Grand Lake has an explosive trio in the backfield that combined for more than 3,000 yards and 37 touchdowns in 2022.

They just need to combine it with the right offensive line to continue the string of postseason success. The Hornets have won at least one playoff game in four consecutive seasons, reaching the regional round last fall.

“I have seen this over the years,” Grand Lake head coach Jeff Wainwright said. “When you have a great offensive line, they can carry you a long way. It takes both.

“You have to have great backs to make a run in the playoffs. I feel like we have the backfield speed and experience where we can have those explosive plays to put people in a bind. I really think the outcome of this team will lay in the hands of the offensive line, if they can get it together.”

Juniors Wyatt Wilkerson and Zayne Armentor return on the right side of the offensive line and will be joined by seniors Connor Miano and Cass Verzywvelt and junior Tyson Smith.

“It is truly about the development of the offensive line, and I think you will see the growth of that,” Wainwright said. “We may score 14 or 20 points the first two or three games, then all of the sudden, bang, you are going to see us scoring 30 or 40 points.

“It is definitely not gong to be a change in the backs, it is going to be the offensive line figuring things out and learning how to communicate. Things get a lot harder when you forget to communicate, and you end up taking a wrong step and somebody gets hit in the backfield and somebody has to punt the ball.

Wilkerson will continue to play nearly every snap on both sides of the ball until the Hornets can develop much-needed depth.

“I have to find a way to get him some rest, so he can play fast,” Wainwright said. “If we have kids that develop more on defense, then maybe we will sub him a little on defense.

“If we get kids that develop on the offensive line, then maybe I can sub him out a little bit on the offensive line. We just have to get some depth. Last year just wore him out, playing both sides of the ball. We ask him to do a lot and he gives a lot.”

Ian Vigo ran for 1,741 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2022, while Brent Hardesty and Brycen Guillory each topped 700 yards.

Kaden Taylor takes over at quarterback for graduated two-year starter Connor Guillotte, but is not lacking experience.

The Hornets return six on the defensive side in linemen Wilkerson and Kannan Bridges, linebackers Ezra Fontenot and Taylor, plus Hardesty and Guillory in the secondary.

“We have several players with experience,” Wainwright said. “Kaden (Taylor) has been out there since he was a freshman, and Brycen Guillory has been out there since he was a freshman. Ezra Fontenot played linebacker last year and he is coming back ask a junior.

“On the d-line, we have Wilkerson who is coming back. Last year as a sophomore, he ran the defense for us. He made the calls and is our quarterback on the defense. We are hoping he has a good year, and all signs are that he will.

“Other than that, we have two or three defensive linemen that we have to plug in. We have a young kid, Charles McFarland, that is going to play at-will linebacker. He has to step up. He played a lot as a freshman, probably more than most freshmen get to play. Charles is an exceptional athlete. But there is a difference between being a role player and taking somebody’s spot every now and then, and then the guy we are counting on. We are hoping he can run with his assignment.”

The Hornets will get a boost on both sides of the ball with the return of defensive back/running back Kealan Bell, who missed all of last season after suffering a season-ending injury in the preseason.