Although missing some key pieces from last year, the DeRidder Dragons will have a wealth of experience returning for the 2003 season.

It really jumps out at you on defense, where nine of the Dragons’ starters from a year ago will be back.

That has Dragons fans excited after going 6-4 last season, good enough for a Class 4A playoff appearance before losing to St. Martinville.

Among the returners are linebacker Kenias St. Roman, who’s getting long looks from some area colleges his senior season.

He’s one of those nine defensive starters from last year who’ll be back, including the entire front seven of the 3-4 alignment.

“We’re looking forward to the coming year,” veteran head coach Brad Parmley said. “There’s a good number of returning starters.”

The only defensive holes are in the secondary where DeMarco Watts and Austin Ventroy will step in as safeties behind returners Jatari Harris Rhodes and Kirkland Leblanc.

Xavier Watson, Dylon Rhodes and Tanner Lestage join St. Roman in the linebacking corps, while the front three returns intact with Jayden Aswell, K’veion Williams and Trey Bynum.

“It’s exciting to see this group grow and develop,” Parmley said.

The offense may be more a work in progress, especially missing the bulk of the running back with the loss of backs Ronnie Crosby (1,355 yards, 14 TDs) and Alex Archield (719 yards, 16 TDs).

That chore will fall mostly to Dylan Vines, who had just 125 yards on 26 carries last year while scoring twice.

The Dragons do get back quarterback Uriah Wade, who threw for 540 yards a year ago while running for another 138.

He’ll have returning receivers Semont Fairley, last year’s leader with 156 yards, with Javaughn Fairley joining him as a starter this year after registering 100 yards on just three catches last season.

Tight end Jacob Hernandez is also back.