HOMETOWN - The margin between a 5-5 football team and one that finishes 8-3 can be slim.
An injury here, a turnover there could be the difference between a trip to the postseason or packing up the equipment Monday, Nov. 4.
Coach Stan Dakosty and his Marian program have experienced both sides of that thin line over the past two seasons.
With 11 senior leaders graduating last year, including a three-year starter at quarterback in Corey Quick, a solid back in Dylan Quirk and most of its offensive and defensive fronts, that margin for error becomes even more magnified for the Colts in 2013.
"We graduated 11 seniors last year, and every one of them contributed," Dakosty said. "That's why we were 8-3. Offense, defense and special teams. That doesn't happen an awful lot where you get a class where every player played a major role. And, they did.
"That's really a challenge now - is to match that, not only our seniors but all the other classes. We lost some real good football players as evidenced by our record."
During the course of his 37-year stint in Hometown, Dakosty's Colts have produced 281 victories. That only happens when you have players that meet those challenges as Dakosty hopes this edition does.
Marian must have inexperienced athletes step into prime-time roles to duplicate or exceed last year's success, which culminated with a trip to the District 11 Class A playoffs.
The Colts will rely on seniors Lukas Damian (TE-LB), Sam Budusky (RB-LB) and Anthony Agosti (RB-DB) to take on those leadership roles.
"Our three senior leaders are Damian, Agosti and Budusky," Dakosty said. "We're going to kind of go off them. Playmaker-wise, if they're not the guys making the plays, they're the guys making the blocks. They're also in a position to be playmakers for us, offensively and defensively.
"We've got some young kids were counting on, but I think the older kids have got to really pave the way for them. Those three guys played every down last year."
Starting with the offensive and defensive lines, Marian must replace nine of the 10 full-time starters from 2012.
Junior Joe Damiano and senior Mike Follweiler, who is currently banged up but hoping to return for the season opener, started full-time last season on the offensive line.
Junior A.J. Wolk and sophomore Pete Dubravski started a few games apiece last season as well.
The Colts are looking for other players like seniors Riley McHugh and Michael McHale and juniors Chris Miller and Josh Ambruch to emerge on both sides of the ball.
"I kind of believe it all starts up front," Dakosty said. "I think we've got some really good athletes in this program. The athletes have to have space. Certainly, the linemen, that's their job - to create space for athletes. It doesn't have to be a dominating line, although we hope so. I'm certainly not saying our success hinges on it. I think we've gotta be confident. I think we have to be a solid line.
"I have total confidence in our linemen. I think they're ready to play well. That's a big key for us."
Marian has promise at the skill positions, although depth could be a concern should injuries occur.
Budusky is listed as the starter at fullback, while Agosti will be the No. 1 tailback. Sam Tomlin, who missed much of last season with an injury, and Chris Bruno will see time at tailback as well.
They'll likely line up behind either K.J. Snerr or Dean Richards at quarterback.
Whichever sophomore signal-caller wins the job will have a solid number of receivers to whom to throw, starting with seniors Frank Nietz and Josh Lex.
Other probable contributors include Chris Weber, Dom Mussoline, Michael Grega, Matt Karnish, Nico Agosti and Hunter Nause.
"We're as thin in certain positions as we've ever been in my time here, offensive line being one of them," Dakosty said. "And, that's a key. Our deepest position is our wide receivers - our slots and our Ys. At running back, we have depth, but we don't have great depth."
Defensively, the Colts will rely on many of the same players. Budusky and Damian will be the middle linebackers and the focal point of that D.
"Lukas Damian is our defensive leader, and Sam Budusky," Dakosty said. "Lukas was outstanding at linebacker last year. Sam had a very good season last year. He's had a great preseason. Our defense will center on those two."
Stephan Hall projects as the nose guard with Dubravski, Ambruch and Damiano at tackles. Nick Sully, Leo Skotek, McHugh and Wolk will play defensive end.
The secondary will include Lex, Tomlin, Nietz and Anthony Agosti.
"Look at our front-five defensively ... There's five guys now that are first-time varsity starters," Dakosty said. "We played some pretty good defense last year. Opportunity is there. I think these kids are ready to seize that opportunity. Certainly, that's going to be a key to our success."
The other keys to returning to the district playoffs?
"Health. Turnovers. No matter what your experience is, no matter how many starters come back, those are factors that, one you can't control, but certainly the other you can control," Dakosty said.
"Underline stay healthy, especially up front," Dakosty continued. "Be protective of the football. And, win the close ball games because I think there's going to be a lot of close ball games this year. There are going to be situations where it could go either way. I think you win the close ball games, you find yourself in the playoffs."