New might be an understatement for the 2010 edition of the Gettysburg Warriors.

They'll have new competition in a realigned Mid-Penn Colonial division.

Their house, Warrior Stadium, will have a fresh look with yellow goal posts and a maroon press box.

They have an intimidating new helmet logo - a big black "W" with a spear through it.

But most important, they have a new ringleader.

Raymond Gouker took the reins of the Warrior program from Sam Leedy, who stood at the Gettysburg High School helm for 26 years. The Warriors haven't fielded a winning team since 2007, when the squad went 12-2. Gouker is looking to change that this year.

In the huddle:
General Class: AAA

Enrollment: 836 (416 male)

Offense: Wing-T

Defense: Multiple

Coaching staff Coach: Raymond Gouker

Assistants: Skip Dudash, Bob Murren, Chad Deckert, Dave Laudeman, Robin Shah, Josh Sieg

Key players

  • Drew Myers, QB/DE - Sr.
  • Benttion Hendricks, QB/DB - Jr.
  • Zach Hill, RB/LB - Sr.
  • D.J. Johnson, RB/LB - Sr.
  • Kolton Wansel, OL/DL - Sr.
  • Carson Merine, WR/DB - Sr.
  • Austin Re, RB/LB - Sr.
  • Bill Ballesteros, WR/DB - Sr.
  • Chad Love, OL/DL - Sr.
  • Travis Martin, OL/DE - Jr.
  • Chase Whiteman, QB/DB - Jr.
  • Josh Havens, OL/DL - Jr.

    • Offense: A wing-T offense replaces Leedy's multiple look, but who will direct it remains to be seen.

    It will fall to either Chase Whiteman or Drew Myers to run the offense. Whiteman, a junior, finished the season as Gettysburg's starting quarterback last season, but Gouker has liked what he's seen from Myers, a senior.

    "What's going to happen is we're going to give both of them a fair shot," Gouker said. "I'm hoping that both of them excel, because we'd like to have two strong quarterbacks. In fact, I really think we have three."

    That's where Benttion Hendricks, a junior, comes in.

    Hendricks started last season as Leedy's starter but lost his job to Whiteman in the seventh week of the season. Gouker believes Hendricks can offer even more athleticism with his running ability.

    "You give him the ball, and he's like poetry in motion," Gouker said.

    At running back, seniors Zach Hill and D.J. Johnson are expected to provide the same 1-2 punch they did last season. Johnson, a burner, carried the ball 119 times for 606 yards and five touchdowns, while Hill, a bruising back, added 519 yards on 99 carries. Gouker expects the duo to give opposing coaches fits.

    "The thing about it is you look at Zach, and you look at D.J. Johnson, and if you have to defend both of those individuals, it's going to make each of them better," Gouker said.

    Defense: Gettysburg was outscored 238-104 last season. First-year defensive coordinator Bob Murren plans to utilize multiple sets, including five- and four-man fronts. The Warriors will also be much more opportunistic.

    "We're going to do lots of blitzing," Murren said.

    The Warriors graduated two of their top three tacklers from last season, linebackers Marshall Martin and Miles Sherman. Defensive end Travis Martin is back, as is Hill, who also plays linebacker. Senior Austin Re is back after contributing 44 tackles from the linebacker spot last season.

    Intangibles: The Warriors have already had to deal with the injury bug.

    Hill spent time in the hospital early into training camp with dehydration, while Re also has been banged up.

    "We have sophomores in there playing right now. I'm glad we have those sophomores," Gouker said. "They're good kids. I'm glad I'm going to have them for two more years."

    Verdict: Gettysburg will be improved, especially with three viable options at quarterback. Gettysburg's nonconference foes finished 21-13 last season. The Warriors' conference slate is much easier, as it features teams that combined for a 28-43 record.

    Tough shoes to fill

    Sam Leedy, head coach: Raymond Gouker brings a vastly different coaching style to a Warrior program that was run by the no-nonsense Leedy for 26 years. Leedy recorded a record of 184-95 in his time at Gettysburg, good for a .659 winning percentage.

    Two-minute drill

    Kolton Wansel, Offensive lineman/defensive lineman

    Which NFL player would you compare yourself to? Just any typical lineman you'd see in the NFL, just getting quick footwork down, getting blocks set and making holes for the running back to get through.

    Who's the one player on your team who you wouldn't want to face? Zach Hill. Even though he's a shorter guy, he's very strong and stout, and he can keep his ground very well. He likes to go 100 percent all the time.

    What's your favorite thing about playing in a season opener? The excitement of a brand new season, brand new everything, trying to see what we have together.

    What's your favorite technique to use on the field? I really like guard-trap.

    Do you have a nickname? Shredder. When I was younger I used to shred paper, so my family was like, "He's a shredder."

    Do you have any pregame superstitions? We just started a new one. We get together - we're trying to form a brotherhood with our new team - and we're trying to get everyone to hit a piece of tape before the game that says "Be Perfect."

    Related

    · 2009 preview: Warriors building team chemistry

    · York Daily Record 2009 Division I all-stars

    · York Daily Record 2009 Division II all-stars

    · York Daily Record 2009 Division III all-stars