The Morgan Academy football team hit the field Monday for its first spring practice with an even balance of holes and experience.

Head coach Brian King said the team will have a few skill positions to fill at quarterback and in the defensive backfield.

‘We lost some key players at those positions and we’ll have to find replacements,” he said. “We’ll have open tryouts for quarterback and see who is the best fit.”

The offensive line, which will be anchored by left tackle Hunter Rogers, also returns Brodie Keel and Cobb Bostick. They will lead the way for returning running backs Parker Hughes and McCain Levins.

Returning offensive starters should take some of the pressure off the rookie quarterback, King said.

No matter who the quarterback is, King said the scheme will remain similar to the versatile attack used by the 2010 Senators.

“We’ll spread it out some and also move into the I-formation,” he said. “We like to be able to move people out on the edge, but it’s also important that we be able to line up behind the line and pound it in there.”

Defensively, the Senators will run a split-four scheme will all four linebackers and most of the defensive line returning. The defense will be anchored by Ethan Fancher and Dylan Stewart, who ranked No.1 and 2 in tackles last season.

“It’s going to be important to have that experience returning for their leadership,” he said. “We’ll have a few people to replace on defense, but we are in good shape at linebacker.”

The Senators, King said, expect 34 varsity players when the entire team is available. However, they will begin the spring without nine players who are competing with the baseball team. Though the players will not be able to participate in contact drills, King said they will get some work.

“They’ll be able to come out for some of the walk through when we are putting plays in, but that’s about it,” he said. “We don’t want to risk any injury to them because the baseball team is doing so well.”

The varsity will practice for three weeks, King said, before a May 13 inter squad scrimmage is held.