Coach Bill Dillen

Last year, "the kids really did a great job overall but we had two tough losses," Freeport Coach Bill Dillen notes. "We went 6-3 but didn't make playoffs."

Dillen, also the track coach, graduated some of last year's starters who also placed in the PIAA championships. "We lost some speed there and some three-year regulars. You don't replace those guys, you try to fill in the voids and hopefully the other kids will step it up," the coach says.

Still, the second-year head coach likes what he sees. "Overall, I'm very happy things have been working out." Bill says, "We have a nice turnout of kids coming out for the team. [And] it's nice to have some people on the staff that played here—some of the other coaches and myself. So, we have some ownership in the program."

The loss of the senior speedsters will be felt, but Dillen has some horses that've been working and waiting for the chance. He elaborates, "We're going to be very young. We have some athletes, but they are going to have to grow up fast. We're hoping maybe their athleticism will allow them to do some things that we need to do. We've had as many kids in the weight room as we've had in a long time, so I've been real happy with that, and hopefully it translates into some wins."

The young team will have to dig in and fight. It faces a tough schedule. "Our conference is going to be balanced," Dillen sums it up: "I don't think there is going to be an easy one." Bill Dillen tailors a sketch of the Jackets and their season for you in the video interview at: http://www.alle-kiskitoday.com/webcasts/1482