The Marian football team finished 9-3 last year but graduated a ton of key seniors. One of the guys that they didn't lose---running back Michael Whitfield.

The now senior will move into a new role this season as a team leader.

"It's a lot different," Whitfield explains. "Everyone knows we had a lot of seniors last year. Now I have to step up and being more vocal than I was last year. I'm excited to do it but then again I'm not really used to it."

Whitfield is one of the area's best players and is receiving Division I interest.

"He's fast and he's very elusive," Marian coach Reggie Glon explains. "Michael has put on some weight where he was minus a little bit on the inside run game, he's developed that. He's a dual threat running and catching the football."

The Knights open the season on August 17th at home against DeKalb.