The first day of fall sports practices has arrived, and the El Dorado High School football team jumped right into it with two practice sessions Monday on the practice field at the EHS campus.

Wildcat head coach Bruce Graber and his staff welcomed 60 players to the first day of practice, including 14 seniors, 12 juniors, 14 sophomores and 20 freshmen, with a few more scheduled to join them once their physicals are complete. El Dorado has 18 letter-winners returning, including seven starters on each side of the ball.

Last year, the Wildcats went 3-7 overall but qualified for the Class 4A playoffs, losing in the first  round at #3-ranked Topeka Hayden, 32-13. On the downside, they went 0-5 in league play for the second straight year. The expectations will likely be higher with all the experience the team is returning.

“Our success this year won’t depend on one or two players,” Graber said after Monday’s first session. “It’s going to depend on 30 or 40. We believe we have enough talent to be competitive in the league this year. It’s just going to depend on our work ethic and our commitment as a team.”

The level of competition is always tough in Ark Valley Chisholm Trail Division III, and with Andover Central joining this year, it should be even tougher. Central moves to Division III while Rose Hill will be in Division IV.

Among the more familiar names for the Wildcats are running back Josh Scott, receivers Randy Johnson and Patrick Ward and linemen Tyler Barnes and Tyler Banion. Johnson also returns as the team’s punter. Christian Locke is among the candidates at quarterback to replace graduated senior Remington Rebstock. The Wildcats must also replace fullback/linebacker Brandon Craft and find a new placekicker.

“Right now, we have too many running backs and not enough linemen,” Graber said. “That’s going to change over the next few days. Some may get moved to the receiver slots, and others may get moved to the line. The decisions we make at these positions will affect other positions.”

Graber is quick to point out there’s only so much his team can do until Thursday, the first day the team can practice in pads.

“We’ve got most of our schemes set already from the camps we attended here and at Hutchinson,” Graber said. “It’s tougher for the kids who didn’t attend the camps because they’re starting cold, but the more experienced kids are getting caught up rather quickly. We can’t really completely get going until Thursday, though.”

The Wildcats are scheduled to have their first practice scrimmage Saturday. The Red & Black Scrimmage is scheduled to take place Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Galen Blackmore Stadium. The 2008 season opener is set for Sept. 5 at Clay Center.