GIBSON CITY, Ill. (WCIA) — Coming off a 10-3 season that came to a close in the third round of the playoffs after a loss to Lena-Winslow, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley brings back a fair share of experience, particularly in the run game.

“We have four offensive lineman returning from last year’s team who played in some capacity last year… we’ve got our entire backfield back.” head coach Chad Augspurger said.”

Seniors Jacob Chase and Trent Wetherell expect the run game to help integrate the new pieces to the offense, like a new starting quarterback. Chase ran for 1,500 yards last season as a junior.

“We if we can settle in on the run, especially having all that experience, we got a pretty fast running back and an experienced line too, getting like heavy sets, tight end has got weight, everything,” Wetherell said. “I think that it’s definitely a big part of our game.”

“All of our guys have been playing since youth football. Just our experience and our work ethic in the pre-season, hitting the weights, conditioning,” Chase said. “All that stuff comes together in season, and it shows.”

Another new element to this Falcons squad will be new offensive and defensive coordinators, with Augspurger taking over the defense in addition to his duties as head coach.

GCMS opens the season at home against Tremont August 29 at 7:00 p.m.