Nashua North football coach Chad Zibolis has some words of wisdom for his players during preseason camp. (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 weekend’s Telegraph print edition, complete with schedules, last year’s results, team photos, and much more)

NASHUA – The Nashua High School North football team, in the eyes of head coach Chad Zibolis, has discovered the Fountain of Youth.

A portion of the Titan roster this season will be made up of freshmen and sophomores and as many as 12 could see the field on a regular or semi-regular basis.

“We’ve got probably four groups of offensive football players that know what they’re doing – including the freshmen football players,” Zibolis said. “That Cougar youth program they came from has been running our system the last three years, and we’re really starting to see that affect us now. … These freshmen now who come in, they can compete for starting varsity positions.”

And that’s created intense competition at North, as the freshmen are pushing the upper classmen, and the upper classmen, Zibolis said, “are pushing back.”

“We have a group of kids competing at the highest level,” he said. “They know if they mess up, the next person’s going in.”

Zibolis said he was going to see how scrimmages would go leading up to this current Opening Weekend in terms of what young players can handle the physical part of the game. “I wouldn’t play a kid if I don’t think they’re physically ready yet,” he said. “They’re is going be a learning curve with the speed of the game. … I think by the time we get to Weeks four, five and six, those kids will be flying and ready to go.”

And that means possibly a better second half of the season. Key returnees on offense are senior QB Brady O’Connor, plus senior linemen David Theriault-Lago (5-9, 240) and Sebastian Simoneau. Another senior, Josh Sullivan, is a receiving threat as a top athlete, and there’s your experience on offense.

On defense, it’s the two above linemen, Sullivan at the corner, and junior Yandel Velazquez at safety and also wideout on offense. Velazquez is going to be very valuable on defense.

J.J. Velazquez, a sophomore, will also get two-way time and will be valuable at defensive end. There is also some size said to be coming in among the freshmen class. Sophomore Colin Smith (6-0, 240) has some size up front as well, and saw time as a freshman a year ago.

Zibolis can’t wait to see O’Connor in action at QB as he’s poised to take the next step.

“Now he knows our system, but what he did in the off-season to his body, he completely changed his body,” Zibolis said. “He’s running faster than he ever has. He’s not just going to be a pocket passer, he’s going to be a run guy. And he’s just an unbelievable leader for everybody on this team.”

Freshmen Josh Enok on the inside, and Xavier Maldonado on the outside will see time on offense as well. Maldonado may start at safety.

Senior Marco Raposo returns as a the Titans placekicker, while Sullivan, an all-around athlete, may punt.

Wins and losses? While important, so is laying a foundation.

“We’re just excited about starting with these young guys,” Zibolis said, “and getting rolling. Hopefully we just keep improving each week we go.”