Second-year coach John Troxell may no longer look like one of the youngest people walking the Franklin & Marshall sidelines this fall.

A roster dotted with 27 freshmen and several other newcomers will do that.

While that fact alone may not give the 35-year-old Troxell any gray hair, the fact that up to five of them are going to start on offense against Washington & Lee in this week's season opener might.

Especially when you consider they will start at key positions like tailback, fullback, wide receiver and left tackle.

"I'm not so concerned about their ability," said Troxell. "I'm more worried about them catching up with the speed of the game."

Perhaps easing some of Troxell's fears will be the return of record-setting starting quarterback Kyle Turner to run the show.

Turner threw for a school-record 2,171 yards in 2006 and led the Centennial Conference in total offense (258 yards per game) a year ago.

"I think he understands our offense better, and he's gotten better at situational football," said Troxell, of his signal-caller. "As a rookie last year, he felt like the world was on his shoulders, now he's got guys around him."

Turner threw 16 touchdown passes a season ago, but was also picked off 15 times.

"I messed up quite a bit," recalled Turner. "I just had to work through the mistakes I made. I think now I'm a little more mature."

Two of Turner's go-to guys this season will be Lancaster County products, both from Manheim Township. George Eager, who transferred in from Millersville, will join fellow former Blue Streak Jay Ridinger.

"They're both dynamite," Troxell said. "They can run, they can catch, and they can do it all. They're as good as it gets at this level."

That duo will couple with Paul Sousa to make up one of the best receiving corps in the conference. Last year. Sousa hauled in 48 passes for 801 yards and a TD.

The Eager-Ridinger tandem will give Turner many more options.

"It'll be interesting to see how well we can do with those guys in there," said Troxell. "I think George is a pretty special player. He's a difference-maker at this level. We're going to try to get the ball in his hands as much as we can."

When they don't, Turner will be handing it off to a group of young runners. Among them, tailbacks Ryan Murray and Lipton Thompson as well as fullbacks Lorenzo Daughtry-Chambers and Lewie Briggs.

Murray, a sophomore, is the only non-freshman in the group.

Despite the inexperience, Turner has confidence in those lining up behind him.

"They've been working hard, as has everybody," he said. "I think we're a little more focused than last year. The workout we did in the off season, you can really see it paying off."

Senior co-captain Brian Rice anchors a solid offensive line. Rice, a three-time All-CC selection at guard, has started all 32 games since he arrived in Lancaster.

Freshman Kiah Gidron has the all-important task of covering Turner's blind side as the starting left tackle.

The Diplomat defense will be led by the returning quartet of defensive end George Farrell, tackle Mickey Rehring and linebackers James Gregory and Zach Romash.

Romash and Gregory were the Diplomats' leading tacklers a year ago with 62 and 54, respectively.

Farrell, a senior co-captain this year, led the team in sacks, and Rehring added 26 tackles.

The Diplomats went 2-2 to open 2006 campaign, but lost five of the last six to finish 3-7.

"We're worlds ahead of where we were a year ago at this time," said Troxell. "I think this group has a lot to prove because of the disappointing season last year. I think they know they've worked harder this year than they ever have to put themselves in a better position to win."