2015 The Meadows Football Capsule

THE MEADOWS

League: Division III Southern

Head coach: Rod Vollen, first season

2014 record: 10-3 (7-0 Southern, first)

Returning lettermen: 10

Returning starters: four offense, five defense

Base offensive set: Spread

Base defensive set: Odd - 50

Top offensive players: WR Ethan Fridman (Sr.); RB Max Hisatake (Sr.); QB Jack Berkley (Jr.); OL Dominic Pallares (Jr.)

Top defensive players: LB Max Hisatake (Sr.); FS Ethan Fridman (Sr.); CB Adam Martinez (Jr.); CB Brock Prince (So.); LB Connor Bucknam (Jr.)

Top newcomers: WR/LB Antonio Gutierrez (Jr.); WR/DB Asheesh Chopra (Jr.); DL Thayne Carlson (Sr.); OL/DL Keanush Tafreshi (Sr.); WR/LB Nabeel Afzal (Sr.)

Key losses: OL/DL Mark Woodson; QB Jake Gleason; RB Bryson Navallo; LB Andrew McCall; DB Nathan DeVera; OL/DL Sam Chami; TE/DL Michael Jin; LB Alex Falk

Outlook: The Meadows finished as the state runner-ups last season, thanks to a senior-heavy roster that featured some of Division III's top players.

Overall, the Mustangs lost 10 seniors to graduation, including Woodson (Division III Player of the Year) and Navallo (All-Southern League second team). They also have just one returning starter on the offensive line in Pallares, as Hisatake chose to undergo a position change to running back.

First-year coach Vollen remains optimistic, though, with the return of Fridman and Berkley.

Fridman, who finished with 776 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last season, is back as the team's top offensive weapon. His playmaking ability will make Berkley's transition to quarterback much easier.

As a sophomore, Berkley averaged 5.1 yards per carry at running back and ended the season with 871 yards and 14 TDs.

Hisatake will be the anchor on a defense that returned five starters. He looks to lead the team in tackles for the second consecutive season.

Vollen said it will be critical for his returning veteran players "to play at a high level early, even those undergoing position changes, to get off to a solid start" and that the "younger players must grow up quickly and follow the lead of the veterans."

He believes if the team's quality offseason transitions to the regular season, The Meadows will have a chance to contend for a playoff spot.