The 2005 season was a disappointing one for anyone associated with the Oneida program. The Indians suffered through a year of near-misses and offensive miscues that resulted in Oneida’s first losing season in several years and the first time that the school did not make the playoffs as a Class A team since 1984.

But something happened in the season finale on October 28: Quarterback Zac Lambert moved to wide receiver. Coty Younce, who had waited in the wings as a backup QB for nearly three full seasons, stepped under center and passed for more than 300 yards as the Indians concluded the season in the best way possible: Knocking arch-rival Greenback out of playoff contention.

As Oneida enters the 2006 campaign, it will look to build on the success of last season’s finale. Graduation took a huge toll on the Indians, but while the current OHS squad lacks experience in many areas, it features a boatload of talent, particularly in the sophomore class, and second-year Coach Jim Burchfield is pleased with the attitude he sees from this year’s team.

“The attittude is completely different this year,” Burchfield said. “They’re young, but they’ve been fun to go to practice with every day. I don’t care what we have them do, they’re doing it with enthusiasm and leadership from the ones who should be showing leadership.

“As a unit,” Burchfield added, “we’re hitting better than we ever hit a year ago. Nobody is going to shy away from anybody.”

Oneida will feature nine seniors in 2006, most of whom will see substantial playing time. Burchfield said team leadership is in good hands.

“This is their (the seniors’) team more than it is mine,” he said. “Normally, how you go, winning or losing, is a reflection on how your seniors play.”

Defense was the strong point for the Indians in 2005, and little will change, scheme-wise, on the defensive side of the ball as Oneida heads into 2006.

“Last year, we gave up only 11 or 12 points a game, which is one of the best we’ve ever had around here,” Burchfield said. “But we just couldn’t score.”

Finding a way to score will determine whether Oneida returns to the playoffs in 2006. Following the resignation of Offensive Coordinator David Wampler, Burchfield will handle playcalling responsibilities for the offense, and said that the Indians’ offensive style will be traditional Oneida football in 2006 — “we’re going to try to run the ball pretty much straight at people.” But he says that the offense is more talented at skill positions in 2006, which should benefit the passing game.

OFFENSE

Younce will share playing time, at least early on, with sophomore Torrey Slaven at the quarterback position. Both had starting experience in 2005 and Burchfield said that “neither has very obviously separated himself from the other” so far in spring and fall drills.

At the tailback position, Adam Jeffers (senior) will carry the load, while sophomore Jonathan Lewallen will see playing time.

Fullback responsibilities will be shared by senior Tivous Deweese and junior Stephen Boles, with Deweese likely to be the starter. Deweese was a sometimes-starter at the position a year ago.

The key in the offensive backfield, Burchfield said, is avoiding injuries.

“We’re real young (at runningback),” he said. “The key is going to be staying healthy.”

The offensive line, meanwhile, is inexperienced after losing all starters to graduation. But Burchfield says the newcomers to the front line are working hard.

“I could not be more happy with them at this point,” he said. “They work hard and then they want to know what to do next.”

Among the starters on the front line when the Indians open the season tomorrow (Friday) night against Wartburg are likely to be sophomores Cody Duncan and Justin Terry at the tackle slots, and Zach Brummett (junior) and Daniel Kennedy (senior) at the guard positions. Junior Jamie Harris will start at center.

Sophomores Sam Hughett (center and guard) and Cole Lowe (guard and tackle), as well as senior Travis Owens (center, guard, tackle) are likely to play a major role in the rotation at offensive line as well, while as many as four additional sophomores could see playing time, Burchfield said.

The wide receiving corps “has the potential to be good, if we can get them the ball,” Burchfield said, and includes Lambert (senior), as well as senior Brad Christiansen and juniors Aaron Buttram and Alan Hughett.

DEFENSE

The defensive front seven will feature many new faces in 2006, while the Indians’ secondary features plenty of experience and “has a chance to be pretty good,” according to Burchfield.

The secondary will feature Lambert, Buttram, Hughett and Christiansen, all of whom saw substantial playing time defensively a year ago, while sophomores Josh Slaven and Tyrell Jeffers will also see a good deal of playing time.

Travis Morgan (senior) will start at linebacker for the Indians, but will miss the opening game. Others figuring into the linebacker rotation will be Deweese, Lewallen, Lose and Hughett.

The defensive ends will be Jeffers and sophomore Clint Keeton, while Duncan, Terry and Brummett will share playing time at the tackle positions. Owens and Jake Nelson (senior) will share time at the noseguard position.

Burchfield stressed that there are “many sophomores and freshmen that have great habits and will see playing time” in relief of the starting units.

On special teams, Younce will handle punting duties while Josh Slaven will serve as placekicker.

Burchfield said that Coalfield and Harriman, with many of their 2005 starters returning, should be at the top of Region 2-A in 2006, but that the rest of the field is wide open.

“I think it’s kinda how teams show up on Friday night, and who shows up wanting it more,” he said. “I just think if we remain healthy and the young guys learn week to week how important it is to play every down, we’ll be okay.”

So far, so good, according to Burchfield.

“Everybody out there so far is just doing whatever you want them to do,” he said. “You want to win, but their attitude right now is what sports are supposed to be about: Play well, and you can’t control what kind of talent someone else has. The only thing you can control is attitude, and right now everybody’s is great.”