Coming off a winless season, the Salisbury football team is planning to take a step forward this year.

While the team must replace seven key players lost to graduation, there is optimism around the program after a good offseason and a preseason scrimmage against Kutztown.

“I’m very excited,” said senior running back/linebacker George Spann. “We have made a big turnaround from last season. A lot of guys have a much better mindset than last season and we’re ready to come out and surprise a lot of people.”

Head coach Andy Cerco agrees that his team could be much-improved since last season, but he also knows that it needs to keep getting better every day.

“We’ve made progress in every phase of the game in terms of football IQ, their understanding of our schemes and their execution of techniques we’re teaching them in all three phases of the game,” said Cerco. “With that said, in order to compete in our league we need to continue to make improvements. If we don’t we’ll experience some struggles, but I don’t see that.

“Knowing their mentality and the coaches’ mentality I just see us continuing to build together as a team. That’s been our big theme throughout camp, being together and forming a positive culture to execute at an elite standard. Our kids have stepped up to that challenge every day. That’s been really, really positive.”

The Falcons return senior quarterback Jacob Bucchin, who began last season as a wide receiver then moved to quarterback about halfway through the year.

“It was definitely an adjustment,” he said. “I wasn’t used to being live in a game situation at quarterback. As I did it more it became more comfortable. That gave me an idea of what it’s like. This year I can come out and do better because I have a better understanding of my job and my responsibilities.”

Spann, Bucchin and Gavin Cerco have been leading the offseason workouts.

“We had a lot more guys showing up this year and a lot more guys that were committed,” said Gavin Cerco, a senior wide receiver, quarterback and defensive back. “We have the right mindset going into the games.”

Other seniors on this year’s roster include Jaydien Kennedy (TE/LB), Dominic Popovich (WR/DB) and Zack Baab (RB/OLB). Juniors include Jason St. Leger (RB/LB), Derek Trinidad (RB/LB), Andrew Lucas (WR/QB/LB), Ty Claudio (OL/LB), Andrew Nemeh (OL/DL) and Andrew Wright (WR/LB). Sophomores Sam Krauss (OL/DL) and Griffin Lakics (OL/DL) will be part of a young but experienced Falcon offensive line led by Nemeh and Krauss.

“I think definitely the offensive and defensive line have grown a lot because last year we had a really young line,” said Spann. “As they’re maturing and getting more reps they’re learning how to play the position better.”

Salisbury opened the season on Aug. 25 at Panther Valley. The Falcons return home to host Saucon Valley on Sept. 1, which is also Community Night.

Each home game will have a theme. The Sept. 8 game against Jim Thorpe will be Military Appreciation Night.

After two weeks on the road, the Falcons’ return home for a Sept. 22 game against Tamaqua, which is Shirt of My Back Night.

The Sept. 29 game against Northern Lehigh is Homecoming, while senior night will be Oct. 6 against Palmerton.