NEW MATAMORAS — There were pros and cons for the Frontier Cougars in 2019.

The pros — they won seven games, their highest win total in 10 years, and claimed the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference 1A championship.

The cons — they lost their final two games of the season to finish 10th in Region 27 and narrowly miss the Division VII playoffs.

There were enough pros to give the Cougars something to build on, and enough cons to leave the team with a chip on its shoulder.

“We come off a very good year last year, going 7-3 and winning the OVAC 1A championship,” said Frontier head coach Russ Morris. “But, we’ve got to build on that. We’ve had some nice senior leadership and good leadership out of our captains. However many games they let us play, we’ve got to play well in those.”

The team’s success perhaps generated some interest around the school, as Frontier has higher numbers out than usual.

“We’re excited,” Morris said. “We have 29 kids on the team this year. That’s the most we’ve had in quite some time. We can get a lot more done in practice and it’s been enjoyable so far.”

J.D. Schmidt established himself as the starting quarterback last season, passing for 1,602 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was a first team all-district honoree.

“He’s put on a little bit of weight, muscle,” Morris said. “He’s improved his quickness so that helps us be able to run some things a little quick in our offense. He’s a got a year as a starter under his belt and had a really good year. He’s only a junior but he’s a veteran quarterback. He can help his teammates along with things.”

Schmidt shouldn’t have to worry about protection, either.

“We do have an experienced line in front of him,” Morris said. “I’ve got four seniors on the offensive line.”

First team all-district pick Gaige Bowersock returns at guard, along with fellow senior Braden McLeish. Two seniors, Andrew Shapley and Tanner Smith, will play tackle while sophomore Josiah Jones will start at center. Gaven Allen, a junior, will be the top backup on the line.

“I’m real pleased with the guys we’ve got up front,” Morris said. “Any football coach tells you you’ve got to have good guys up front and I think we have that.

“I think we have some good skill guys to go along with them.”

In the backfield will be fullback Noah Barnhart and halfback Slade Amos.

Barnhart, a senior, carried 118 times for 740 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2019. He also caught 14 balls for 186 yards and score. He was a first team all-district selection.

Amos wasn’t with the team last year but played in junior high and is very familiar with Frontier football.

“I coached his dad and his uncle,” Morris said. “He’s a Frontier boy. He’d been moved away. He was back last year but didn’t get to play. We’re glad to have him back with us.”

Expect both Barnhart and Amos to get a steady diet of carries.

Senior Breckin Hoff and junior Tanner Bills both started at receiver last year, giving Schmidt a pair of experienced options in the passing game. Both were special mention all-district last fall.

“They both played a lot for us last year and did a nice job at receiver,” Morris praised.

Sophomore Lucas Cox and senior Owen Panozzo likely will get reps out wide as well. Junior Caleb Reynolds will start at tight end.

On the other side of the ball, Shapley and Smith will start at defensive tackle with Jones rotating in and out, while Bowersock and McLeish will start at the ends with Reynolds in the rotation. Bowersock registered 67 tackles and three sacks last season.

Barnhart and Amos will play inside linebacker while Schmidt and Allen will be on the outside. Barnhart tallied 73 tackles, two sacks and an interception on defense last year. This will be Schmidt’s first time playing D regularly at the varsity level.

“J.D.’s excited,” Morris said. “Last year I wouldn’t let him play any defense. He’s a very nice defensive player, and now he’s older, bigger. Small school, you’ve got have your guys on the field.”

Bills and Hoff will play corner back. Hoff makes the move from safety, which is where Cox will start this season.

Schmidt is expected to handle all the kicking and punting duties.

“Even though we only have 12 guys on the team that was on there last year, a lot of those guys played, so we do have a decent amount of experience,” Morris said. “I think that’s key. We’ve got three guys on the offensive line that have been starting since they were sophomores. We’re a lot stronger than we were last year.”

Frontier’s original goal was to make the playoffs for the first time in school history, which they were close to doing last season. However, this season everyone will make the playoffs, so the Cougars are hoping to earn a postseason victory.

“We had two games (last year) that we lost by three points that we could have very well … but that’s what-ifs,” Morris said. “Everybody makes the playoffs, and once you get into the playoffs anything can happen.

“Last year’s over. We need to go out here and work hard and get ourselves where we need to be to win football games again. Our guys understand that.”