Mapletown coach George Messich has a straightforward solution for bouncing back from last season's 1-9 record.
"The big thing for us will be eliminating the mistakes," said Messich, who's been leading the Mapletown program for more than four decades. "We can't give up a long TD pass because we missed a coverage and a guy is wide open. We can't miss tackles. We have to play a good fundamental game."
Injuries also played a major role in Mapletown's disappointing 2024 record, which included an 0-7 mark in the Class A Tri-County South Conference.
"One game, we had seven kids out, and that's tough for a Class A school," Messich said. "The way we're looking at it is that, with the injuries, our young kids got playing experience and that should help this year."
The Maples have 16 starters, eight on each side of the ball, returning to the lineup.
Messich is banking on the returning starters to help with the transition to a new offense. Last season, the Maples scored only about 8 points per game, while allowing nearly 45.
"We'll use the Wing-T (formation) for the first time," he said. "We'll run it with the quarterback either under center or in the shotgun. We have a little more speed than usual, including the wingbacks, so we're going to give it a shot."
Juniors Carson Vanata (6-1, 190) and Ashton Walker (6-2, 190) will spearhead the attack. Vanata led the team in passing and rushing as a sophomore.
"Carson and Ashton can play quarterback or running back," Messich said. "They're tall and have some speed. They're more cutback runners than straight ahead. They also can throw the ball."
Sophomore Matthew Howard (5-8, 130) and freshman Landon Johnson (5-6, 140) are slated to play wingback, with seniors Wyatt Downs (5-10, 170) and Colton McKnight (5-8, 155) running at wide receiver.
"We have two receivers, two wings, a quarterback and running back who are quick and can run," Messich said.
On the offensive line, Mapletown returns four of five starters: seniors Chase Taylor (6-3, 285), Coltin Halbert (5-10, 225) and Cam Shaffer (6-3, 235) and junior Kaeden Lotspeich (5-9, 235).
"We think they'll give us a solid line," Messich said. "All of them have decent size. They're pretty smart and play with good technique."
The majority of Mapletown's offensive starters will double up on defense.
"Most of our guys won't come off the field," Messich said.
Taylor, Shaffer and Lotspeich will man the defensive front, with Halbert playing inside linebacker.
"Taylor was all-conference at defensive tackle last season," Messich said.
Downs and McKnight will anchor the secondary.
"McKnight led the team in tackles, and Downs also is a good tackler," Messich said.
The Maples will vary their defensive alignment to match up against opponents.
"We'll change from week to week," Messich said. "We'll go with a five-man front if we're playing a running team and a four-man if they're a throwing team."
Mapletown is back in the Tri-County South with Avella, Bentworth, Beth-Center, California, Carmichaels, Jefferson-Morgan and West Greene. Jefferson-Morgan, Cal and Bentworth represented the conference in last season's WPIAL playoffs.
"Cal and Jefferson-Morgan will be really good again. Bentworth has a really good back (Ben Hays)," Messich said. "With the rest of the conference, I think you'll see some good games on Friday nights."
* Besides vying for playing time at quarterback/running back, Carson Vanata and Ashton Walker are stepbrothers. "They're close," Maples coach George Messich said.
* According to the PIAA, Mapletown has the third-smallest enrollment among public schools playing football in the WPIAL. The Maples draw from 78 male students in grades 10-12. Only Monessen (69) and Avella (73) are smaller.
* The Maples will travel to Avella twice, playing a Week Zero game against the Eagles on Aug. 22 and a conference matchup on Oct. 3.
* Mapletown athletic director Linda Messich recently was inducted into the Washington-Greene County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. George and Linda Messich are husband and wife.