After an incredible run to the 1A semifinals last fall, the Central A&M Raiders will have to bring along an inexperienced group of players if they want to repeat last year's performance.

Coach Brent Weakly knows there are some big shoes to fill but he also looks forward to some players that return to key roles.

According to Coach Weakly, having a group that is little on the inexperienced side changes how he approaches the summer workouts. He explains they, in a way, go back to the drawing board but at the same time, the tradition they've established helps them maintain high expectations.

As the season gets set to kick off this Friday night, Coach Weakly is getting dialing in on the little things that will make his team successful.

Coach Weakly says the Central Illinois Conference will be tough again in 2022. He sees Tuscola and Decatur St. Teresa as the frontrunners for the conference title but feels there are a lot of quality groups after those two that will make things a week-in-week-out challenge.

The Raiders open the season Friday night taking on LeRoy.