With plenty of fresh, new faces behind the facemasks, the Caldwell Hornets may have to grind their way to victories. Grinding is something they do very well, though, with an offense that will continue to highlight the running game.

Caldwell was hit hard by graduation, but a strong crew on the offensive line holds great promise for the Hornets' running approach in 2008.

"Hopefully, we are doing things here that plugs kids into the system that we are running," Caldwell coach Dale Williams said. "Defensively, we have a lot of experience, not a lot of change, but offensively we can control more because of blocking schemes and all that. The kids should understand their roles."

The Hornets' guard tandem is back on the offensive line with Adrian Sheppard at left guard and junior Trent Meckel on the right side.

Eli Gage, who Williams calls a "great leader," returns at tight end. A top blocker on the Hornets' running game, Gage points the way with his hard work.

"Our offensive line, we've got to hang our hat on those guys," Williams said. "For this thing to work, I don't care what offense you're running, you have to have offensive linemen. Jared Mathis at our center spot was a question mark, but he's come on big for us."

Mark Havens, who played a lot as a junior, will start at tackle.

Senior Trenton Sims will take over at quarterback. Sims, a key running back last season, knows every aspect of the offense, which provided the most productive ground game in the Brazos Valley last year.

"He stepped in this fall and has done a great job," Williams said. "He played all of the running back positions last year as well as being the backup quarterback."

Senior running backs Randel Lister and junior Nelson Scott are stepping into lead roles this season. Scott averaged 5.7 yards per carry last season, rushing for 229 yards and a touchdown. Lister ran for 114 yards on seven carries.

Caldwell also will use junior fullback Kyson Woolverton, who saw significant action in the Hornets' two playoff games last season.

"Kyson Woolverton has picked it up," Williams said.

A pair of seniors return to the defensive front -- defensive end Nicholas Havemann (68 tackles last season) and tackle John Tucker.

Senior cornerback Armon Sims also had a strong first scrimmage, but despite having three experienced leaders on the defense, Williams says the most question marks will be on that side of the ball for Caldwell.

"Armon is that leader that we are counting on defensively," Williams said. "Nicholas Havemann was an all-district player last year, and we're expecting the same thing from him this year.

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NOTES -- Caldwell's offense employs a similar running attack to the one used by San Marcos and Liberty Hill.