Osawatomie's Taylor Soucie goes up for a spike in the team's scrimmage Thursday afternoon. The volleyball team will have to wait until Sept 9 to begin the season at Spring Hill. They will then play Sept 11 at Baldwin.

The Pioneer League undefeated champion team, the Osawatomie Trojans, will kick off their season Friday at home against the Anderson County Bulldogs.

Last year when the two teams went head to head, it was an intense matchup. The Trojans had found themselves behind at the half 14-16 but fought their way back and finished the game with a thrilling 38-34 victory.

This season, the Trojans have lost some key starters, including last season’s starting running-back and leading rusher, Jameson Greenwood, to graduation. Not to mention losing their leading tackler, Andy French, when a recent heart problem side-lined him for his entire senior season. However, the Trojans also have returning seniors such as Seth Jones who will be valuable this season. The 1,000 yard passer in 2009 will once again man his post at the quarter-back position as he has the past two years.

Brandon Oakes will return to his spot as a slot back and receiver. This Jones/Oakes duo could prove to be very dangerous in 2010.

Aside from these returners, freshman Deven Ayres turned some heads at running back with two touchdowns in Friday night’s Red-White scrimmage. With all of these factors being said, Friday night’s home opener should be a close matchup where every inch matters and could set the tone for the rest of the season.