MT. ZION, Ill. (WCIA) — Mt Zion football showed they can be a force after a seven-game win streak landed them in the state title game in 2024.

Despite a loss to Depaul College Prep in Normal, the Braves bring back a key receiving duo in tight end JC Anderson and quarterback Keller Stocks as seniors.

With his college commitment out of the way, Anderson looks to fulfill a bigger leadership role as a senior.

“It’s vocal leadership, It’s everything, Anderson said. “Just holding people accountable, because at the end of this year, you’re going to think back on how much better you could have done as a leader and what you could have done and what you wish you would have done, so I’m really just trying to hold people accountable and just play to the best of our abilities.”

Stocks feels added comfort with a season full of starts under his belt, and another year alongside a 6’6″ target like Anderson is a nice perk too.

“We really started working together with each other last year and we’ve slowly progressed and this summer we’ve been getting a lot of work with each other and I feel very confident throwing him the ball,” Stocks said. “When I can’t find anybody else, I see him stand there, I can always hit him.”

Mt Zion opens the season at home against Limestone August 29.