By KIM NORTH

Times Leader Sports Writer

MORRISTOWN — Although Union Local was a senior-ladened team that started 5-0 and fell just shy of a Division V state playoff berth in 2016, Bruce Stiles, entering his fifth season as the Jets pilot, doesn’t see much of a dropoff this season.

Stiles saw 14 seniors graduate from last season’s 7-3 squad, which was 7-1 until season-ending setbacks to Bellaire and Barnesville thwarted a possible playoff berth. Of that group, gone are nearly 3,000 yards of offense and more than two dozen touchdowns.

“That senior class was with me from Day 1. They were a great group of kids and accomplished quite a bit in their careers,” Stiles said. “Union Local hadn’t won many games the previous few seasons before I got here, so that class started to turn the culture of Union Local football around.

“We were in the hunt for a playoff berth for most of the season,” he recalled of 2016, “but things kind of fell apart there at the end.”

However, he said his staff did a very good job of not only keeping the upperclassmen strong last year, but also of preparing for this season, as well.

“You’ve got to get kids ready to play and I thought we did a good job of getting our underclassmen a lot of playing time last year while we were still fighting for a playoff spot,” he continued. “I’d like to think our program is to the point where we can just re-load every year and continue our solid play.”

Union Local will have to overhaul its skilled positions on offense as quarterback Shane Smolenak, tailback Brian McWhorter and wideout Josh Bolyard all received their diplomas last May. Smolenak accounted for more than 1,700 total yards, while McWhorter ran for 1,105 and Bolyard had 546 receiving yards.

“We’ll always be a run-first team,” Stiles said of the Jets offensive lineup. “We want to establish the run. Then, we’ll pass when we need to, but I was pleased with what I saw in our passing scrimmages over the summer. I think we’ll be able to pass the ball fairly well.”

Taking over for Smolenak will be junior Cal Kildow (5-8, 135). He saw limited action last season, playing primarily as the reserve quarterback.

“Cal had a great summer. He’s a real field general,” Stiles noted. “He’s a confident kid and I think he’ll do a nice job for us.”

Sophomore Hunter McCort (5-10, 160) will serve as the backup QB. Freshman Jacob Ice (5-7, 135) and Jonathan Porter (5-7, 155) will see mostly JV action.

“He is a very athletic kid who will see a lot of action as a wide receiver,” Stiles said of McCort.

Senior Ben Howell (5-7, 150) returns as the fullback where he gained 363 yards and seven touchdowns. He ran for 154 yards on half-a-dozen carries and scored four touchdowns in a season-opening win against Monroe Central.

“He is one tough cookie,” Stiles said of Howell, who is also a standout wrestler. “He played both ways for us last year and we’re expecting him to step up this year.”

Junior Nathan Bomboris (5-9, 190) serves as the backup. He saw some playing time in 2016.

The tailback is speedy senior Mike Menges (5-11, 175) who moves from wideout where he caught 22 passes for just over 300 yards and a TD.

“Luke had a great summer and has started to fill out physically,” Stiles said. “I’m looking for him to have a very good year.”

Sophomore Josef Bailey (5-7, 165) and senior Bradan Lucas (5-9, 165) are also expected to see some time in the backfield. Also listed in the backfield is freshman Claude Romshak (5-7, 160).

When the Jets do throw the ball, the likely wideout targets will be senior Ty Kildow (5-10, 135), the aforementioned Lucas and senior tight ends Zach Greene (6-0, 170) and Zane Thompson (5-10, 175).

“Ty just does the intangibles. He’s a smart kid … an intelligent kid,” Stiles added of Kildow. “Bradan was the starting quarterback in the opener as a sophomore, but didn’t play last season. He’s had a great summer catching the ball, so we’re looking forward to big things from him. Zach and Zane played a lot last year, with Zane playing more as a wideout and Zach more on defense.”

Kildow had six catches for 60 yards and a score last season.

Also in the mix at wideout is McCort. Juniors Kane Kildow (5-7, 150) and Hunter Oliver (5-5, 155), along with freshmen Bryan Neidart (5-7, 130), Carter Loase (5-2, 110), Cody McRobie (5-9, 130) and Zach Bateman (5-9, 135), are also listed as possible wideouts. Sophomore Matt Bateman (6-1, 150) is listed as a backup tight end.

Like any team, the offensive line serves as the catalyst. If so, the Jets are in good shape as three of the interior linemen return for another season. They include senior center Cody Ray (6-0, 190) and classmates left guard Lucas Donley (6-3, 250) and left tackle Hank Myers (6-3, 250).

“Those three guys have been mainstays along the line,” Stiles verified. “It’s always nice to have some big guys on the interior line that know the system.”

The right side will consist of senior right tackle Kade Clark (6-3, 260) and sophomore right guard Hayden Hilt (6-0, 260).

“Kade was a starter on defense for us last year and we’ve asked him to go both ways this year. He had stepped up so far,” Stiles admitted. “Hayden is a very strong kid. He spent a ton of time in the weight room following last season.”

Stiles called Ray the leader of the group.

“He makes all the checks, all the calls along the line. He runs the offensive line,” Stiles said of the three-year regular. “He is so valuable to us in the middle. He’s a top-notch kid.”

Senior Braden Robinson (5-11, 165) can play multiple line positions. He is listed as the backup center. Also in the mix are seniors Brandon Taylor (5-6, 190) and Dalton Latham (5-9, 200).

Others listed on the line include senior Nate Kinney (6-6, 350); junior Devin Kalinowski (5-9, 170); and freshmen David Burghy (5-7, 165), Nathan Luyster (6-1, 220) and Devin Watkins (5-6, 165).

“I like the way our line has worked, both in the weight room and on the practice field,” Stiles continued. “I think that could be one of our strong points early on.”

Union Local will remain in its staple 4-3 base defense under Stiles, who is entering his 33rd year of coaching.

“We feel this is the best option for our athletes,” he said. “We want to get our best athletes in the best position to make tackles. That’s our goal.”

One player who excelled on both sides of the ball last season was T.J. Kelley, who was also lost to graduation. Defensively, he charted 74.5 tackles, a pair of quarterback sacks and hurries, along with 12.5 tackles for negative yardage. He also intercepted a pass.

“He’ll be tough to replace, but we feel we’ve got some kids that can step up and do the job we asked of them,” Stiles said.

Manning the terminals will be Green and Clark, who was one of the leaders across the defensive front a year ago.

“Both of those kids are hard working and are hard-nosed,” the head coach allowed.

Robinson is a backup, as are Romshak, Burghy and Kalinowski.

The tackles will be Myers and Donley, both of whom started here a year ago.

“They are experienced and that is always a plus,” Stiles added.

The backups are Hilt and Kinney, who was on the team as a sophomore but didn’t play last fall. Also listed are Latham, Taylor, Luyster and Watkins.

Ray will hold down the middle linebacker slot, moving from the outside where he led the team in tackles a year ago.

“Cody makes all the calls for us. He’s a very smart kid.”

Bomboris will serve as the backup middle linebacker. Kane Kildow and Porter are also listed.

On the outside are Howell and Thompson. Howell is a returning starter. Backups include junior Jordan Dalby (5-7, 135), Bailey and Robinson, whom Stiles referred to as a “hybrid.”

The secondary consists of Ty Kildow and McCort at the corners. Kildow is a returner. Sophomore Jordan Duke (5-9, 140) is also in the hunt for playing time.

“Hunter had a great summer,” Stiles said. “I’m looking forward to see what he can do.”

Menges returns as the strong safety.

“He’s a ballhawk,” Stiles described. “He always seems to be around the ball.”

Freshman Brady Crum (5-5, 130) and Dalby are listed as the backups.

Lucas will man the free safety slot. Cal Kildow is the backup there.

Other defensive backs include Oliver, Matt Bateman, Zach Bateman, McRobie, Loase, Neidart and Ice.

“I like our defense. The kids have been working very hard,” Stiles added. “I think we will be able to hold our own against our schedule, which is always tough.”

As far as special teams go, Stiles said Greene and Ray are in a battle for the punting chores, with Clark and Donley handling the kicking off duties. Lucas is the placement specialist.

Speaking of the schedule, the Jets will play just four home contests while taking to the road six times. That is due to a late switch from Warren Local to Meadowbrook, which resulted in s lost home game as Union Local will trek to Byesville in week 7.

“It’s not that bad of a trip and it’s a turf surface,” Stiles said.

“I think it will be a good opportunity for our kids.”

The Jets will open at Monroe Central Friday night before starting Buckeye 8 action in week 2 on the road at Buckeye Local. Martins Ferry will serve as UL’s home opener before back-to-back journeys to Harrison Central and Edison to conclude the first half of the schedule. A visit from Weir precedes the trip to Meadowbrook, while a short junket to St. Clairsville closes out the road portion of the slate. Home games with Bellaire and Barnesville wrap up the regular season.

“The Buckeye 8 is the same old same old,” Stiles allowed. “Every game is going to a tough, physical contest. There are no easy games.

“Harrison Central has the very good running back returning, while Buckeye Local has a new coach and some new enthusiasm. Bellaire has a lot of skilled players back and St. Clairsville is always formidable.”

Assisting Stiles are veterans Vaughn Butler (linemen), defensive coordinator Mike Menges, former player Bernie Thompson (wide receivers) and Jeff Stewart (linemen). New to the staff are former Buckeye Trail head coach Randy Thompson (offensive coordinator) and former Bellaire standout Anthony Rocchio (quarterbacks/defensive backs).

In addition to those previously mentioned players lost to graduation are Austin Koscoe, Josh Knox, Isaiah Meyer, Isaiah Palko, Jaime Kelich, Nate Stubbs, Cory Jones, Josh Taylor, Max Detamore and Sam Russell.

The equipment manager is Ben Hilt.

(All games begin at 7 p.m.)

Aug. 25 — at Monroe Central

Sept. 1 — at Buckeye Local

Sept. 8 — Martins Ferry

Sept. 15 — at Harrison

Sept. 22 — at Edison

Sept. 29 — Weir

Oct. 6 — at Meadowbrook

Oct. 13 — at St. Clairsville

Oct. 20 — Bellaire

Oct. 27 — Barnesville