With any luck, the Trojans could have seen their season extended at least to the championship game at Highmark Stadium.

“We lost three games by a total of four points,” Burkholder said. “Last-second stuff.”

Southwestern sure had its share of gut-punches, losing to nonleague Iroquois 22-21 in the season opener, falling the next week 14-13 to Salamanca and then, in Week 6, having a miraculous rally come up just short in a 27-25 loss at Fredonia.

Still, the Trojans ended up 4-2 in Class C South and knocked off Depew 26-21 in the sectional quarterfinal before losing to Fredonia in the semifinal to end their season.

Southwestern quarterback Jameson Walsh leans back for a throw during practice.

“That was huge for us as a program to overcome and still be a touchdown short of making it back to the stadium,” Burkholder said. “Overall, it was a good learning experience, that you can’t always be on top. It was a down year, but it was very beneficial for us.”

How so?

“We were probably 28 seconds away from being undefeated in the regular season,” Burkholder said.

KEY LOSSES: Well, it starts with Aidan Kennedy, the decorated quarterback, who has now taken his quarterbacking skills to Pace University.

“He’s a special talent, and just a great kid, a never-give-up type of kid, and that was extremely evident last year,” Burkholder said. “We’ve had a good track record of quarterbacks at Southwestern in terms of guys groomed for the position.”

Southwestern running back Matt Pannes gets ready for a drill during practice.

Kennedy, the Class C South Offensive Player of the Year and a Post-Journal/OBSERVER all-star, threw for 1,717 yards and 17 touchdowns, and rushed for 606 yards and 14 TDs. A first-team all-state defensive back, Kennedy was credited with 26 tackles and intercepted six passes.

“He’s a tough kid to replace,” Burkholder said.

Other key graduation losses include Donte Hoose, a first-team Class C South defensive lineman; Jason Ni, a second-team wide receiver; and Max Marshall.

KEY RETURNEES: There are more than a few.

Seniors Matt Pannes, Cam Lemk, Paul Hayes and Mitch Pike, and junior Jameson Walsh are the headliners.

Running Backs, from left, are: Ryan Chapman, Bo Wendel, Matthew Strong-Butterfield, Matt Pannes, Matt Burlingame, Walker Perry.

Pannes, Lemk and Hayes were Class C South first-team all-stars a year ago, while Pike and Walsh were second-teamers.

“In general, for all these guys, they’ve had opportunity to play a lot of games,” Burkholder said. ” … Most of the guys came up as freshmen (for the playoffs). Just their experience, and they’re a good group of kids, smart kids, hard-working kids, and they show up for stuff.”

Pannes is a multiple threat on offense; Pike and Hayes provide strength on the line; Lemk was a revelation at tight end last season; and Walsh, the No. 1 quarterback entering this season, is also a talent running the ball.

Junior Neves Hoose returns and is one of the area’s top place-kickers.

OUTLOOK FOR CLASS C SOUTH: “It’s pretty wide open,” Burkholder said. “Our division is one of the stronger C divisions and that bodes well once we get out of our league.

Quarterbacks Jameson Walsh, left, and Owen Hayes.

“We lost to Salamanca and Fredonia (twice) last year as league games. Those are the ones we want to get back. They’re both typically strong teams.”

KEY GAME: To Burkholder, he belives it’s tomorrow’s season opener when the Trojans entertain Iroquois, which defeated Southwestern by a point in Week One in 2021.

“They’ll definitely be a good test,” he said. “They get to come to us this year, so that helps.”

Friday’s game will also be the first time the Trojans will face someone other than their own teammates as they didn’t have a preseason scrimmage.

“That will be our first look at live competition,” Burkholder said.

Receivers, front row, from left, are: Jacky Ni, Trent Casselman, Chevy Cornelius, AJ DeBose, Henry Marshall, Griffin Bogdanowicz. Back row, from left, are: Cameron Lemkz, Colton Holbrook, Gabe Tyger, Kenyan McBride, Brody Larson, Chris Miller, Declan Kennedy.

SENIORS: Colton Holbrook, Matt Pannes, Chris Miller, Matt Burlingame, Griff Bogdanowicz, Ryan Chapman, Cameron Lemk, Kahil Debose, Walker Perry, Paul Hayes, Will Hoden, Mitch Pike, Henry Marshall

JUNIORS: Jameson Walsh, Jacky Ni, Declan Kennedy, Bohdan Wendel, Matthew Strong-Butterfield, Will Pavlock, Peter Conley, Connor Johnson, Neves Hoose

SOPHOMORES: Gabe Tyger, Owen Hayes, Brody Larson, Kenyan McBride, Chevy Cornelius, Jarred Paul, Brock Eppinger, Andrew Drake, Gavin Milner, Cormac Popham, Trent Casselman

FRESHMEN: Tavio Hoose

Linemen, front row, from left, are: Jarred Paul, Will Pavlock, Tavio Hoose, Will Hoden, Cormac Popham, Andrew Drake. Back row, from left, are: Peter Conley, Cam Lemk, Chris Miller, Kenyan McBride, Connor Johnson, Brock Eppinger, Gavin Milner.