With 55 upperclassmen (juniors or seniors), the Kings football team will have the highest amount of players between those classes in school history this season.

Kings coach Andy Olds said there is depth at every position, especially in the special teams area.

The Knights finished 8-2 overall and 4-1 in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference Cardinal division last season.

Kings won three consecutive games to finish the regular season including Wilmington (24-0), Little Miami (37-7) and Walnut Hills (45-0).

Coming into this August, there are 21 seniors, including seven returners on offense and five on defense. Olds said there are 16 returning lettermen.

Official practice begins Aug. 3, according to the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

All-conference returners include quarterback Bruce Ernest, running back Connor Warye, defensive end Danny Hagee, defensive back Brian Dern and defensive lineman Mike Kidder.

Olds said the weakness might be the wide receiver position as Kings lost four players to graduation.

NOTEBOOK: Former Kings and Lafayette quarterback Brad Maurer joins the coaching staff full-time and will work with the quarterbacks and offensive coordinator John Karabinus. Olds said Maurer is taking a year off before he starts graduate studies. “He is the real deal even as a coach,” Olds said.