The preseason is almost over.
Friday night is the start of high school football season.
A time when everybody has high hopes of a division and even state title.
The Cardinals of Newark Valley graduated 11 seniors from a team that won the division and went to sectional last year.
Even with 5 returning starters, the team feels good about its chances to repeat.
It's returning the middle of it's offensive line, plus a couple of running backs with experience.
And senior quarterback Troy Schiess.
Newark Valley knows the pressure is on to have a season like last year.
"I think the expectations are high. I think, I know the kids expect to win this year and that's what our program is heading. It's heading into a winning direction and the kids know it, the fans know it and the coaches know it and we're headed in the right direction," says head coach Jack Short.
"I think expectations are still pretty high. I think we have a good team. We should be able to contend for the division and have a solid season throughout," Schiess says.
The Cardinals open the season Friday night, at Tioga.
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