SARANAC LAKE — Eric Bennett hasn't changed much since taking over for Mark Farmer as Saranac Lake's coach.
The spread offense, which Bennett brought in when he was made offensive coordinator four years ago, is still there. The defense is pretty much the same, too.
He did add one thing — a hammer.
"It's a new tradition," Bennett said of the red-tipped sledgehammer. "The hammer goes to the kid that makes the biggest hit in a scrimmage or game."
The Red Storm bring back 17 players from last season's 7-2 squad, many of them returning starters or players who saw game action in 2009. The team remains strong, Bennett said, because of the Saranac Lake program.
"Our modified coaches and our JV coaches do a tremendous job preparing kids to play football," Bennett said. "They come to us at the varsity level fundamentally sound and because of that we're able to plug in kids when we need to.
"The past couple years we've been fortunate that the kids right behind our first string are competitors."
Ten positions will be filled by a returning starter, while other new starters played significant minutes last year.
Forrest Morgan, who filled in for injured starter Brandon Patraw last season, won the quarterback job after a close battle with fellow senior Mike Phelan. Bennett said Phelan will still get meaningful minutes at quarterback.
"We're equally as confident in Michael," he said.
Morgan completed 20-of-29 passes for 243 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions in three games as the primary quarterback.
He also added 238 rushing yards to Saranac Lake's season total of 1,631.
C.J. Stewart and Josh Quinn will be the one-two punch in the backfield. Stewart led the team last year with 54 carries, 410 yards and eight touchdowns.
"He would just as soon run through someone as run around them," Bennett said.
Quinn, a quick, shifty runner Bennett said, averaged 12 yards a carry in limited action in 2009. Mike Sappone is also in the mix.
Dalton Demarco returns at receiver, joined by Gideon Smith, who will also see action at tight end. Devin Darrah will also see time at receiver.
Saranac Lake's offensive line returns two starters in left guard Brian Fortune and right guard Liam Ward. Left tackle Chris Dorman saw extensive playing time in 2009.
Center Luke Atkinson, the first recipient of the hammer, will start at center, and Braxton Tissot is at right tackle.
The Red Storm return an experienced defense, one that has been focusing on tenacity. The hammer is part of that.
Quinn, Demarco and Morgan make up a seasoned secondary. Dorman and Stewart return in the linebacker corps, joined by Peter Madden. Atkinson and Kyle Dora will also see time.
Ward and Fortune will team with returning starter Sean Ryan to form the first of two defensive line sets. Smith, Tissot and Brendan Woodard make up the second line unit.
Bennett said chemistry is the team's biggest strength.
"We got kids pushing each other, providing support," he said. "They're enthusiastic. Our kids are focused, and they're committed to doing everything to obtain this season's goals."
The Red Storm open up the season hosting Ticonderoga Saturday.
"We're looking to win a couple of championships, but our No. 1 goal right now is just to go 1-0 this weekend against Ticonderoga," Stewart said.
E-mail Ryan Hayner at: rhayner@pressrepublican.com
Police: 5-time Champ Johnny Tapia Found Dead
Native Americans' Olympic Medals Displayed in DC
Manning on Target at First Practice
Raw Video: Olympic Torch Relay Begins in England
Raw Video: Olympic Torch Passed to London
Selig: Oakland Move Might Be Considered
McNamee: Clemens, Canseco Had Steroids Talk
Laurie Fine: My Life Has Been Destroyed
MLB: Mets Get 2013 All Star Game
Bernie Fine's Wife to Sue ESPN
Kyrie Irving Named NBA's Top Rookie
McNamee Says He Gave Clemens Steroids in 1998
Phelps Looks to Add to Medal Haul in London
Raw Video: McNamee Arrives at Clemens Trial
Bulls Bounced From Playoffs
Former NFL Star Junior Seau Found Dead
NFL Suspends 4 Players for Saints' Bounties
Reigning U.S. Champ Eying Olympic Gold in London
Knicks Fans Disappointed in Stoudemire
