New is the theme this year at South Kitsap.

In addition to coach Gavin Kralik, who has installed his spread, no-huddle offense that regularly allowed his teams at Bethel and Texas’ Bay Area Christian to run more than 80 plays in a game, the Wolves’ home field at Kitsap Bank Stadium will feature artificial turf for the first time.

Once those novelties become familiar, the Wolves will try and rebound from last year’s 3-7 record, which marked their third losing ledger in the last five seasons. The schedule seems more favorable in their effort for a turnaround if only because it features five home games. But the Class 4A Narrows League only was allotted three playoff spots this season and South plays two of the teams that earned postseason berths, Gig Harbor and Olympia, on the road this year.

“I think, no question, Gig Harbor is the favorite,” Kralik said. “They’re a team that not only will compete for the league title again, but they can compete at a very high level at state.”

South will have to accomplish that without some key players for the Sept. 4 season-opener against Central Kitsap and the following week at Peninsula.

“We have a more stringent academic policy at South Kitsap than the state’s minimum standards,” Kralik said. “Four starters are going to be out as two-week people that normally would be eligible under [Washington Interscholastic Activities Association] rules.”

While those four players are expected to be eligible for the Sept. 18 league-opener at Olympia, Kralik said another projected starter did not meet the WIAA’s academic benchmark and will not be eligible for the first six weeks.

Kralik, who was hired March 30 to succeed Eric Canton, guided Bay Area Christian to the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools’ Division III state football championship game last year as his team produced 705 points in 14 games. He also had a 50-42 record from 2005-13 at Bethel. But to achieve sustained success with the Wolves, he knows the program cannot have academically ineligible players moving forward.

“It’s really disappointing,” Kralik said. “We are going in without five kids that we know would be big-time players for us. That’s something we have to change culturally going forward as a program.”

Quarterbacks

Jake Taylor was named the starting quarterback in late August. Taylor, who previously attended Peninsula and Gig Harbor, missed last season because of shoulder surgery. But the 6-foot-4, 206-pound senior became healthy in time for spring practices and beat out classmate Cole Craner.

“Jake’s got a phenomenal throwing ability,” Kralik said. “He’s just got a great gift there. His understanding of the offense and fundamentals have improved a ton. That to go with his great arm have kind of separated him at that position.”

Craner is entrenched as the backup with junior Jerrit Chenier, who saw some time last year, and sophomore Garrison Glisson battling for third-string. Kralik said he likes Chenier’s scrambling ability and Glisson’s athleticism and arm strength.

Running backs

The Wolves have not featured many primary backs during the last decade outside of Stephen Tucker (2007), Robert Issa (2009) and Marshaud DeWalt (2014). But Izaiah Davis might add his name to that list. And unlike the aforementioned names, he is only a sophomore.

“He’s come on really big-time this August,” Kralik said. “He’s just a tough, physical runner that is a guy who can catch the ball out of the backfield, as well. I think he’s going to be an outstanding player.”

Kralik emphasizes the word “complete” to his players. When it comes to running backs, that means being able to do their primary job, as well as block and catch. Kralik views Davis as a player who can help in all three areas.

While Davis could serve as the primary back, Kralik said seniors Casey Carter and Tanner Seaton should carry the ball and their classmates, defensive stalwarts Mikey Garcia and Logan Guerrero, could see time, as well.

Kralik also will use a two-back system at times with juniors JJ Leota, Thomas Miller and Hayden Willingham sharing time.

Wide receivers

South’s offense often will feature four-receiver sets and Kralik envisions using eight to 10 wideouts per game. The Wolves will feature speed and athleticism at their outside receiving slots as a pair of the school’s track stars, seniors Izaijha Byrd and Albert MacArthur, both are playing this season. Kralik said Byrd is more advanced with route running and comprehending the offense after MacArthur turned out late because of summer track obligations.

Freshmen Jackson Kambich and Dajshon Keel, sophomore Drew Kalilimoku and senior Jesse Strutz are others Kralik expects to vie for playing time at the outside spots.

At the inside positions, Kralik said Craner and Carter, along with seniors John Moses and Camden Pykonen and sophomore Quinn Ogan, are expected to see time this year. Ogan is the youngest player among that quintet, but has caught Kralik’s attention because he has developed into “a really dependable kid.”

Offensive line

Four members of the starting offensive line are juniors and Kralik is excited that they will be able to develop together with Davis. While several received playing time last year, Kralik said they still need to develop, particularly as pass blockers.

“I think they’re guys that can move people,” he said. “I think they’re coming on better in pass protection. We’re confident those kids can be physical in the running game and can develop as pass protectors.”

On the left side, junior Anthony Killingsworth will start at tackle, and Kralik thinks he eventually will pair with senior Daniel Ferguson, who might miss the opener with an undisclosed injury. If that occurs, Kralik said senior Erik Stanley could start next to junior center Jacob Miller.

Juniors Kenny Stafne and Jagher Beresheim are slated to start at right guard and tackle, respectively.

Kralik said he uses a combination of zone and gap blocking schemes with his system.

Defensive line

South will shift from a 3-4 to 4-3 base defense under Kralik. Former coach Eric Canton shifted to a 3-4 scheme partially because he felt there were a dearth of defensive line prospects, particularly on the interior, at the school. But Kralik believes one of his best players, senior defensive tackle Elijiah Griffin, fits that mold.

“He’s a phenomenal defensive tackle,” he said. “I think he’s a big-time player and I think he’s definitely going to play at the next level.”

Griffin will be paired with junior nose tackle Jarred Gregersen. Junior Nolan Van Amen, who won 4A state titles in the discus and shot put last spring, will play at one defensive end position and classmates Michael Major and Eli Wattree could see time at the other spot. Kralik prefers using players on one side of the ball, but said an offensive lineman also could vie for a starting spot.

“Jagher Beresheim is an outstanding defensive lineman,” he said. “He could really come in and produce at a high level if he’s in there.”

Kralik said depth concerns could force other offensive linemen into the rotation, as well.

Linebackers

It starts with Garcia, who will play middle linebacker and is expected to be a playmaker.

“He’s tough, he’s smart and he’s a leader,” Kralik said. “We feel like he can run really well. He’s a guy who can play the run really physically, but also be a huge disruptor in the passing game. He’s a complete player as an inside linebacker.”

Kralik said junior CJ Gill has earned one starting job at outside linebacker with his play, while seniors Anthony Morgan and Walter Shaw will contend at the other spot. Another senior, Garrett Smith, won’t play until midseason but Kralik believes he can make an impact at that point.

“We’re really excited about what he brings to the table as a linebacker and special teams kid,” he said.

Defensive backs

The Wolves surrendered at least 40 points in four contests last year, but Kralik likes what he sees from the starting secondary, particularly at safety. He describes Guerrero in a similar fashion as Garcia because both have the ability to be run stoppers and defend the pass. Guerrero will be joined by sophomore free safety Nathan Marin, who qualified for regionals in wrestling last winter at 145 pounds.

“We’re excited about him,” Kralik said of Marin. “He’s a very athletic kid that, I think, is getting better and better at technique and understanding the system every day.”

Senior Kadon Anderson will start at one cornerback with sophomore Jimmy Olmstead serving as his counterpart at least until veteran Miles Huff returns. Kralik said he expects Huff to miss the first two weeks.

Special teams

Some teams dedicate a player to kickoffs and use another for extra points and field goals. Kralik said there is no need for that at South.

“I think we’ve got a huge advantage with Nolan Souza,” he said. “I think we have the best kicker in the league — no question. He gives us a huge opportunity to change field position in the kickoff game. He’s a guy that we can really count on in place-kick situations.”

The punter position opened for the first time since 2011 with the graduation of Cooper Canton. Kralik said Craner and Souza were battling for that role.

As far as the return units are concerned, Kralik believes Davis “can help us there” and others, such as Byrd, Huff and Jacob Lewis, are expected to vie for roles in those areas when they return.