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Former NFL cornerback Andre Dyson continues his quest to bring Clearfield back to the prominence the Falcons experienced when he attended school there.

There's much more reason for optimism this year, Dyson's fourth, based upon the end of the last campaign.

Coming off a winless 2015 season, Clearfield started 2016 with seven straight losses. But the Falcons then edged Cottonwood in overtime, lost to Mountain Crest by a point and ultimately finished the year by pounding Northridge 37-7 in the final game on the schedule.

"We preached all year how we can play. I told them, 'You could have done this all year,'" Dyson said. "It gives you something to build on. It's a lot better than trying to find positives in a loss."

Dyson feels good about most areas surrounding his team, but he is concerned about how the Falcons' offensive line will hold up.

"We have bodies, we have guys. It's just a matter of who's going to step up," he said. "If the line comes around like we hope it does, we can compete with anybody on our schedule."

Behind center • Perhaps the most experience on the team is at quarterback, where senior Jaxon Mansfield (5 foot 10, 155 pounds) will take snaps for a third season. Mansfield started a few games as a sophomore then all of last year for the Falcons. His throwing (1,650 yards) and running (301 yards) will be complemented by small but powerful senior rusher Isaiah Belford (5-8, 170), who carried the ball 92 times for 376 yards, as well as junior running back Ethan Jones (6-1, 190).

Ball hawks • Colton Manning (6-1, 185) led Clearfield with 700 yards receiving as a junior, and he'll be joined as a top target by fellow senior Devon Poll (6-0, 190) from a tight end position. Defensively, Mansfield will try to thwart pass attempts from his free safety position, where he made two interceptions a year ago. Mason Moeai (5-9, 170), a strong safety who moves to linebacker this year, also has the ability to go after the ball — along with senior cornerback Orion Santiago (5-7, 145) and senior Yo Finlinson (5-11, 150), a defensive back who Dyson expects to play more corner this year.

In the trenches • Senior Andrew Skipps (5-9, 265), whose playing time on the varsity was sparse last year, will line up as a defensive takle and also help on the offensive line. Another senior, Colton Kirkman (6-0, 190), also will get his shot at being an impact player at defensive end. Burly Ben Brakey (5-11, 220) also is likely to get regular playing time at defensive tackle, but most of his contributions will come from the center position on the offensive line.

Hit men • Manning also led Clearfield in tackles (55) last season, and he'll get help wrapping up ballcarriers from senior middle linebacker Anthony Surles (5-7, 160). "He's a smart guy, but a feisty kid," Dyson said about Surles, who made 18 solo stops in 2016. Jones is expected to contribute as a stopper from a safety position after being a junior varsity player a year ago.

Key returners • Jaxon Mansfield, Sr. (QB/FS); Colton Manning, Sr. (WR/DE); Isaiah Belford, Sr. (RB)

Key losses • Kenny Sanchez, RB/S; Jake Drake, QB; Alec Fredricks, OG/OLB

The next wave • Ethan Jones, Jr. (RB/S); Colton Kirkman, Sr. (DE); Ben Brakey, Sr. (C/DT)

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Clearfield Falcons

Coach • Andre Dyson, fourth year

Last season • 2-9, 1-6 in Region 1

Past championship •: 1992

2017 schedule

Aug. 18 • at Hunter, 7 p.m.

Aug. 25 • Cottonwood, 7 p.m.

Sept. 1 • Weber, 7 p.m.

Sept. 8 • at Davis, 7 p.m.

Sept. 15 • Northridge, 7 p.m.

Sept. 22 • at Layton, 7 p.m.

Sept. 29 • at Box Elder, 7 p.m.

Oct. 6 • Syracuse, 7 p.m.

Oct. 13 • at Fremont, 7 p.m.

Oct. 18 (Wed) • Bountiful, 7 p.m.