Football at Souhegan has always been a barrel of fun, as lineman focus on this positional drill during a preseason practice. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

(Editor’s Note: This is part of The Telegraph’s annual Football Preview Tab Insert Section that will be found in this Sunday’s Telegraph print edition, complete with schedules, last year’s results, team photos, and much more)

AMHERST – They’ve had a nice run at Souhegan High School lately, a championship two years ago and nearly another last year until they had their worst half of the season in a Division II finals loss to Trinity after 11 straight wins.

Whenever you think the run is going to end, the Sabers just keep surprising. Will they do it again?

“We obviously have to replace a lot of touchdowns,” Sabers coach Robin Bowkett said. “And replacing two dynamic guys up front. But for us, though, we still have 60 players in the program, roughly. A lot of guys who are going to step up – that’s what makes it fun.”

The Sabers, with 12 seniors, have six returning starters on either side. John Bausha (6-3, 225) will anchor both the offensive and defensive lines, Pat Casey will return at center; Kobe Morin and Cole Brandt started on both sides and are back, skill position-secondary types.

Both will be keys on offense, and the Sabers will try to find ways to get them the football. Other skill players are Liam Bright, Lucas Steckbeck, out wide, Jacob Bryan as a fullback. His nickname as a senior is “Bubba” so that tells you his size. Junior Cam Foley and sophomore Owen Mobely will also carry the ball.

Michael Fiengo came out of nowhere to produce great numbers at the QB position for two years. Now the Sabers, who have usually had great QB play, are looking for the next surprise.

Step right up, junior Luke Fallon. You played all the JV reps a year ago and in running time. Also there’s sophomore Ben Proulx who grew over the past year, now six feet. Competition.

On the line, beside Bausha and Casey, look for senior Josiah Cudworth, who has played the last couple of years, and junior guard Shawn McCarthy has the most size. Also the Sabers are looking at sophomore Zach Bennett, who wasn’t ready right away at the start of cap as he’s recovering from an injury.

“Our sophomore class has about 24 players in it,” Bowkett said, as everyone looks at numbers.

Defensively, Bausha up front and Mobley at linebacker or defensive end, Brandt second on the team in interceptions last year, senior Steckbeck is all over either at free safety, linebacker,etc. It doesn’t matter where you play in the Souhegan defense; your job is one thing: go to the football.

Bowkett feels good about versatile rising junior Taven Beamer, who can play at at least three different spots.

“We cross train a lot of guys,” Bowkett said. “When guys can play multiple positions, great for them and great for us.”

Bowkett is interested in seeing how the season, with Plymouth, Pelham, etc. the usual fellow contenders and perhaps defending champ Trinity, unfolds.

“This may sound corny but each season is like its own chapter,” Bowkett said. “This is what makes it fun, a lot of unknowns, but again our standard doesn’t change. …”

And the word “rebuild” isn’t in the program’s vocabulary.

“It’s not fair to the seniors who’ve been doing it; we just tell them it’s a rebuilding year so what, we’re not going to work as hard?” Bowkett said. “The standards at our place never change, regardless of whose playing.

“Every year we’ve been here we feel like we’ve had enough players and enough talent and good players that we can win the state title.”