TAMA — From a production standpoint, the South Tama Trojans are looking at a lot of replacements for the 2022 football season. Losing all three quarterbacks, four of the team’s top six rushers and three of its top five tacklers on defense, the Trojans are going to rely on underclassmen and returning veterans to see if the team can improve upon a 2-7 record.

The Trojans’ schedule won’t be any easier, but head coach Nate Doran said he has been pleased with the start STC has given in practice.

“We’ve had probably one of the better camps and starts to practice than I’ve had in a long time,” Doran said. “We’ve got a lot of kids with a lot of great positivity and intensity, we’re having intense practices and we’re working our butts off.”

There’s not an easy answer at quarterback for the Trojans — however, the all-around play of junior Gavin Bridgewater in 2021 (292 rushing yards and 158 receiving yards) has given him an opportunity to take the role and make it his own. Doran said it’s not Bridgewater’s natural position, but added there’s potential there for him to grow.

Other important players on the offensive side of the ball are expected to be Nolan Upah, and Rudy Papakee, who is gearing up to be a senior leader on defense as well.

Papakee has gained some weight since last season and bulked up, Doran said, allowing him to be a more versatile weapon on the defensive side of the ball and as a running back for STC.

“He’s really put the time in in the summer,” Doran said. “He’s happy as he can be and he’s going to be a leader.”

Ethan Cruikshank was another name Doran mentioned as potentially being key to the Trojans playing competitively.

The schedule for South Tama is a difficult one just like it was in 2021 — starting with a road game against West Marshall Aug. 26, a game the Trojans lost 45-6. South Tama plays five home games, starting with Saydel on Sept. 2 and ending with the final game of the season against Hampton-Dumont-CAL on Oct. 21. In between, there are matchups with quality opponents such as Grinnell, Independence and West Delaware.

Doran said the hard schedule is just a fact of life in Class 3A.

“It is what it is,” Doran said. “West Marshall is the only 2A school we play but they have a great program.

“Saydel, even though sometimes their program isn’t the best, they come to win, and they’ve got a new staff and a new style coming up. Friday nights are not going to be easy by any means.”