With an inexperienced lineup, the Jefferson City Jays could take their lumps early in the wrestling season.
But when the Jays gain the experience of going through the regular season, the postseason could be a different story.
"When we set our practice schedule, we began with February and worked backward," Jays coach Phil Cagle said as Jefferson City prepares to open the season tonight in a tri-dual at Camdenton. "We want to be ready for then, we're not worried about what happens in late November or early December."
The Jays, who finished second at the Class 4 state tournament last year, have to replace eight seniors in their starting lineup.
"It's going to be a lot different," Cagle said. "Practice is going well, the kids are working hard. But it's going to be a year where we're learning as we go."
The Jays return three wrestlers - seniors Dennis Barnes and Christian Mayberry, along with junior Peter Kuster - with state tournament experience. Barnes and Mayberry are three-time qualifiers, while Kuster has qualified twice.
"They know what they have to do, they've been through it before," Cagle said. "We have to come in and work every day."
Kuster will open the season at 138 pounds, while Mayberry will start at 145 and Barnes at 160.
"We know they all want to place at state," Cagle said.
But after that, it is a lot of unknowns right now as the Jays will start the season open at at least one weight.
"We're thin on experience, but we have quality kids," Cagle said.
Tyler Bise, who saw varsity time last season, will start the season at 170.
"I think he's going to surprise some people," Cagle said.
Two wrestlers with extensive JV experience - Charlie Kusick and Reece Neighbors - will get their opportunities on the varsity this season. Kusick will begin at 132 and Neighbors will start at 152.
"I think both of those guys will do a great job, they've waited for their chances," Cagle said.
Garrett Butel returns at 106 for the Jays, while Ian Cote will get the start at 182. Thomas McCarthy will go at 220, with Devontae Finney starting at 285.
Practices have changed a little bit. With last year's veteran team, it was a matter of tweaking a few things and making sure nobody got hurt.
Now there's more teaching involved.
"We have to correct things more," Cagle said. "It's a matter of criticizing, trying to get better every day by explaining things that we didn't necessarily have to explain the past few years.
"It's kind of fun, it does get the juices flowing as a coach."
The Jays have close to 50 wrestlers out this season, including 18 freshman.
"That's going to be a good class for our future," Cagle said.
Jefferson City, which has won 42 consecutive duals in the regular season, knows it is entering the campaign with a target on its back.
"People are going to be licking their chops when they face us this year, we've had a lot of success against the teams in our schedule the past few years," Cagle said. "I don't blame them, it's going to be our job to make it as difficult on them as we can."
The Jays will wrestle Branson and perhaps Camdenton tonight before heading to Lebanon for a dual Thursday. The Yellowjackets return 10 starters in their lineup.
The Jays will open their home schedule Dec. 13 with a dual against Fox.