Tonganoxie coach Mark Elston never has experienced a losing season at THS.

Despite having a fairly inexperienced team this year, the fifth-year Chieftain coach will work to keep that statistic consistent.

“We’re extremely young at offensive line,” Elston said.

Overall, Tonganoxie lost 13 seniors from last year’s squad, including four linemen — Nick Stein, Luke McCarty, Adam Alexander and Matt Weyer.

Of those 13 seniors, six are on collegiate rosters this fall. Justin Walker is at Missouri Western, McCarty and Billy Baska are at Missouri Southern, Stein and Alexander are at Mid-America Nazarene and Dustan Sprowls is at Dodge City Community College.

Last year’s squad nearly became the first Tonganoxie team in more than 40 years to finish the regular season undefeated. The team ended the year with a share of the Kaw Valley League title and an 8-2 record. In the team’s second consecutive playoff appearance, Atchison cruised against THS, 39-0, in the Class 4A bi-districts.

As Elston said, he has a young team. This year’s Chieftains have 62 players on the roster — 23 of whom are freshmen. The team returns with eight seniors, including linebacker Kaleb Lawrence, quarterback Ross Starcher and running back/safety Sam Mitchell and Zach Ditty

Although the team will have weapons in the backfield, it must replace Walker at quarterback and Tim Hopkins and Baska at running back.

A plus for the young squad during the preseason has been the weather. After enduring 100-degree heat last August, the team has been able to practice more efficiently in substantially milder temperatures.

“We’ve been able to get a lot more accomplished,” Elston said. “We’re not as advanced as we were last year, but we’re coming along.”

Defense seems to be the team’s strong point. The team boasts Lawrence, along with Mitchell and Ditty. Starcher also was a regular on defense last fall.

“As far as team speed, we’ve got some pretty decent speed on defense,” Elston said.

Front row, from left: Seniors Andy Eisman, Garrett Palmer, Kaleb Lawrence, Ross Starcher, Sam Mitchell, Zach Ditty, Clay Lamb and Daniel Workman. Also pictured are Kirk Rodell, Jeff Hughes, Jef Price, Zeb Kissinger, Tyler Miles, Brandon Miles, Matt Drake Danile Volk, B.T. Fleming, Tyler Thomas, Phil George, Seth Lloyd, Jeff Frank, Kent Fleming, Leighton Simpson, Derrick Parret, Josh Maxom, Aaron Adcox, Mike Hnre, Ryan Bennett, Brian Morris, Chris Ridihaulgh, Justin McDaniel, Noah Fugate, Spencer Davidson, Thomas Hopkins, Darren Robertson, Jordan Herron, Allen Athon, Austin Koontz, Kendrick Worthington, Todd Brown, Eric Lowe, Jared Lamb, Wes Armstrong, Matt Ditty, Keith Wentz-Hall, Kevin Gill, D.J. Gray, Wade Garrison, Travis Adcox, Chance Rawlings, A.J. Demaranville, Drew Scates, Wyatt Coffin, Tyler Henderson, Cameron Adcox, Josh Drake, Gabe Belobraidick, Matt Van Druff.

The team also welcomes back Kent Fleming, an All-Kaw Valley League selection on the defensive line last year as a sophomore.

“I’m not so sure there’s anybody in the conference who can handle him one-on-one,” Elston said.

Even on defense, however, the team will have some holes to fill with the big senior class graduating.

Special teams, meanwhile, are fully intact with Starcher at punter, Clay Lamb at long snapper and Kirk Rodell at place-kicker.

Elston never has had a losing season in four seasons at THS and carries a 23-15 career record at the school.

With a young team, though, those statistics might be tested this season.

“Hopefully we can get off on a good foot,” Elston said, “and give ourselves some confidence.”

Tonganoxie opens its season Friday against Lansing.