The saying might be, “Everything old is new again,” but for new Basehor-Linwood football coach Steve Hopkins, it’s the “old” faces of junior and senior players who are giving him enthusiasm for the upcoming season.

Hopkins, who takes the Bobcat coaching job after leading his Odessa, Mo., team to the state playoffs in four of the five years he was in charge, didn’t exactly find the cupboards bare when he arrived at BLHS in the summer. Several junior and senior starters return from a team that improved from a winless season in 2002 to earn two victories last year.

Specifically, Hopkins feels that his squad will benefit from senior leadership in the front line and at quarterback, as well as a solid junior starting core. The Bobcats could have as many as 11 juniors playing on the first team.

“The strength of our team is really going to be up front and at quarterback,” Hopkins said. “And that push is going to come primarily from our seniors. These kids are all great kids. They’re good athletes, great students and great young men.

“I want those guys to be able to leave a legacy of commitment, confidence and champions. It will all come back to the example they set.”

The strong senior core is led by Tim Brownlee, a 6-foot-6, 300-pound lineman who Hopkins has labeled, “a legitimate Division One prospect.” Brownlee, who started every game last year for the Bobcats, has “very good feet” according to Hopkins.

Kyle Hancock, an offensive and defensive lineman at 6-5, 265 pounds, returns for his senior campaign after leading the team in tackles last year.

Joining Hancock and Brownlee on the defensive line will be Kyle Speichinger, a versatile 6-4 player who can play linebacker and end. Hopkins said Speichinger gives the team a lot of flexibility and he’s looking for him to contribute all over the field.

Front row, from left: Will Peterson, Zach Davis, Dustin Weimer, Alex Smith. Second row: Andy Call, Robert Lewis, Drew Hunter, Josh Ishmael, Michael Armstrong. Back row: Garrett Chumley, Michael Hancock, Tim Brownlee, Kyle Speichinger, Seth Lashbrook, Brian Marshall.

On offense, fullback Josh Ishmael (6-1, 215) returns to the backfield and is poised for another season of punishing would-be tacklers. Ishmael also plays middle linebacker on defense.

“Josh is a super fullback,” Hopkins said. “He’s extremely important on offense, and, defensively, he’s a leader.”

Quarterback Michael Arm-strong (6-0, 179) will join Ishmael in the backfield, rounding out the impressive senior crew.

Armstrong started the final six games of the 2003 season and racked up more than 1,200 yards in total offense. Defen-sively, he led the team in interceptions.

Basehor-Linwood will open its season Friday at Bonner Springs. After a four-year drought, the Bobcats defeated the Braves last season.