Interboro has a lot to prove in Del Val League

Coach: Steve Lennox (23rd season)

2014 Record: 5-7 (3-2 Del Val League)

2014 In Two Sentences: Inconsistent is a word to best describe the Bucs’ 2014 season. Despite qualifying for the District One Class AAA playoffs, the Bucs lost to Springfield in the opening round and ended the year on a three-game losing streak.

Key Departures: Sean Menold (QB-LB), Mark Everton (WR), Mike O’Chuida (RB-LB).

Looking Ahead: The Bucs enter the year with plenty to prove, but the talent is there to win football games. It’s weird to consider them an underdog in the Del Val, but after back-to-back disappointing seasons, the Bucs will have to show they mean business in 2015.

Lennox is working in a new quarterback, senior Danny Mea, who played linebacker/fullback last year. However, the Bucs have several returning starters at key positions. The skill positions are loaded with talent and both the offensive and defensive line units have a bunch of  “tough, hard-nosed kids,” according to Lennox.

Time will tell if the Bucs can put it together and get back to the top of the Del Val.

Players to Watch: Mea, Steve Royer (OL-DL) and Chase Pattinson (TE-DL) are the captains. Royer is coming off an injury-plagued 2014 season, while Pattinson showed immense potential last season as a pass-catching tight end.

Pattinson will be helped in the receiving game by juniors Matt DiSands, who is the nephew of former Interboro great Bobby DiSands, Connor Adams and Mike McMillen.

Lennox will lean on his depth at the running back position. Seniors Chris Hummel, Chris Thomas and Lamar Shaw received the bulk of the carries last fall. Shaw is a run-right-at-you freight train when he’s going well.

The offensive line will be a work in progress, with returning starter and senior tackle Brandon Tynes (6-3, 250) anchoring the unit.

Season Opener: Home vs. Springfield, Friday, Sept. 4, 7 p.m.