Wyalusing football's new era starts on Friday as they host an Athens team on the upswing.

The Rams are coming off a home scrimmage with always tough Lackawanna Trail.

"The biggest thing we learned was the commitment of our players," said Wyalusing coach Jeffrey Hindman. "Trail was always going to be a tough scrimmage but we wanted to see how we matched up against a good team. While we didn't have the success that everyone hopes for coming out of summer practices, the team never got discouraged. They kept fighting and we saw definite improvement from one series to the next. With a young team, you want to see the veterans showing them the way and we saw that on Saturday."

The Wildcats are coming off a season that saw them go 9-1 and making the District IV, Class AAAA playoffs.

"Athens is a strong team with a bunch of talent at different positions and they've been a successful team," Hindman said. "It's a tough Week 1 matchup. Athens is a team that can attack you through the air and on the ground, so we are going to have to play disciplined defense and work to limit the big play capabilities of their skill guys. We need to work to control the ball on offense as much as possible, keep their offense off the field. It's a big test for our young team but I'm excited with how we've been practicing this week. I know the team is ready to get the season started after all the work they have put in."

Wyalusing has been working to integrate the younger skill players with the holdovers from last year's offensive line.

"Offensive and defensive line play is always one of the most important areas on any team," Hindman said. "Without a good offensive line, the backs have no holes to run through and the QB doesn't have time to make the reads and get off a throw. Defensively, the line needs to be a force up front and give the second level guys time to work to the ball. So while we are short on veteran presence this year, I love the fact that we have experience on the line. It gives the skill guys confidence in the big boys, knowing that they will find room to run. We have lots of young skill players that I'm hoping to mix in and they all believe in the linemen that will be leading the way each play. I think everyone has been working well together and I've seen growth every practice, not just on the field but in attitude and work ethic. I told them from the start that anything they want on the football field they are going to have to take, no one is giving you anything. They have taken that to heart and are ready for the season."

KEYS TO THE GAME

Athens - Be tough upfront. The strength of Wyalusing's team is in the trenches, Athens will need to be tough on the line to take that away.

Wyalusing - Don't give up the big play. The Wildcats have athletes all over the floor, especially at quarterback. Wyalusing will need to focus on containment and force the Wildcats to drive the ball.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Connor Davidson, Athens, QB - Davidson comes in as the most explosive athlete in the league, and he's done a good job showing that off the past two years.

Jesse Lamb, Wyalusing, OL/DE - Lamb has been one of the best linemen for the Rams the past couple years, and will need to have a big night to keep Wyalusing in the game.