One question for each Pocono football team to answer ahead of the season

Football season is only a month away in the Poconos , and every team is filled with anticipation of a new season.

While there is a lot to be optimistic about ahead of 2024, every program has questions as a lot of talent is no longer on the mountain and new faces will take the stage on Friday nights.

How will East Stroudsburg North perform under second-year coach David Laughlin?

The Timberwolves' head coach spent his first year at the helm establishing a culture and better habits within the football program. While the 1-9 record isn't indicative of improvements, the margin of defeat was much smaller than in 2022. Let's also remember that North only won one game in the three years prior to Laughlin taking over.

North did lose senior running back Nathanael Clay and receiver Romeo Carmen-King, but junior quarterback Wayne King returns as a second-year starter. Laughlin has also been adamant about improving the strength and conditioning program this offseason, something he didn't get to do prior to last year. Now that he's had a full offseason going into his second year, the expectations should increase, even if it's marginally.

It's no secret that East Stroudsburg North is a tough job compared to the other programs on the mountain. The players are the ones that make plays, but if the team is to significantly improve, Laughlin will have to be a part of that.

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What will East Stroudsburg South's offense look like in 2024?

Matt Walters is known as a guy that wants to throw the ball, and he's had a lot of success during his time at South. Last year he decided to change his offensive approach, opting for a Wildcat offense with Nathan Gray and Charles Capers as the running back duo.

Even with Capers returning for his senior season, the passing offense comes into the year unproven, with quarterback Ivan Laubach entering his second year as a starter after growing pains as a sophomore in 2023. Senior Xavier Pusateri is also back at wide receiver, so Walters has weapons to work with. The offense also showed flashes during the district playoff game against Southern Lehigh. What remains to be seen is if it'll all come together for Walters and Co.

Does Pleasant Valley have the offensive line for the triple option?

Say what you want about the triple option, but Blaec Saeger finished with five wins and missed the district playoffs by as narrow of a margin as possible, not to mention that they controlled their own destiny heading into the last week of the regular season.

Saeger mentioned that he may throw it a little more this season, but the Bears' offensive identity will remain the same. With that, Pleasant Valley only returns one starter from the offensive line this year, meaning he'll be relying on fresh faces to battle in the trenches, especially in the interior. With any offense, it takes multiple parts to be successful, just as it'll take the skill positions to do their jobs in the triple option. But without a stout offensive line, it's difficult to succeed.

He also said that the offensive line is more athletic than in previous years, so the amount of success will depend on how quickly the guys up front get acclimated to the varsity level. Should that work in Saeger's favor, Pleasant Valley will once again be a tough place to play, even for the blue bloods of the EPC.

Can Pocono Mountain East succeed with a spread offense?

With a new head coach in Dustin Thomas, the Cardinals will have a completely different offensive identity compared to the option they ran last year. Part of it comes from Thomas' last stop on Jim McCarroll's staff at Pocono Mountain West, but as a quarterback by trade, airing it out is in his blood.

Thomas is working on making the offense as digestible as possible, as his players have responded well so far, but it'll be different with the pads on. However, the early signs have been positive ones, and it'll be a chance for the players to show they can handle a spread offense. East will need it to be competitive on the mountain and in the EPC.

Can the new guys at Pocono Mountain West step up?

The Panthers lost senior quarterback Ryder Bray and EPC Defensive Player of the Year Brandon Stiehler from last year's district playoff team. They have junior Brady Behr coming back, but it'll be some new faces on both sides of the ball in Tobyhanna. Head coach Jim McCarroll is optimistic about some of the players stepping up in those roles, but that remains to be seen until the lights come on.

West will also have to deal with being in Class 6A this season. Without the 2024 class, the new cornerstones will be asked to perform under comparatively tougher circumstances, especially in the postseason. Time will tell if they're up to the challenge.

What is the ceiling for Stroudsburg's Mehki Kirkland and Zion Essington?

There is still the question of who'll be under center for the Mounties, but with Ben Pilcher and Jackson Mitchell both receiving time last season, the offense should be serviceable with either. Defensively, however, senior Mehki Kirkland and junior Zion Essington have a chance to be a powerful 1-2 punch on the defensive line.

Kirkland has the physical tools to cause problems for any opponent, and Essington's motor results in relentless pressure. It's advantageous to have two pass rushers that can get in the backfield, especially for a Stroudsburg defense with a number of veterans returning in the secondary.

The defensive duo are arguably the best pass rushers on the mountain, but they also have a chance to establish their names in the EPC. Should they reach that potential, Stroudsburg's defense would be dangerous for any opponent.

This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: One question for each Pocono football team to answer ahead of the season