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The Glenelg High football team has accidentally been building towards the 2009 season.

Injuries, shallow rosters and rough seasons plagued the Gladiators for the past two years, resulting in a 4-6 2008 campaign where a hefty amount of sophomores were thrown in the action.

Now Glenelg has an ironman group of seven starters back, and all are looking to have to swing double-duty.

Shannon Maura, a 5-foot-7, 175-pound senior, was one of the emotional leaders of the team last year. He'll start at running back and defensive back.

Junior Gage Trawick (6-1, 190) is growing into his leader status, as he returns at quarterback. He'll also be part of the defensive backfield. Junior Colin Osborne (5-9, 180) was one of the quicker impact sophomores of last year. This year, he returns as a starting running back and defensive back.

The line will have two key veteran anchors in senior Nathan Coe (6-0,

270) and junior Nick Hoyt (5-11, 250). Senior Robbie Sheklelski (6-0, 200) will also start on the offensive side of the line, but will be a linebacker on defense. Senior Kyle Emanuel (6-1, 250) and junior Willy Dehlase (6-0, 270) will start on the line.

"We should be improved from last year," head coach Butch Schaffer said.

The Gladiators have some size in their receiving corps with seniors Jay Diamond (6-0, 200) Jimmy Zito (5-9, 175) and Scott Wheeler (5-9, 180). Wheeler is also slated to play linebacker on defense.

One change that's really more cosmetic than anything is that Glenelg is reclassified as a Class 2A school this year. Schaffer is unconcerned about the change.

"Going from 1A to 2A means nothing to us. Zero," Schaffer said. "We still play the same [Howard] county schedule that we always play."