BAINBRIDGE – For the first time in eight years, B-G head coach Tim Mattingly is not building off a winning season. Typically in the playoff hunt from his first season on the job, the Bobcats lost their first four games last season, but did come on strong late in the year to win three of the last five.

"We talked more about the end of last year and winning those last two games," Mattingly said. "And the Walton and Delhi games – the two weeks before – were pretty competitive, too. We were awful young last year, we started a number of sophomores, and we did go through some growing pains. But we saw steady improvement week to week, the kids bought into what we were doing, and we were playing some pretty good football at the end of the season."

It didn't help that two-way starter Cole Webb, tabbed as the quarterback, injured his hand early in the first game, and didn't resume his starting quarterback duties until half of the season was lost.

"Without Cole, we became too one-dimensional," Mattingly said. "Defenses loaded up on us to stop the run. When we got Cole back, we were able to throw it a bit, and that opened things up in the running game."

Over the last four weeks, Webb was perhaps the most efficient quarterback in Chenango County completing nearly 50 percent of his passes and throwing eight touchdowns. Also, a substantive running game was established behind an offensive line that figures to be a strength of this year's team.

Below, we break down the 2014 Bobcats by position:

BACKFIELD

B-G will turn to a sophomore, Austin Carr, to run the B-G offense. The last time Mattingly had a sophomore starting under center – Corbin Palmer – it worked out pretty well. "He's a pretty athletic kid; strong, fast, and he can throw the ball," Mattingly said of Carr. "And he can run some."

Carr may be a new face in the backfield, but he'll we ably assisted by last year's top rusher, Dylan Moffitt. Moffitt wasn't the go-to halfback until week three, he later missed one game and part of another due to injury, yet still rushed for 745 yards, while averaging over six yards per carry. In the mold of previous bruisers, 220-pounder Tyler Hart is expected to start at fullback. Providing a speed threat as well is varsity newcomer Austin Capalupo. "Dylan is fast, Austin (Capalupo) is fast, and Tyler is fast for his size," Mattingly said. "Austin (Carr) has the tools to lead the offense, and we believe he can do it."

---

RECEIVERS/TIGHT END