By Jacob Heid

Sports Editor

AMHERST – When it comes to Amherst football, Head Coach Mark Lusic always leans towards experience out on the field.

That’s been the key ingredient for the success of the Amherst football program.  

This upcoming season, that experience will come from the interior of the offense and defense. 

“We have a lot of guys returning up front, offensively and defensively. That’s where our experience is returning,” Lusic said. “Our perimeter guys are brand new guys which was the opposite last year.”

Specifically, the offensive and defensive line will help tremendously early in the season. 

“The D-line is going to anchor us. There are probably about six guys who will see the field, and we’re going to lean on them. Most of them are seniors,” Lusic explained. “That’s the offensive line, too. They’re going to have to, especially at the beginning of the year, really control the line of scrimmage for us, so we can get things moving on the perimeter.”

Some of those returners include seniors Charlie Lehman, Balin Wojtalewicz, Gunnar Wierzba, Alex Glodowski and sophomore Logan Glodowski who can set the tone on both sides of the ball.  

Another challenge the team faces is replacing yet another senior quarterback.

Over the last five seasons, the Falcons have gone through four different quarterbacks. 

There is another new body under center for Amherst this season. 

“Like the smaller school that we are, you’ve got to develop quarterbacks. Right now, we have two seniors kind of fighting for the job, Michael Benjamin and Westin Allen,” Lusic said. They are both progressing very well. Whoever doesn’t start is going to start both ways.”

As for the running game, Amherst’s backfield is highlighted by returning senior Nasiah Holland, but other players will find the field. 

“It’s running back by committee right now. Nassiah Holland is coming back. He’ll be a senior this year. We have a couple of other guys that are in the mix who are going to have to step up,” Lusic said.

Amherst gets a look at its progression in a scrimmage vs. Winneconne at Amherst on Friday, Aug. 11, at 4 p.m. 

The Falcons open the season at home vs. Clintonville on Friday, Aug. 18, at 7 p.m.