ROGERS -- The Rogers Heritage defensive line may be short on experience, but War Eagles football coach Perry Escalante won't be scrambling for fresh bodies this season.
If a player on the defensive line was slightly injured during a game last season, Escalante struggled to find replacements.
The Skinny
Position Battle: Defensive Line
Biggest Strength: Depth. … The War Eagles have as many as eight that could rotate in at times. That’s a big difference from a year ago when Heritage was scrambling to find more than four.
Biggest Question Mark: Inexperience. … Only Collin Gorman saw significant playing time a year ago on Friday night.
Watch Out For: Andy Mendoza. … The 6-0, 240-pound junior is expected to be a difference-maker for the War Eagles.
"You know Carson Scott played with a little bit of a knee injury most of the season," Escalante said. "What a tough kid. We had four maybe five (players at the position) last year. This year we've got several."
Senior Collin Gorman (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) is the lone returning starter and only one with significant experience on Friday night. He holds down one end spot. Three juniors join Gorman currently on the first team with Jed Wilson (6-0, 204) at the other end. Juan Jacobo (5-10, 295) and Andy Mendoza (6-0, 240) will play inside.
The good news is defensive coordinator Paul Wilson doesn't stop there when talking about players he thinks can help the War Eagles on Friday nights this fall.
Juniors Ashton Johnson (5-10, 220), Claudius Kabua (6-0, 165), Jose Brena (5-9, 238) and senior Angel Hernandez (5-8, 217) are working as backups, but are likely to see Friday night action, Wilson said.
Escalante and Wilson both mentioned sophomore Conner Thomas (5-10, 232) as another who could see action, earning the nickname "mini Carson" from his aggressive style of play similar to graduated senior Carson Scott, who was a three-year starter on the defensive line. But Thomas also figures in at fullback some, too.
Mendoza, who has added 10 pounds in the offseason, said he learned a lot playing behind seniors like Scott.
"I have a good feeling about this season," Mendoza said. "I'm not all the way there yet, but I've getting there. Carson tried to help me and direct me to help make me better and I tried to listen and learn."
Wilson said Mendoza has the potential to be a standout.
"He's quick off the ball and has good technique," Wilson said. "All of them are very coachable. I really enjoy these guys."
Escalante said the key will be them adapting to the speed of Friday night in the 7A-West.
"We need to see someone else blocking those guys, so the scrimmage will be good for them," Escalante said.
Wilson said he's entering the season with the idea of utilizing six to eight defensive linemen during games.
"We will put a group there to announce as the starters, but I think we will be able to roll as many as eight through with little or no drop-off," Wilson said.
Escalante is confident the group should be solid even without much varsity experience.
"I think we'll be OK there," Escalante said. "Having six or eight helps me sleep a little easier."
Heritage plays host to Van Buren on for a preseason scrimmage at 6 p.m., on Tuesday, Aug. 26 in Gates Stadium
Sports on 08/15/2014