Coach Harold Fairclough’s Emmaus football team enters the 2021 season optimistic and with something to prove.

The Hornets are coming off a solid, 5-1 abbreviated regular season last year. The regular season finale - a battle with rival Parkland - could make for classic football viewing any day of the week.

But the playoffs were a letdown. The Hornets were gone before they knew what hit them - courtesy of a 28-23 upset loss to Easton in the District 11 Class 6A quarterfinals.

That’s why the entire Emmaus football program is determined to make this year’s script end a little differently.

“We want to win our regular season games to get a playoff berth in the EPC and then our goal is to make some history,” said Fairclough when asked about his team’s 2021 prospects. The “make history” part is to win the school’s first District 11 title.

The Hornets are going to have to make history without junior quarterback Jake Fotta, who is out for the season with a leg injury. Going back to his freshman season, Fairclough liked Fotta’s football IQ, and last season he continued to mature, passing for nearly 1,100 yards and nine touchdowns as the starter.

“It’s disappointing news,” the coach said.

Emmaus is also inexperienced at the wide receiver, running back and defensive back positions. The good news is they have the physical tools to play the game, and are responding well to instruction. As the season progresses, so should the team.

“They just lack the experience,” Fairclough said.

Two exceptions will be seniors Jaden Robinson and Matt Baraket, who will each play wide receiver and defensive back.

There’s no lack of experience in the linebacker position, which will be led by senior inside linebacker Jared Groller.

Fierce and fast, Groller is expert at reading plays, shedding blocks and popping ball carriers. He’ll be joined in terrorizing opposing offenses by inside linebacker Dave Iobst and outside linebacker Jaden Delgado.

The defensive line will be anchored by senior Dylan McHugh, who at 6-feet, 2-inches and 285 pounds is a difficult assignment for any offensive lineman.

The Emmaus offensive line, typically a work-in-progress during August, features some experience with seniors Nick Davidson, Cooper Schoenly and McHugh ready to protect their signal caller and open rushing holes. Fairclough also likes two sophomore offensive linemen - Ben Mercado and Mario Landino - to contribute all season.

Emmaus opens the 2021 season Aug. 27 at Stroudsburg. The Hornets then host Freedom on Sept. 3 for their home opener.