MAROA, Ill. (WCIA) — Every team in the state kicked off fall football practice with the same goal. For the Maroa-Forsyth Trojans, that goal was just out of reach last season.

Led by Josh Jostes in his 25th year as head coach, the Trojans fell to Chicago Christian in the Class 2A state championship game. The bulk of that team returns for Jostes’ 26th season, shifting into practice mode after a summer that saw near-perfect attendance from the entire roster.

“We’re very fortunate that up front we return a lot of kids,” said Jostes. “Last year we had zero returning linemen coming in and obviously it worked out. But I do really like where our group is right now up front. Excited about where this group is, they’ve been a lot of fun so far and we’re just getting rolling.”

Even with a strong veteran group, the Trojans still have new blood at nearly every position. Seniors like quarterback Ryne Shepard embrace the task of getting young players acclimated and passing down the culture.

“It starts in the weight room, obviously just working harder and have a bigger role,” said Shepard. But just the, just the little things. Honestly, finding an open space, just being able to see what you’re looking at there, at the defense or at the offense. So just helping them along the way. Anything they need, they can come to me.”

Maroa-Forsyth opens up the season on the road against Athens on August 29.