As the Zephyr football team heads into the 2013 season, they'll have an early test to see where they stand right out of the chute.

They'll be facing Spring-Ford High School once again to kick off the year, a tough nonconference opponent who went 12-3 last year before being bounced out of the PIAA AAAA playoffs by Coatesville High School in the second round.

Whitehall head coach Brian Gilbert said that the Zephs will start senior Jeff Charles under center, while junior Chad Rex will also feature prominently at the position.

In last Thursday's tuneup against Quakertown High School, the Zephs emerged from the scrimmage with a number of positives, said Gilbert. First, they reeled off a few big plays on offense, with running backs Ryan Bonshak and Saquon Barkley supplying the burst. They also didn't allow the Panthers a first down in the opening quarter.

However, the team still has to work on some areas said Gilbert, notably tackling and their passing game.

He said he's looking for more consistency in the passing game, while the defense needs to get to the ball en masse. In fact, Gilbert believes that's one of the keys to prevailing against the Rams on Friday.

"If we don't gang tackle and run to the ball and swarm on defense, they're going to make some big plays," said Gilbert. "We have to make sure we get to the ball."

Gilbert was also encouraged by their offensive line play, opening wide lanes for Bonshak and Barkley.

"I thought our varsity line continued to improve," he said.

The Zephs will be looking to avenge last year's 31-20 loss to the Rams. That won't be an easy task since the Rams are once again ranked among the top 60 AAAA schools in the state. Much of that muscle lies at their skill positions.

Gilbert said they feature back Jarred Jones who has been a force since his sophomore yea Jones, who's listed at 5-11, 195, made an impact last year despite missing six games with a broken wrist, rushing for 980 yards and 10 touchdowns. In 2011 the senior ran for 1,455 yards, scoring 16 touchdowns. They'll also hit their opponents with Tate Carter, a phenomenal two-way player who wreaks havoc in the secondary as well as at receiver. Carter had 1,540 all-purpose yards last year. He will also line up under center.

If the Zephs are to prevail, Gilbert said that they'll need to control the time of possession as well as win the turnover battle.

"We really need to hold onto the ball and keep their athletes off the field," said Gilbe. "That will be the keys for us."

Thursday's scrimmage also provided a glimpse into the future. Gilbert said that a number of junior varsity players stood out, including Gianni Sinatore, Ronny Okungu and Pablo Peralta.

Okungu, a running back. "looked very good," said Gilbert who watched the underclassmen get some game action against the Panthers. Peralta, a tight end and linebacker also impressed.

"He made some really good plays," said Gilbert.

Sinatore showed good command of the offense in his stint as the signal caller. Gilbert said the sophomore looked good in his time guiding the offense.

"He managed the offense well," Gilbert said.