Blaec Saeger has never wavered.

Surely, Saeger didn’t imagine the 2020 season would look like this.

Saeger was optimistic his second year in charge of the Pleasant Valley football program would be met with fewer bumps in the road.

But in the midst of an offseason of uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic - which included the season opener getting pushed back two weeks due to the district dealing with positive COVID-19 case and the loss of valuable practice time caused by the shutdown - Saeger has found perspective through hardship, and remained steadfast in his approach.

“Coming off the COVID issues and the late start and all of that, I’m pretty pleased,” he said. “It’s a lot of adversity that every program has had to go through; losing two-a-days, and basically having to do your summer practices after school. It’s been different, but the kids have responded very well. And I think we’re headed in a good direction. I don’t expect miracles overnight; but we get better every day. I have a tremendous coaching staff, and a great group of kids, and they’re willing to work to get better.

“We’ve had a lot of ups and downs; we’re far from a well-oiled machine. But it’s still a new system, even though we’re in our second year, it’s still new. We lost some seniors that we have to replace, but the kids grind, they work, and I’m very pleased with their efforts.”

The Bears were scheduled to begin their season Oct. 2 at Pocono Mountain East, but will now open at home tonight against PM West.

Coming off a winless (0-10) campaign in 2019, Saeger has kept the offensive philosophy that became the team’s identity a year ago, though there will be a few modifications.

“We’re still a triple option team; we’re going to control the line of scrimmage and run the football,” Saeger said. “We’re going to throw when we have the opportunities to make big plays. That has not altered one bit. It’s what I’ve always coached offensively; it’s what I believe in and that’s what I’m bringing here. I’m going to live or die with it.

“Now, the actual plays of the system, that has been tweaked. We have put less in - much less in. I made the mistake last year of putting in too much, overloading them. We’ve definitely scaled back. And I know the kids so much better; I know who they are, I know what they’re good at, and we can kind of tailor it to them within our concept of running the option.”

Pleasant Valley returns its top two rushers from a year ago in senior Jared Salazar (147 carries, 667 yards two touchdowns) and junior Robert Papaleo (116 carries, 539 yards, five TDs), as well as top pass catcher Ryan Blass (27 catches, 321 yards, three TDs), who is also a junior.

Saeger will need to replace graduated quarterback Jack Stephens, who completed 29-of-75 pass attempts for three touchdowns and seven interceptions last season

Stephens was also a vital part of making the triple option go, rushing for 297 yards and a team-leading eight scores on 80 carries.

Papaleo and junior Jake Gethen - who missed much of last season with injury - were competing for the starting quarterback position, with Papaleo winning the battle.

“They’re juniors, but they’re leaders for us,” said Saeger. “They’re kids that we really count on.”

On the other side of the ball, Saeger is hoping a unit that allowed 45.7 points and 362.8 yards per game in 2019 will also continue to develop this season.

“We’re going to move a lot, we’re going to slant a lot,” Saeger said of the defensive front, which will employ a 3-4 look. “And we’re going to use our speed and out quickness, rather than our size in a lot of cases.”

Though Pleasant Valley has amassed just three victories since going 8-3 in 2016, Saeger enters 2020 with a positive outlook about a program trending in the right direction.

“We have some improving to do, and that’s what we’re aiming to do, is improve and get better,” said Saeger. “We don’t expect miracles overnight, but I’m not in this for a one- or two-year deal. I’m in it for the long haul, and we’re going to continue to grow and progress together.”