Indian Land High suffered through an unforgiving season last year. The Warriors won only one game, scored 50 total points, and had to deal with harsh conditions while the school was being renovated.

The team has won just three of its last 20 games dating back to 2006, scoring just 165 total points in that span - just over eight points per game.

Offensive improvement is the focus of the preseason workouts. To make this year a successful one, that must start with the offensive line.

"We can run the football and control the tempo of the game," head coach Mike Mayer said of having an improved line.

That was not a strong point the last two seasons as the team could not control the time of possession.

The offensive linemen are taking a stand this year as they understand the importance of improving as a group.

Mayer said he is pleased with the defense through the first two scrimmages of the season, but is unsure of who will start on the offensive line out of the 10 or so players competing for spots.

"We are stronger and more experienced," said lineman Sam Seigler. "You have to block out all of the outside criticism," he said in reference to last season.

While the team is low on senior leadership, coach Mayer is counting on his large junior class to provide the intangibles needed to be successful.

The incoming juniors represent the largest class in school history. In addition, the core of those players made up the JV team that compiled the best record the school has seen, according to Mayer.

Of the returning juniors, lineman Josh Gray will be counted on for leadership. He started last season and knows that the team is set up for bigger things this year.

"We have played football together for years," said Gray. "We try to stick together and make sure that we get better."

The team is eager to get back on the field and prove that last year will not repeat itself.

"I use last year as motivation," Bradley Walker said. "I don't want to go down that road again."

The Warriors, who open at Buford a week from Friday, are optimistic that a new season will bring a turnaround to the dismal memory of last year.

"We want to build a brotherhood and go through the whole experience together," Cody Arnold said. "For a lot of the seniors we will never get to do this again."

As the seniors prepare for their final scholastic season, the juniors are hoping to return this program back into the playoffs, where they have not been since 2005.