Amherst football looks to crack .500 mark After missing out on the WIAA playoffs last year, the Amherst High football team is hoping to be among the top half of the Central Wisconsin Conference's large division. The Falcons have several key returnees, including junior quarterback Matt Mehne, who suffered a season-ending injury last year. "We're looking at doing well in the conference, hopefully .500 or better. If we can stay healthy, we can give a good showing every Friday night," Amherst coach Jerry Carlson said. In the conference, "Wittenberg-Birnamwood, Manawa and Bonduel will be the teams to beat. Pacelli is an unknown to me," Carlson said, adding that the Cardinals could be in the top group. "If we stay healthy and have good nights, we can play with these guys." Carlson stresses the team's health because losing one player to injury would open two holes. Ten of Amherst's 11 starters will play on both sides of the football. Amherst opens its season Friday at Wild Rose. Here's a look at the Falcons position by position: Quarterback Junior Matt Mehne is back after starting all but three games for the Falcons last year, when his season ended with a broken leg. "He's beyond where he left off last year. He's improved a lot," Carlson said. "At the time of the injury, he was near the top or at the top of all statistics in the conference." Senior Nate Peplinski, who filled in for Mehne at the end of last season, is Amherst's backup quarterback. Running back Junior halfback Derek Konkol gets the starting job after his brother, Paul, graduated. "Derek has speed, agility and quickness. We're looking at him picking up where his brother, Paul, left off last year," Carlson said. Junior Sam Allen returns as the starting fullback. "He's a hard-nosed kid," Carlson said. Junior Chris Blenker is the backup at both positions. Wide receiver Senior Dusty Stuczynski moves over to the slot receiver position after playing at split end a year ago. "He has nice hands, nice speed - he's a deep threat," Carlson said. Seniors Jacob Mangen and Willie Hill will share time at split end while seniors Adam Kinney and Josh Thompson will alternate at tight end. Offensive line Senior Mark Jakubek is a second-year starter at tackle. Junior Rory Quinn, who Carlson said has come a long way, will start at the other tackle. Junior Pat Polster will start at center, and senior guard Justin Pacocha started on the defensive line a year ago and junior guard Ben Ostrowski alternated on the offensive line last year. Defensive line Jakubek, Quinn, Polster, Pacocha and Ostrowski will see time on the defensive line. "A lot of them saw experience at the varsity level last year. I'm looking forward to the juniors playing like seniors, not juniors," Carlson said. Linebacker Allen will start at middle linebacker after starting at the outside spots as a freshman and sophomore seasons. Kinney and Blenker will hold the outside spots. "Sam's the one who will be calling the defensive plays," Carlson said. "In the conference, teams are more prone to run than pass. Our linebackers have to keep our secondary from making tackles." Defensive backs Konkol and Mehne are Amherst's starting cornerbacks. Peplinski, Stuczynski and Hill will split time as safeties. "Our team quickness should improve our secondary coverage from last year," Carlson said. Special teams Kinney will kickoff and will also handle placekicking duties. The team hasn't determined its punter yet, Carlson said. Konkol and Peplinski will return kicks and punts.