Turn the page from a year ago.

This year’s edition of Jim Thorpe football will feature a stable of young talent, led by four outstanding senior veterans.

Coach Mark Rosenberger, in his 28th season at the helm, will be counting on a group of very athletic underclassmen to improve upon last year’s three-win record.

The team will be led by one of the most exciting players that Thorpe has had in their illustrious history. Senior dual threat quarterback Cole Lazorick is a game-changer. The three-year starter has accounted for 52 touchdowns — 34 passing and 18 rushing — included in his total of 1,213 yards gained on the ground.

“Cole’s ability to understand defenses has improved steadily,” said Rosenberger. “He knows when to go for the downfield pass and when to check down.”

Rosenberger praised his signal caller’s leadership.

“He leads by example in the weight room and through his hard work. Cole is vocal, too, but he gains respect from his teammates because he walks the talk.”

The Olympians will have exceptional speed at the other skill positions to accompany Lazorick.

Joshua Louk, who has averaged over six yards a carry in his career, will line up “everywhere” according to Rosenberger with the plan to get him as many touches as possible. As a receiver, the speedy senior has caught 88 passes for 14 TDs during the past three years.

“Josh is multi-dimensional,” his head coach said. “He has great vision when he runs and great hands to catch the pass. His speed is exceptional when he gets into open space.”

One of four freshmen expected to see plenty of varsity time is running back Bobby Levins.

Rosenberger likes Levin’s maturity and patience to stay behind his blocks until he accelerates through the hole. At fullback, junior Paxton Novack and sophomore Nick Faust will bring physicality to block and pick up blitzes.

Senior Connor Zurawa will switch off from tight end to wide receiver. Sophomores Spencer Gothard and Dominic Kiehl will provide a deep ball threat along with Louk. Also seeing time at tight end will be freshman Ben Remmel.

As every coach will say, the offense succeeds only if the linemen do their jobs. Performing the snaps in JT’s shotgun formation at center will be Adam Ziolkiewicz. The guards are junior Gavin Baker and sophomore Michael Solt. Manning the tackle positions will be senior Gavin Strohl and junior Logan O’Shura. Rotating into the line is sophomore Gaetano Sarnelli and freshman Lucas Knopf.

“We may be smaller across the line than in previous years, but we’re quick off the snap,” said Rosenberger. “Baker is a good drive blocker with football intelligence. Solt is physically strong and has good leverage. Strohl can run and pass block, and O’Shura is football smart and versatile enough to play anywhere on the line.

“They are coming together as one unit and they play hard on every single down.”

Last season, Thorpe’s defensive side of the ball did not resemble the Red Swarm that Thorpe fans have been used to seeing. Rosenberger hopes that this year’s version will greatly reduce the number of points allowed in 2024.

Solidifying the front four in the trenches will be Strohl and Baker on the inside with Solt and Ziolkiewicz manning the edges.

“They have all had playing time last season,” said Rosenberger. “They’re getting better at block recognition, shedding blocks, and being physical.”

At the second level, he likes Faust to patrol the middle with his size and ability to take on blocks. Zurawa and Kiehl will be the outside linebackers. Both can stop the run and drop into pass coverage.

Lazorick will bring his speed and athleticism at defensive back along with Gothard. Starting safety belongs to Louk.

Rosenberger likes the chemistry of his team with their senior leadership bonding with the athletic, but somewhat inexperienced younger players.

“We’re not setting expectations, but we’re excited about the improved culture we have and our overall mindset to do what needs to be done. Our team will play hard and hungry to prove themselves.”

In a league stacked with powerhouse programs, JT realizes it will be under the radar in 2025 and not favored in too many games.

And that’s exactly how they want it to be.

POSITION BREAKDOWN

QUARTERBACKS

Expect veteran Cole Lazorick to spark the offense with both his arm and his legs. Backing up the three-year starter is junior Kaden Hess, who can step in with his poise and ability to run all the plays in JT’s multiple offensive sets.

RUNNING BACKS

Both backs behind the QB will carry the ball, as well as wide receivers in jet sweep formations. Senior Joshua Louk can take it to the house whether by the run or the pass. Freshman Bobby Levins has been turning heads in practice and should get his fair share of carries. Fullbacks Nick Faust and Paxton Novack will lead block through the tackles and pick up blitzes.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Defenses will have to key on Louk when he lines up at wideout where he can run or fly downfield to catch the homerun ball. Sophomores, Spencer Gothard and Dominic Kiehl bring speed to the passing game. Connor Zurawa will line up at the edge or at tight end.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Up front, Thorpe will start junior Adam Ziolkiewicz at center with junior Gavin Baker and sophomore Michael Solt at the guard slots. Anchoring the line at tackle will be senior Gavin Strohl and junior Logan O’Shura. Rotating into the games are sophomore Gaetano Sarnelli and freshaman Lucas Knopf. Tight end belongs to Zurawa when he’s not at wideout with freshman Ben Remmel blocking the edge otherwise.

DEFENSIVE LINE

The defensive front will include Strohl and Baker on the inside with Solt and Ziolkiewicz protecting the edges. O’Shura, Knopf and Sarnelli provide depth.

LINEBACKERS

Rosenberger is stressing every helmet to the ball on every play. Sophomore Nick Faust mans the middle with the athleticism to tackle sideline to sideline. Zurwawa and Kiehl intend to stop the sweeps and keep containment to the middle of the field. Novack and Remmel will spell the starters.

SECONDARY

Lazorick and Gothard will play the corners with juniors Ralph Clay and Christian Ortiz getting into the action. Louk plays the deep middle. Knopf. Anthony Kiehl, Levins and freshman, Phillip Garner will be in the rotation and keep the secondary fresh.