STANFORD - The Olympia High School football team will sport a new look this season: Seniors. | Photo gallery | U Pick 'Em

"We have 14 seniors coming back, which is the most we've had since I've been here," said third-year Olympia coach Matt Koeppel. "Last year I had three. It's kind of nice to have some senior leadership out here."

Olympia should have plenty of offensive firepower, starting with quarterbacks Aaron Frazier and Brent Williams. The duo combined to throw for over 900 yards last season, and Frazier rushed for a team-high 590 yards in earning honorable mention all-Corn Belt Conference honors.

"Frazier and Williams will probably alternate like they did last year," Koeppel said. "Each one does something better than the other one. Brent is more of a thrower, and Aaron is more of a runner. Aaron plays a little receiver, too."

The backfield will feature senior Travis McDannald and promising sophomore Chase Hainline. Senior wide receiver Alex Freshour (44 catches, 675 yards, 5 touchdowns) joined Frazier as an honorable mention Corn Belt performer.

"Travis McDannald is a pretty darn good tailback," Koeppel said. "He's a senior, he's hungry and he's ready to have a good year. Chase is pretty good. A lot of people wanted me to bring him up to the varsity last year, but I thought I would try to bring him along slowly. I didn't think it was important enough to rush him."

The experience also extends to the offensive and defensive lines, where six senior starters return.

"I think we're going to be better than last year," Koeppel said. "We'll just line up on Friday night and see what happens."

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Meet the Spartans

Head coach - Matt Koeppel, 3rd season, (2-year record 2-16)

Conference - Corn Belt

2007 - 2-7 (1-7 Corn Belt).

Roster

SENIORS

Aaron Frazier, QB, 5-10, 180; Tim Westerfield, RB, 5-7, 165; Nick Brand, OL, 5-9, 165; Derrick Rider, WR, 5-8, 140; Alex Freshour, WR, 6-1, 175; Travis McDannald, RB, 5-10, 190; Payton McVey, RB, 5-8, 165; Alan Hurwitz, OL, 5-8, 185; Cole Matter, RB, 5-10, 175; Brad Behrens, OL, 6-1, 190; Chris Dubree, OL, 5-10, 215; Brent Cross, PK, 6-2, 180; Brian Nafziger, OL, 5-10, 205.

JUNIORS

Jake Rutherford, WR, 5-6, 140; David Baldyga, WR, 5-9, 155; Brady Schroeder, WR, 6-0, 155; Brent Williams, QB, 6-2, 185; Myles Girdler, RB, 5-7, 160; Laken Settles, RB, 5-10, 150; Tom Sandy, RB, 5-10, 160; Ori Gilroy, OL, 5-7, 210; Rob Furman, OL, 5-8, 210; Lonnie Kirby, OL, 6-2, 265; Zach Thomas, OL, 6-2, 225; Daniel Boudeman, OL, 6-4, 175; David Edenfield, OL, 6-3, 250; Dustin Goben, OL, 6-0, 190; Dylan Phelps, WR, 5-8, 150.

SOPHOMORES

Zac Schopp, RB, 5-10, 150; Chase Hainline, RB, 5-9, 170; Cole Lawson, RB, 6-0, 190; Matt Hazzard, RB, 6-2, 190; Bodhi Keller, OL, 6-0, 145; Brian Behrens, RB, 5-10, 175; Mike Hallstein, WR, 6-3, 160.

Schedule

Friday - At Pontiac^

Sept. 5 - Prairie Central^, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 12 - University High^, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 19 - At Eureka^

Sept. 26 - At Central Catholic^, 7 p.m.

Oct. 3 - Watseka, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 10 - At Rantoul^

Oct. 17 - Mahomet-Seymour^

Oct. 24 - Rochester^

^ - conference game

All games start at 7:45 p.m. unless indicated

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