Joining Leuthold in the middle of the offensive line will be seniors Pat Nelson, Dustin Bonnema and Jason Jansma, and sophomore Cody Scholten.
The 205-pound Nelson started at guard for H-BC-E last season, but he will move to the center position in 2002. Bonnema (180), Jansma (270) and Scholten (155) are projected guards.
Deutsch will play one end position on the offensive line, while seniors Kyle Sammons (155) and Robert Metzger (175) will see playing time on the other side of the line.
Contenders for the slot back position are seniors Tyson Metzger (155) and Clint Roozenboom (160), and sophomore Travis Broesder (150).
Other potential running backs on offense are junior Lee Jackson (120) and sophomore Zach Wysong (130).
"Since the other teams will be keying on Reid, we'll have to become a better passing team this year, and we do have some good receivers. We've got some kids who can catch the ball, and we'll be relying on them more and more as the season progresses," Ellingson said.
"My biggest concern is depth on the offensive line. We basically have a new line this year. Our starters will be inexperienced, and so will be the kids filling in for the starters."
The Patriots will be in better shape defensively, where four of nine starters are returning from the 2001 season.
Ellingson feels how the defense performs could be the key to H-BC-E's season.
"Our defense will have to keep us in a lot of games this year. Defense is where we have most of our experience, especially in the linebacking crew," he said.
"We can be big on the line when the situation demands it. I would not say we're extremely fast overall on defense, but we have a couple quick kids who will help us out in that area."
Having three returning starters at linebacker should prove to be the strength of H-BC-E's defense.
Reid and Leuthold will man the outside positions, while Schilling will play the middle position. Dusty Seachris, a 145-pound senior, will be asked to contribute as a linebacker as well.
Deutsch is another player returning as a starter with the defensive unit. He started on the line as an end last season, a position he will play again this year.
Other potential ends are Sammons and Robert Metzger.
Nelson, Jansma and Craig Gaul, a 250-pound junior, will play as defensive tackles on the line.
An area of concern for Ellingson on defense is the secondary, where the Patriots are thin on experience.
Reid did switch to the secondary when teams were in passing situations last season, but backs Tyson Metzger, Roozenboom, Wysong and Broesder will be playing in the secondary without experience most of the time.
"If I had a concern on defense, it would have to be with the defensive backs because they are all new. If teams pass against us, I hope it's in situations when we know they have to pass, because that makes it easier to defend," Ellingson said. "If we can stop the run and know a pass is coming, it will be a big advantage for our defensive backs."
Since the Patriots are in a rebuilding mode, Ellingson isnÕt setting outrageous goals for this team.
"This is a situation where we will have to take it one step at a time this season. We still need to learn what we can do on offense, and that will take some time. Instead of taking too big of a bite and saying weÕll do this or that right away, we have to take it one step at a time," he concluded.
The Patriots open the season by hosting Glenville-Emmons tomorrow in a non-conference game before beginning the defense of the SRC title with seven straight league tilts.