PENDLETON — Coming off a strong season led by a deep and talented senior class, the Arabians enter the 2024 season looking to build off of that success.

They’ll have to do so with some new faces leading the way.

Gone from last year’s team that went 7-3 (5-2, Hoosier Heritage Conference), are the quarterback, running back, top three wide receivers, top five tacklers on defense, and the top three defensive backs, on top of others.

With a record 107 kids on the roster and strong numbers throughout the youth programs, for head coach Jed Richman and the Arabians, this season is far from a rebuild.

“We had a good summer and offseason. We graduated a lot of guys that were four-year starters, but this group has done a great job of taking the reins and building on what the others did. We’re looking forward to a good year,” Richman said. “We’re inexperienced, but we have the guys. We’ve just got to get them ready, and they’re committed and have been working hard. It’s always tough to replace guys that have played so much, but we have guys that have stepped up and stepped in.”

At quarterback, they lose Swiss-army-knife Isaac Wilson. Along with throwing for 958 yards and eight touchdowns, Wilson was the team’s leading rusher, accumulating 440 yards and nine scores.

Of the seven players that caught passes from Wilson last season, six of them have also graduated, led by Cooper Sims 405 yards and eight touchdowns.

Two-way player Dresden Roberts who ran for 373 yards and four touchdowns, and added 81 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 4 ½ sacks on defense is gone as well.

On the other side of the ball along with Roberts, the Arabians graduated their top tacklers Nick Trout (128), Eli Libler (71), Eli Arthur (61) and Clint Miller (58).

Miller added four interceptions, along with Nolan Souders who had six and Dontrez Braxton who had a pair of takeaways.

As a group, they allowed just 15.1 points per game.

“It’s hard to see those guys go,” Richman said. “They were a close group, and they were close with the other guys too. We were a close-knit team and went through a lot together.”

To reload at all of those positions, the Arabians return guys with plenty of experience.

In charge of the offense this year will be senior Colton Frank, who threw for 290 yards and five touchdowns on 54 attempts last season. He appeared in nine of the Arabians 10 games alongside Wilson.

“Colton is one of the leaders of our team,” Richman said. “He’s had an exceptional offseason, and I’m excited to see what kind of year he has.”

He’ll be throwing to fellow senior Nate DeRolf, who was second on the team last year in receiving yards (305) and touchdowns (3) and was tied for the team lead in receptions (29).

At running back he’ll be joined by senior Keaton Jones who ran for 315 yards and three touchdowns in seven games.

Seniors Jacob Rowley and Jackson Grile, along with junior Cooper Sims are also expected to be key offensive contributors.

“There’s some continuity there,” Richman said. “These guys have played together for a long time; they’re just now getting an opportunity and they’re making the most of that.”

The defensive group will be anchored by senior Garrett Pederson who led the team last season in sacks (7) and tackles for loss (13) and added 57 tackles.

He did so all from a position he normally doesn’t play.

“He’s an interesting kid. He’s really a fullback and linebacker, but because of the kids we had last year, we put him at nose guard,” Richman said. “You could see him at either of those spots this year, and regardless of where he’s at, he’s a handful. He’s one of our leaders. He’s just a hard-nosed kid and a good football player.”

With him, Rowley has been a vocal leader for the team from the safety position, along with junior linebacker Rylan Keesling and tackle Jacob McKinley.

Keesling had 43 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks and two interceptions last year.

Alongside him, senior Nico White and juniors Ashaan Singh, Ayden Forsha and Preston Wolfe make up a strong linebacker group.

On special teams, senior Wyatt DeBertrand will take over kicking duties.

“We have high expectations. We have some talent, and these guys work really hard year-round. Our strength and speed are not lacking. Our effort is top-notch, and we’ve got some tough kids,” Richman said. “When you put that all together, hopefully we can compete. Our goal is always to be the best come sectional time, and we see a lot of potential with this group of kids.”