The Milford Spartans are excited about the progress they've made in the last year. (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)

MILFORD – They’ve been fighting an uphill battle the last few years, but in the third year of the Max Morelli coaching era, there could be even more football progress the Milford High School Spartans.

“There were a lot of pups out there last year,” Morelli said. “Probably were playing before they would have and probably before they were fully ready. Just the way the roster was constructed, our senior and junior classes were really small last year.

“They’re maturing now … By the end of last year (a 2-7 season) they had their feet under them, the last two or three games the freshmen and sophomores that were playing a lot of snaps were fitting in. … We’re looking forward to seeing what they can do this year. The roster this year (from juniors on down) is a little more balanced.”

Yes, only three seniors, but still an experienced group thanks to last year. In a good return rate, there’s likely seven starters returning on both sides of the ball. And likely another four or five who “played a good amount of snaps throughout the year. … We’ve got a lot of kids who have played a season or two or three of varsity football.”

Keys on offense are junior Jayce Wilhelmi and senior Gavin Tessier in the backfield, and throw in junior Jacob Hill and Lucas Neubeck, a sophomore.

There’s a battle at quarterback between sophomores Wes Martin, who was the early leader in the clubhouse, and Don Mann. “Both of them are really, really good with the intangible stuff, really good with footwork, understanding the concepts of the offense and taking command,” Morelli said. “Both really good at executing the offense.”

Both played a lot of JV ball. They’ll be protected up front by sophomore Xavier Torres (6-2, 195), senior Ryan Lewis (5-11, 230), and sophomore Parker Eaton (5-10, 175). The trio has played a good amount of snaps. Senior tight end Marcus Kearn (5-10, 180) has a lot of experience and should be someone the Spartans rely on.

Defensive keys include sophomore Max Cote at safety, Mason Wheeler in the linebacker mix, and the linemen mentioned above will all be on defense as well. Junior Jack McAllister, plus sophomore Charlie Vitali, either up front or at linebacker, will be important. “Both are tough kids and they’ve played a lot,” Morelli said.

Hill, Neubeck, Tessier, and others will fill out the secondary. Cote and Hill both punted, kickoffs are still up for grabs. Neubeck kicked last year, but there could be another big leg out there.

What’s the strengh of this team?

“I think we’ll be pretty good at the linebacker spot and in the secondary, those kids will be pretty polished,” Morelli said. “And offensively I think the skill’s pretty good.

“And more than anything, they’re a ‘committed-to-each other’ kind of group.”

And that’s what Morelli loves.

“Last year we were much more competitive than the year before,” he said, “and we hope to take another step forward in that regard.”