Outlook: defense

Coach Andrew Mooney believes this group could be special, and with seven returning starters, he may very well be right. Richardson is the lone two-way starter and will line up in a veteran D-line also featuring promising junior Manni Malone at end. The LB corps will be active, and having good-sized CBs, as the Lions will have with 5-11 Josh Peroni and 6-2 Trent Szmania, is always an asset. At their best, the defense made key plays when needed during a 5-0 start in 2015 and held a potent Ursuline squad to 14 points in the playoffs. They will be tested in the NCL Blue, but the cohesion with so many returnees knowing their roles in an athletic, capable defense cannot be understated and should serve the Lions well.