Quarterback Andrew Erdos is back from last year. He’s thrown for 103 yards and two touchdowns and has rushed for 124 more yards. However, his main job this year has shifted to handing the ball off to running backs Terrence Davis (257 yards, two TDs) and Rawlins Huntley (215 yards, three TDs).

“Last year, we had more big-play type guys,” McClearn said. “This year we’re more conservative — three or four yards a crack, more sustained drives, ball security. Not having penalties on offense will be important for us. And, hopefully, we can put some drives together.”

Linesville also graduated a tough fullback last year in Doug Williams, who led the team in rushing. Yet, the Lions have discovered new ways to move the ball.

“We’ve been trying to mix it up better, not just pounding fullback, fullback, fullback,” Gould said.

Senior Doug Farley has done a nice job as Linesville’s primary back in the first three games, gaining 367 yards on 44 carries and scoring three touchdowns. And junior quarterback Trevor Litwiler has really expanded Linesville’s aerial capabilities, completing more than 72 percent of his passes for 364 yards and five touchdowns.

“(Linesville) is much more a speed team than a power-oriented team like last year,” McClearn said. “The guys that were complimentary to Williams have stepped up and are now running the show.”

The Lions have also had a secondary back enter the game each week and provide some nice yardage and even a couple scores. In Week 1 it was junior Walt Litwin. In Week 2, freshman Jimmy Kearns made some solid contributions. And last week, sophomore Stephen Gaetano had a nice game.

“We’ve been mixing in different guys in the backfield and those kids have done well,” Gould said. “That’s been nice. We haven’t been trying to do that. We’re not looking to throw the ball to anyone in particular or give anyone more carries than anyone else. But every game someone steps up and has nice game. We’re not just a one-dimensional team like we might have been last year.”

Pete Chiodo can be reached at 724-6370 ext. 275 or by e-mail at pchiodo@meadvilletribune.com.