As the 2016 Jefferson City Jays got deep into their schedule, shootouts became the norm.
The scores of their final five games were 65-59, 40-33, 49-6, 46-28 and 56-46, with four of them ending in a loss.
Jefferson City's defense would like to keep the big plays to a minimum.
"The main thing we want to do is tackle better," Jays coach Ted LePage said. "We bought a few more toys to accelerate our tackling issues."
The Jays have a returning linebacker who knows a few things about tackling. Elijah Jackson, a senior, surpassed the century mark last season in tackles and leads a linebacker group that returns seven players who saw game action last season.
"We are really looking strong at the linebacker position," LePage said. "I think that's really been a strong point for us during the camp. Elijah Jackson has just really accelerated his game from last year."
Carson Berendzen, Quinten Strobel, Brett Kolb, Jordan Bruner, Noah Jahr and J.D. Barnes are all expected to be in the mix.
Barnes may spend most of his time at tight end or running back, but he did play linebacker a year ago.
Jahr, a junior, will transition from a running back role to linebacker.
"Incredible ball skills. Just kind of that nasty type of disposition," LePage said. "He kind of reminds you a little bit of a rattlesnake, not really big but his bite is pretty vicious."
Tyler Bise, a senior, is another player making a change in 2017. Bise will get time at running back and also at safety as the Jays try to replace two regulars at the back end of the defense.
During last Friday's scrimmage, Bise returned an interception for a touchdown.
"He's got great range," LePage said. "He can track down a ball. We're really looking forward to him making great open field tackles."
Bise's defensive experience comes from being on kickoff coverage last season.
Ryan Brooks, a 6-foot-4 senior, returns to the other safety spot.
The Jays are also looking for someone to take the spot of Dennis Barnes, who had a school-record nine interceptions last season, at corner.
Khalil Foster, a 5-foot-9 junior, is at one of the corner spots entering the season.
"Very, very good speed," LePage said. "Very coachable young man. He's a guy we're kind of looking to and lean on a little bit to replace Dennis."
Cameron Billings and Connor Hankins are also competing for time in the secondary.
"They are all really smart football players," LePage said. "They are cognitive football players. They are constantly thinking about the game, thinking about situations."
The strength of the defense could be up front with a pair of seniors returning to the line.
Nik Williams will take an edge spot while Erick Schwarz brings size to the middle with a 6-2, 290-pound frame.
"He doesn't look like it, but very athletic," LePage said about Schwarz.
Corey Suttle doesn't bring much experience as a junior, but the 6-4, 225-pound end has shown plenty of potential ahead of the season.
"Has probably as much upside as any defensive lineman we've had in a while," LePage said.
Sophomore Brandon Backues and senior K.D. Rosser will also be part of the rotation on the defensive line.
"All of them play with a nasty disposition," LePage said. "They are all going to play. The competition there has been very good."
Rosser has also found a role on the new-look offense for the Jays.
In need of a big body to play fullback in the wishbone, LePage has turned to Rosser.
Bise and Barnes are slotted at the running back spots in that formation, making all three two-way players.
"They just like playing football. That's the way a lot of the guys are," LePage said. "They are going to play wherever you want them to play."
The addition of the wishbone is only the start of the overhaul the Jays' offense is taking this season.
Maleek Jackson is expected to start at running back in the spread formations with Mitchell Huston also getting some playing time.
"He's been doing real well," quarterback Devin Roberson said of Jackson. "He's hard working, he's a hard runner and he's really fast."
Roberson will start as a junior after backing up Gunnar See.
"We're piecing together a few things," Roberson said. "We're really just trying to work as a team."
Roberson completed both of his passes last season, one for a touchdown to Levi Jobe, who will be one of his targets this season.
"I just want to become a better player and a better man," Roberson said. "Accolades and records and stuff will come, hopefully, but I just want to focus on getting win by win."
Michael Ellinger is the veteran of the receiving group, but battled injury during his junior season.
"Michael Ellinger is so solid. You just know what you're going to get," LePage said. "He's not the biggest, he's not the fastest but he's maybe the smartest."
Christian White, a junior, lined up in the slot during last Friday's scrimmage, catching a 25-yard touchdown and scoring from 25 yards out on a jet sweep. He caught another deep pass down the middle of the field.
"In the scrimmage he really showed what he can do," LePage said. "He's got extremely good speed."
Barnes and Ian Cote will split time at tight end.
Starting on the offensive line are Skylar Bohannon, Ryan Denney, Cole Campbell, Mason Green and Harrison Mobley.
"I've been pleased with our offense," LePage said. "It's going to be one where each week I think you're going to see a progression out of them."
The Jays scored nearly 43 points per game last season, but they are replacing the quarterback, running back, two receivers and a tight end that guided the offense to a plethora of points.
"You're going to have to work at it," LePage said is his message to the offense. "You can't just go out and line up and score 43 points, we're going to have to earn every point. We have been reiterating that on the practice field."
Yet another change for the Jays is on special teams. Ben Folz will do the kicking and punting as a sophomore.
LePage said Folz has made a 37-yard field goal in practice and has consistently punted 30-35 yards.
"He's really progressed well," LePage said. "He's consistently kicking the ball inside the 10 on kickoffs."
Folz will have his first game kickoff today when the Jays face McCluer North in Florissant. Kickoff is set for 4:15 p.m.
Jefferson City is looking to defeat the Stars for the 10th straight year.
LePage said the Stars want to use their speedy running backs in the triple option.
"That's one of our concerns going into the game, just be very discipline on your job," LePage said.
The defense for McCluer North is a similar story. The Stars will hope to use speed to their advantage, especially in the front seven.
"They try to beat you with speed. They really reek havoc," LePage said. "They try to get after you, try to create problems with speed matchups."
Today is the first of three straight road trips for the Jays to start the season. Kirkwood, the defending Class 6 state champion is slated for Week 2 with Hickman to follow in Week 3.
Roberson said there shouldn't be a problem with this team staying focused.
"I feel like there's really no drama," he said. "Just a bunch of guys out here willing to work. I think that's a good recipe for a good game."