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WEST PRAIRIE CYCLONES

Nevermind the fact that the Cyclones were winless in 2011. The transition to a new coach coupled with a plague of untimely injuries would hamper any team; luck was not a significant part of West Prairie's season. The team has accepted Coach Roy Gully's challenge of 'taking the next step' in 2012, and you'd be hard-pressed to find any negative attitudes from his camp. With a year in Sciota under his belt, Gully can continue to mend the Cyclone program with his option-based offense. Even better, senior leadership will help guide the team on the field while Gully gets it done from the sideline.

The strengths of this team figure to mesh well if the players can execute and continue to learn as the season progresses. With returners on both lines, both the offensive backfield and talented linebacker core should see a lighter workload. Senior Nathen Beasley is absolutely the motor that drives the team on defense - he's out to teach the younger guys a thing or two while punishing opposing offenses in the process. Cody Jones should provide a spark as well - the transfer from North Fulton seemed to communicate well with Beasley, forming a stout wall behind the defensive line. One of the tallest players on the team, Jones is a natural athlete who will double at fullback, and could really do some damage if he breaks away into the second level.

Offensive strengths are dependent upon how West Prairie's quarterback can lead the charge - and right now, the position is empty. Senior Austin Moore has the wheels necessary to make an option offense tick; he was the Cyclones leading rusher in 2011. He's competing for the starting job with junior Ryan Wrenn, who possesses the more effective arm of the two. The right choice for the starting job will make itself more evident as practices wear on, leaving Gully the luxury of utilizing the backup QB in another position.

Perhaps the biggest question mark facing this group will be execution. Can this team make the plays? Avoid turnovers? Prevent the big play on defense? There's no reason to doubt them - there's plenty of time to sharpen up before Week 1. And with each player commenting on the added cohesion of this year's team in comparison to 2011, you would expect a lot of energy and communication between snaps. They're not expecting to dominate the Lincoln Trail Conference in 2012, but the Cyclones do hope to be a more imposing force to their conference foes this year.

Roy Gully has the wheels in motion and a host of young athletes who want to change the direction of West Prairie football. The Cyclones have matched the effort of every other area team in the offseason, and with Gully at the helm, its very possible the win column will reflect some serious change.