WATONGA — Watonga lost only seven seniors from a team that went 7-4 and advanced to the postseason for the first time since 2000.

However, one of those players was Wayne Runnels, who was voted by coaches as the District 2A-1 player of the year after passing for 1,467 yards, scoring five touchdowns and intercepting 13 passes on defense.

Second-year head coach Shannon Grimes will be counting on Kale Goerke, who played slotback, wide receiver and outside linebacker, to fill Runnels’ shoes on offense and defense.

Goerke scored six touchdowns last season.

“He’s a very good athlete,’’ Grimes said.

Grimes is optimistic about the season with 14 players returning who started last year.

“We will be a more mature team this year and should have better depth,’’ he said. “We have been able to move some players to positions that better suit their talents and hope we can improve on last year’s finish.’’

Eight starters return from an offensive unit that averaged 28.9 points per game in Grimes’ spread offense last year.

They include center A.J. Brewer, a 265-pound senior; guard Brian Till, a 220-pound senior; tackle Quinton McGuire, a 190-pound senior; tackle Justin Sawyer, a 255-pound senior; wide receiver Corbin Nelson, a 150-pound sophomore; wide receiver Kurtis Shaw, a 170-pound senior; slotback Donnel Hayes, a 145-pound sophomore; and tight end Sherman Harris, a 190-pound senior.

Ethan Kennedy, a 185-pound junior linebacker, leads a defensive unit that returns six starters.

Watonga allowed 14.2 points per game in the regular season last year.

Kennedy was the team’s leading tackler last season from his inside linebacker spot. He’ll play some fullback as well.

Others back on defense include down linemen Brewer, McGuire, Sawyer and Julian Perez, a 230-pound junior, and Shaw.

Cameron Carter, who was injured at mid-season last season, is expected to make an impact both ways. He will play wide receiver and outside linebacker.

Watonga was the 2A-1 runner-up a year ago, going 5-2 in the district. The Eagles lost to Hennessey 26-24 and to Alva 33-28.

The Eagles fell to Heritage Hall 28-0 in the first round of the playoffs.

Grimes said Alva and Hennessey should be the teams to beat in the district this season.