HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Greencastle-Antrim set to open at Chambersburg

There’s been a quiet confidence about Greencastle-Antrim this summer.

It’s not unusual for a program that expects to contend, conducting workouts and practices in a deliberate, business-like manner.

Through several conversations with head coach Chuck Tinninis during the offseason, one is led to believe in his 2015 varsity football squad, especially when the 28th-year man relates its athleticism to the 2010 team that went 11-1.

Still, Tinninis wants his players to do their talking on the field.

Come Friday night, they’ll have that chance.

Making the short trip up I-81, G-A opens its campaign against nearby rival Chambersburg at beautiful Trojan Stadium, headlining the local slate of games to kick off the season at 7 p.m.

“Our kids are looking forward to it,” Tinninis said. “We’re starting against a rival in a tremendous facility, so it should be a great atmosphere.”

A year ago, the Blue Devils cruised to a 34-10 victory over the Trojans in Week 1, somewhat returning the favor after Chambersburg’s 56-10 rout of G-A in 2013.

Since renewing the series in 2010, the Trojans hold a 3-2 edge, having their three-year winning streak snapped last fall.

In many ways, that season-opening loss served as an ommon of things to come, with Chambersburg going on to post a miserable 1-9 record.

While ending with a respectable 6-4 mark, Greencastle was also left with a bad taste in its mouth after dropping four of its last six games to miss the District 3 playoffs for a third straight year.

Despite how history reads, this is a new season with a different cast of characters.

“You have to throw out what’s happened in the past,” Tinninis said. “They’ve improved and we feel like we’ve improved. They are always a very well-coached team and both sides will be ready to go. It’s going to be a big challenge for us.”

From a confidence standpoint, the Blue Devils have to like their experience at the skill positions, especially when the lights get bright.

Under center, third-year quarterback Spencer Meyers will provide a calming presence while conducting the offense, with Tinninis calling him a “coach on the field.”

Returning weapons Derek Measell, Brae Peck, James Hines and Andrew Votral grant G-A options with Bailey Parker and Demetrius Burton projected to see significant time. How often Sam Sprague will see the field — if at all — is still anyone’s guess, as the versatile senior was recently cleared for action following knee surgery this past winter.

The real test will be up front, where questions regarding the Blue Devils’ offensive line are about to be answered.

“Our line is going to be tested,” Tinninis said. “Defensively they like to run to the ball and show you various blitz packages so we’ll see if our line is up for the challenge. We’re still working on depth there and we’d like to be more settled, but we have some guys there that can play.”

G-A will also unveil its new 3-4 look on defense, a change from Tinninis’ patented 4-4. The concept is to better defend against the pass while making adjustments easier, philosophies Tinninis feels this year’s athletes can pull off.

“We have to be aggressive on defense,” Tinninis said. “They have a big line and some speed with a few nice running backs (Warren Lee and Darious Johnson), so our guys need to handle their assignments if we’re going to be successful.”

Contact Ben Destefan at 717-762-2151, bdestefan@therecordherald.com or on Twitter: @bdestefan_RH