With the 2015 football season set to kickoff this Friday, Whitehall will look to get off to a fast start, something head coach Brian Gilbert believes is a key to their success.

The Zephyrs open at home against Pocono Mountain West. Last year the Panthers finished 1-9, and were 1-7 in the EPC North. Their lone win came last year in week six over William Allen.

The Panthers return a few starters, including RB/MLB J. Simon, who’s been getting some interest from Division I schools, according to Gilbert. At 6-1 and 216 lbs., the junior tailback is powerful enough to run inside and break tackles, while also possessing enough breakaway speed to reach the edge and take it the distance any time he gets the ball.

Gilbert said that Simon will be the focal point of their offense, someone they’ll have to keep in check throughout the game.

Additionally, senior Mike Smith played last year under center but he’s being challenged at the quarterback spot by sophomore Dylan Dellavalle.

Gilbert isn’t sure which one will get the nod in the opener, but believes Dellavalle will probably be the starting QB on Friday night.

He said the Panthers will line-up primarily in a Pro I formation with their quarterback under center.

That way they can be more effective running the ball as they’ll look to create openings up front for Simon.

He also said they’ll look to attack Whitehall with some screens, once again utilizing their O-line to spearhead their offense.

“They’ll try to be very physical up front,” said Gilbert.

However, depth will be a problem for PMW as they currently have 49 players on their roster, some of whom are injured and won’t be available for the opener.

They’re led by Jim McCarroll who’s in his 14th year.

Gilbert knows they’ll be looking to knock off the Zephs who are a young team that’s playing a lot of inexperienced varsity players.

“They’ll be ready for us,” Gilbert said. “They’re going to know we’re a young team and they’re going to try and get on us early.”

Gilbert said that while their neighbors to the north are part of the EPC, they are still somewhat of a mystery in regards to personnel.

The little he’s seen of them has been from their two scrimmages this season when they hooked up with Palisades and Northampton.

“We really don’t know much about them,” he said.

Gilbert said that it will be hot for the opener and that may work to their advantage since this season they’ll feature a lot more one-way players than they have in the past.

That will lessen the fatigue factor and keep more players fresh throughout the entire game.

Leading the Zephs in their new campaign will be senior quarterback Gianni Sinatore.

He’ll be working with a whole new set of skill players, but the goal remains the same.

Gilbert said that they want to get off to a fast start and keep the pressure on the Panthers with their up-tempo style.

“We’re going to try and wear them out,” said Gilbert. “I feel confident in substituting a lot of different players.”