Every player is expected to play a key role in the success of the Stratford Eagles football team this season.

“Everybody is a key player,’’ Stratford Head Coach Mark Farriba said. “We have some guys who are more high-profile than others, but it really doesn’t matter. We have 52 guys on the roster, and every one of them is important.”

The Eagles open the season on the road on Friday, Aug. 24 against Savannah Country Day.

Led by senior co-captains quarterback Christian Palmer and senior tackle and outside linebacker  McKinley Thompson, the Eagles will be looking to improve on last year’s 11-2 record, which included a trip to the state playoffs.

The Eagles have six returning starters and 32 returning lettermen, Coach Farriba said.

Other top seniors include receiver and safety Jamie O’Quinn, guard and middle linebacker Nick O’Neil, center and defensive lineman Trey Bumgardner, and tight end and defensive lineman Hughes Pinson.

The seniors selected “Whatever It Takes” as the team motto and are striving to work as a team instead of individually.

“We certainly are going be able to achieve more collectively than we could individually,’’ Coach Farriba said.