At this time last year, the Eudora High football team was charged with filling some big holes on offense.

The Cardinals had lost all-state running back Andrew Pyle and two all-state guards from an 11-2 team that finished with a narrow loss in the state semifinals.

Most of those questions were answered with the Cards posting a sound 7-3 record and a fourth straight district title. By most accounts it amounted to another successful season for an emerging traditional power.

Two of the three losses came at the hands of rival Baldwin, including a lopsided, season-ending playoff loss at home. That crushing defeat, coupled with more key losses on offense, led to another offseason full of question marks.

Eudora coach Gregg Webb is pressed with the task of replacing starting quarterback Tyler Cleveland, half the offensive line and the entire receiving corps.

The Cardinals’ talented receivers were also two-way players, forming one of the most feared secondaries in the league.

“I think we only have four returning kids on offense so we have some holes to fill,” Webb said. “We have got some guys that have played some varsity ball, but they haven’t necessarily played at that position. But they’re good kids, and they’re good players, and so far it looks like it could be an excellent year.”

The key offensively is quarterback with junior Kyle Brouhard the heir apparent to replace Cleveland.

“(Brouhard) has stepped right in for us at quarterback,” Webb said. “I mean, we haven’t missed a beat. That was a big question mark for us, but he really took over the reins. The kid can just throw it.”

It could be a challenge for Webb to adapt his game plan to Brouhard’s strengths. Webb’s hard-nosed, run-heavy style produced five state championships during his tenure at Class 2A Claflin.

First row, from left: James Bruner, Dylan Rust, Kelson Boyer, Gage Ham, Jordan Noble, Brynnen Webb, Aaron Shockley, Brian White, Ryan Chaney, Travis Clarke, Fabian Fernandez, Matthew Abel, Chase Rust, coach Scott Stein; second row: coach Mark Katzenmeier, Blake Stouder, Tim Durkin, Richard Wilks, Josh Love, James Mills, Chad Krutz, Matthew McPeek, Charles Mersmann, Michael Whitten, Austin Hoover, Kyle Scrimsher, Miles Cleveland, Mike Sledd, Max Alvarez, Mark Abel, coach Kevin Wade; third row: coach Jim Rose, Michael Ortega, Josh Turnbaugh, Frank Male, Raymond Wellman, Tim Moran, Austin Calhoon, Josh Barr, Kyle Brouhard, Luke Abel, William Bock, Paul Smith, Chris Durkin, Chad Waln, Larry Straughn, Brian Sledd, Morgan Abel; fourth row: head coach Gregg Webb, coach Matt Spring, Rodney Spillman, Steven Prudden, Todd Roberts, Joe Faulk, Jeremie Bryant, Brendan Jackson, Derin Stewart, Joe Kaup, Dustin Deathe, Phil Lister, Joel Morrison, Loni Ogden, Eli Ashley, Kirby Montgomery and coach Ty Pattison.

Brouhard is not the dangerous running threat his predecessor was, which puts added pressure and emphasis on the new starting tailback, junior Luke Abel, and the new receivers.

Abel is a speedster with the ability to make big plays. He’ll be aided by senior fullback Brendan Jackson, who separated himself a year ago with his ability to earn that extra yard. Jackson also possessed a knack for the big play — a rare quality for a fullback.

The success of Brouhard, Abel and Jackson depends on the Cards’ rebuilt offensive line. But this group may be the highlight of practice thus far.

Webb calls their cohesiveness significantly advanced in comparison to last year’s group.

“The potential there is really pretty good, and the attitude is so much better,” Webb said. “The attitude between this year’s team and last year’s team is a million times better.”

While the offensive coaching staff is searching for personnel and an identity, the defensive unit may have to carry Eudora for a second consecutive year.

And whereas the offense was ravaged by graduation, the defense returns each member of its talented front seven.

Defensively, Eudora was as good as any team in the league last year. The Cardinal defense — led by linebacker Chris Durkin, who returns for his senior year — yielded more than 20 points just twice.

In the other eight games, Eudora’s opponents averaged just more than 10 points per game, including two shutouts.

Eudora will start its season Friday at Wellsville.