The 2018 Emmaus football team ran into only one roadblock last year. Only District 11 champ Freedom was able to knock off Emmaus, beating the Hornets in overtime during the regular season and again in the district title game.

A 9-1 regular season and two District 11 Class 6A playoff triumphs were part of a superlative season, which was marginalized only by those two losses to the Pates.

Emmaus won most games last year primarily because opponents couldn’t keep up with their offensive attack. Their strength was a small but effective offensive line and outstanding skill players, led by the quarterback Ethan Parvel, running backs Lubens Myers and Sone Ntoh and wide outs Izaiah McPherson and Deonte Castro.

The Hornet defense never rested. Tough guy Timmy Higgins popped people with regularity, and Jacob Weider displayed his own bruising brand of violence against the enemy offenses. Defensive linemen Sam Goodge and Owen Minnix treated rivals roughly with superior technique, leverage and muscle.

All this sounds good until you realize all these players have graduated.

“We’re young, but we are improving,” said Hornet head coach Harold Fairclough, entering his fourth season on South Cedar Crest Boulevard. During summer training camp and including a preseason scrimmage against Downingtown, Fairclough has been satisfied with a few major areas.

Offensively, the Hornets know their assignments and “are not making too many mental errors,” the coach said. Fairclough is also impressed with the unit’s physicality, diversity and unity.

“They keep coming together,” he said.

Defensively, the coaching staff is looking to improve on the unit’s concentration on getting into the right formations.

Alex Lanzone, a junior, should replace Parvel at quarterback.

“He’s a little undersized, but he has a high football IQ,” Fairclough said.

Joining him the in backfield is junior running back Brandon Camire, who averaged 8.8 yards last year. Plenty of the rushing duties will fall on his broad shoulders. His blazing speed, ability to quickly hit the hole and good vision as a runner augments his emerging pass-catching prowess.

“I like his ability to take it to the house,” Fairclough said. “He’s a very explosive runner with great speed.”

Fullback Cole Scott, a senior, will lead the way on sweeps and traps for Camire and also get plenty of carries. The backfield is expected to include junior running back Gabe Trexler.

Jameel Sanders, another junior, will start the campaign as the Hornets’ top receiver. John Ferris, Chad Newhard, Tanner Ritter, Bryan Bertsch and Mason Reed are also being counted on to get downfield and get open when Lanzone takes to the air.

The offensive line needs to develop quickly. Fairclough does have some good talent with which to work. Jaden Vazquez, Liam Garrett and captain Dmitri Garcia will anchor the unit to open holes and protect Lanzone.

Defensively the Hornets have a serious stud returning in linebacker Adam Heiserman, who last year had 73 solo or unassisted tackles and made life very unpleasant for opposing offenses. He’ll be joined a few yards off the line of scrimmage by linebacker Reece Wieder. In addition to their blocking assignments, Vazquez, Garrett and Garcia will also anchor the defensive line.

Expect to see junior Connor Carter making tackles and in pass coverage as a linebacker, along with the dependable Scott. The secondary is not without some talent, as Bertsch, Sanders, Reed, Newhard, Ritter and Trexler will take turns patrolling a series of zone packages for Fairclough’s warriors.

Junior Alex Orlando will handle the kicking and punting duties.

Fairclough welcome six new assistants to his staff. They include offensive coordinator Dale Fink, Dave McFadden, Jake Reichard, Brandon Renford, Rob Sawicki and John Scerbo.

“We did a tremendous job getting all these guys on board,” Fairclough said. “They all bring a lot of pride and passion to what they are doing and are all good teachers.”

Fairclough said the talent-laden EPC is no walk in the park.

“There are no easy outs in the EPC,” he said. “Each week presents us a challenge.”

The Hornets regular season opens at 7 p.m. Aug. 23 at William Allen High School.