Sumner begins its season on the road with a 7 p.m. game Friday against Franklin Pierce.

The Spartans remain under the direction of veteran coach Keith Ross who returns for his 15th season.

Last year, Sumner finished with a 6-5 record. The Spartans’ season ended with a loss in the postseason to powerful Bellevue.

One thing Ross looks forward to this season is “seeing how our young guys respond to their new roles as varsity starters,” he said.

Due to graduation, the Spartans lost its four year starting quarterback Chase Torgison as well all-league players Nick Farman, Triston Wedington and Jesse Lindhal.

This season, players Ross said to keep an eye on will be Connor Wedington, Josh Riley, Tre Weed, Jack McDonald and Seth Carnahan.

Last season, Wedington ran for 1,300 yards and scored 20 touchdowns, while Riley was the Spartans’ second-leading rusher.

Tre Weed is a transfer student this season.

He is an “explosive athlete,” Ross said.

Weed will be playing wide receiver for the Spartans.

McDonald is Sumner’s top returning tackler, Ross said.

Carnahan is playing his first season as a football player. During the winter, he plays basketball for the Spartans. He will be found on the offensive line.

Ross said he is an “exceptional two-sport athlete.”

As for the season, “we have playoff aspirations,” Ross said.