The Versailles Tigers met a big team goal last season by upgrading their offensive output.
This year, the squad hopes a similar improvement on the defensive end will up the victory total.
Versailles is coming off a 3-8 campaign, including a 1-6 Tri-County Conference mark. After fighting through its difficult conference schedule Versailles got to the Class 2 District 4 semifinals before falling to another heavyweight in Fair Grove.
And after playing a slew of youngsters last year, the squad now returns eight starters on both sides of the ball.
The Tigers open tonight with a non-conference game at Knob Noster. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
"We had a solid 7-on-7 session this summer, and our quarterbacks and receivers did well," Versailles head coach Broc Silvers said. "And we went to the West Platte Camp and did pretty well there. Of course that's just camp; there are a lot of unknowns going into Week 1."
After struggling mightily for points two years ago, things improved last fall as the Tigers averaged 19.8 points per game.
The catalyst of that improved offensive production was the insertion of then-sophomore Coby Williams at quarterback.
Williams passed for more than 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns while rushing for 400 yards and seven TDs in 2017. Also, rugged senior Michael Trotter was forced into the primary rushing role at times a year ago and finished with around 400 yards.
Trotter was also one of the area's leading tacklers from his linebacker position, finishing with more than 130 stops.
"Williams has done really well," Silvers said. "We've made the offense more simple and are allowing him to make more checks and more audibles; putting the game more in his hands. And this year we have some depth at receiver."
Williams is back at QB while Trotter returns at running back and junior Brycen Reynolds will be busy, serving as slotback as well as a running back and wideout.
Senior Wyatt Espinosa is the leading receiver back and will be joined by junior Brayden Morrison, who played just four games a year ago before dislocating a knee. The tight end is junior Kaden McGinnis.
The offensive line includes junior Riley Rademann at left tackle, junior Gage Tessier at left guard, junior Quinn Randall at center, junior Ryan Chamberlain at right guard and senior Trenton Owsley at right tackle.
On the defensive front Rademann and junior Dallas Waller are at end and Randall and junior Kyjuan Buckingham at tackle.
Reynolds is at outside linebacker while Trotter and Tessier are at inside linebacker.
The cornerbacks are Morrison and Espinosa while sophomore Michael Bell is at strong safety and Williams at free safety.
Williams is the punter while junior Matthew Lor and Waller have battled for the placekicker role.
Silvers said he is letting go of some of his play-calling duties. The team's new defensive coordinator is Aaron Allen, who comes from Butler High School.
"I tried to run the offense and defense last year and think I did a terrible job on defense," Silvers said. "On defense we've changed personnel and staff. And we're older now, bigger, faster and stronger.
"Now, it all depends on your play. In Class 2, I feel we can compete against a lot of schools."
Last season Versailles opened with a 51-30 victory against Knob Noster, which went on to post a 5-7 record.
"Knob Noster got a lot better as the season went on last year," Silvers said. "They actually played for their district title last year. I expect them to be playing like they were and the end of last year. Their quarterback should be returning, along with five or so lineman."