In fact, the Redskins didn't trail at any point in the season until a season-ending loss to General Brown in a Section Three Class C semifinal game at Rome Free Academy.

With Brad Hill (1,376 yards last season) off to college, and several other pivotal players also graduating, Cooperstown will turn to Hill's younger brother, Brendan, to try and fill his brother's shoes.

Brendan is a 185-pound sophomore who saw limited varsity time as a freshman last year, scoring three touchdowns. He and senior Brian Dibble will get the bulk of the carries at running back, said head coach Steve Pugliese.

"We have some big boys back on the offensive line which will probably be the strength of our team this year," Pugliese said. "Brendan is going to be a good ballplayer, but he's still learning and is a work in progress. We have to be patient with him."

Billy Hribar (6'5" 285); Mike Kiser (6'2, 280) and Jesse Torruella (6'0" 205) will anchor the offensive and defensive lines, and are captains of the team along with fellow seniors Jeremy Holmes and Brian Dibble. The Redskins also have 6'4" 385 pound Sean Fields on the offensive and defensive lines.

Cooperstown opens the season Saturday at 2 p.m. at Sauquoit, a team they defeated 13-6 in overtime in the season-opener last year. Sauquoit and Cooperstown were two of five teams at a scrimmage at Cobleskill last Saturday, and Pugliese said he expects a very tough game on Saturday.

"They are a young team, but they are always tough on their home field," Pugliese said. "Our game plan is going to be ball control and field position. We also need to limit mistakes. If we play our style of football there is no doubt in my mind we can win that game."

As much as the Redskins will miss Brad Hill's running, they will be equally hard-pressed to replace Nate Smith, who did a little bit of everything for Cooperstown last year. Smith played tailback, linebacker, punted and kicked extra points. Pugliese said replacing Hill and Smith at the linebacker position has proven to be his toughest task of the preseason.

"You're not going to replace skill position players like Hill and Smith overnight, they are players who only come around every so often," Pugliese said. "We just have to play to our strengths and play smart football, and we have a chance to be successful."

Junior Ben Ayers returns for his second season at quarterback, and will look to hook up with receivers Holmes and newcomer Tyler Harris.

After playing Sauquoit, Cooperstown travels to Herkimer on Friday, Sept. 13 in what will likely be the toughest game of the season. Pugliese said Herkimer returns eight starters and figure to be the team to beat in the Center State Conference this season. Cooperstown will play at home in weeks 3 through 5, capped by a Friday, Oct. 4 Homecoming Game with Sherburne-Earlville.

"We've gone to sectionals two of the past three years, and I wouldn't be satisfied unless we were at least 5-3 and go back to sectionals," Pugliese said. "I'm not sure how good this team can be, but I'd like to see us improve every week."

Cooperstown football schedule: Sept. 7: at Sauquoit; Sept. 13: at Herkimer; Sept. 21: UTICA-NOTRE DAME; Sept. 28: Little Falls; Oct. 4; SHERBURNE-EARLVILLE (Homecoming); Oct. 11: at Waterville; Oct. 19: MT. MARKHAM.