller T.J. DeShields (99 of 156, 1,157 yards, seven TDs, two interceptions) returns under center to once again bark signals.

Running back Bob Lozier (137 yards, two TDs) and wide receiver Brett Butcher (21 catches, 206 yards) are back with Ryan Timpe and Matthew Steer battling for time in the backfield, and Kyle Linhart and Cameron Martig wide receiver hopefuls.

The tight ends include Jacob Ice and Ryan Timpe while the line that is expected to protect DeShields includes returnees Mitchell Craig, Ian Sharp and Carl Bates, and newcomers Nick Gainor, Nathan Shubert and Jacob Lyons.

DEFENSE

Defensively, expect to see a 4-3 alignment with Craig, who is one of five defensive returnees, anchoring the line.

Also expected to see playing time on the line are Ethan Griffith, Shubert and Ben Castellucci with Ice and Cole Pittman returnees at linebacker, and Matt Steer and Timpe battling for time as well.

Cameron Martig and Brett Butcher are secondary stalwarts with Lozier adding depth to a hard-hitting secondary

SPECIAL TEAMS

Marcus Hoopes and Marshall Ney are in a battle to see who will do the placekicking duties with Cole Bates and DeShields punting hopefuls.

Craig is the long snapper, Lyons the short snapper with Lozier and Butcher expected to handle both the punt and kick return duties.

OUTLOOK

The Warriors’ first three games are at home and they will play six homes games this season.

The anticipated matchup with league kingpin Louisville comes in the seventh week (Oct. 7) so by that time, they should know where they stand as a team.

Of the 47 players dotting their roster, eight are juniors and 25 are sophomores, so senior leadership is paramount if they expect to see the post-season for the first time in nine years.

“This is a team capable of making the playoffs, but we won’t know that until Week 10,” Dota said. “Overall, I believe that we can be team worthy of playoff consideration. However, we must fix what we need to along the way and reach our potential or we’ll fall short.”