Losing 14 athletic seniors is a blow to any high school football team, but to small 2A Zion Chapel the void left is deeper than most.

The Rebels will likely open the season with no fewer than four freshmen on offense, and a few more on defense.

First-year head coach Bradley Bowers says that team will keep working everyday to overcome the lack of experience.

“Graduation has been tough on us the past couple of years,” Bowers said. “We have a good core of seniors, and a good core of very young guys. The big issue is we don’t have too many in the middle. Those ‘babies’ do grow up, and we will have some very veteran guys in a few seasons.

One of the hardest hit areas is the offensive line. The unit has spent the majority of the early fall working in Alex McCown, Dalton Dean and Sheldon Hudson, all underclassmen.

Kory Wise is the lone senior of the group and says he has taken on a leadership role with the younger players.

“Being a little older than the rest of them, I have more experience,” Wise said. “I can help them get things quicker because I have been there. We all are working together to win.”

Zion Chapel meets Wicksburg in a pre-season game Aug. 23 at Greene Memorial Stadium in Jack.

The Rebels will open the regular season on the road at G.W. Long in Skipperville Aug. 30.

Kickoff for both games is set for 7 p.m.