FARMER'S KORNER — The Tigers are ready.

Never mind that they could have up to seven underclassmen starting on both sides of the ball, or even that they have to start the season seven days sooner than usual with a “Zero Week” game.

None of it matters, because regardless of the obstacles the Summit High football team has faced in getting ready for tonight's opener, head coach Dylan Hollingsworth feels his team's as prepared as it has ever been.

The reason? In one word: commitment.

“We had more buy-in in the offseason than we have had since I've been here,” he said. “The kids have put in the effort, and it's showing.”

And Hollingsworth is hoping it shows tonight, when the Tigers host Salida at Climax Molybdenum Field at Tiger Stadium at 7.

The coach — along with his team — expect some pretty big things this season despite an inexperienced roster. Tonight's game could be the start of that.

“We have got to find a way to come out of the gates hot,” Hollingsworth said. “We have to find a way to win the first three games or so, because that will help build confidence. I think it's imperative we do that.”

Summit had an up-and-down season in 2009, finishing with a winning record but out of the playoffs.

This season, the goal on everyone's mind is to make the playoffs — a tough task in a league that should be solid from top to bottom.

“I think we look better in some places, and we'll definitely be better than last year,” said senior tailback and captain Michael Daigle, the team's returning leader in nearly every offensive category. “The team chemistry is much better, and that'll make the difference.”

Hollingsworth credits a lot of that to the solid leadership his four captains — Daigle, Cody Holland, Matt Muramota and Trevor Barton — have displayed.

“Last year, we had some kids that tried to lead, but the team was kind of fractioned,” he said. “This year's team seems much more team-oriented. I think buying into the offseason was a big part of that. As a coaching staff, we have to make them buy into that it's not about them, it's about the team.”

And as a team, the Tigers have a plethora of depth at each spot on the field.

Hollingsworth said the offense should be similar to that of the past few seasons in that the Tigers will look to have a balanced attack on the ground and through the air.

“Our offensive line is coming along nicely, and they'll allow us to do that,” he said.

Junior Jason Loobey will start tonight's game under center, and Hollingsworth said that Loobey — who served in the backup role a year ago — will be left with the task of managing the game and not making mistakes that can cost the offense chances to score.

Tailback may be the position most critical to the team's success. With a three-headed attack lead by Daigle, an all-purpose back with a lot of speed and some nifty footwork, the team can mix it up through their different formations, electing to pound it inside or spread the defense out of the shotgun. Senior Dylan Horan and junior Mitchell Hawkins will share the carries with Daigle.

On defense, the Tigers are going to look a little different — and not only because of the players in the lineup.

Defensive coordinator Jim Smith has shaken up the Summit attack to make it, well, attack more. Everything this season, Hollingsworth said, will be about aggressiveness on defense.

“We want to come out and force turnovers and force teams into making mistakes,” Hollingsworth said. “With the defense in the past, we've been doing more reads, and this year, we're going to attack more. Coach Smith, the way he's come up with his blitz packages and things, it will allow us to go after teams. Instead of sitting back and reading and reacting, we'll be going after teams.”

Holland, a returning starter at middle linebacker, likes the shakeup, and he feels his team will be much better because of it.

“It's actually a lot easier to pick up (than last year's), and I think it's much more solid,” he said, adding that the team's run defense will likely be its biggest strength.

And Barton, who will anchor both the offensive and defensive lines, said a change in the coaching staff has helped the Tigers — particularly the younger ones — get ready to run the various plays much quicker this season.

The Tigers have 11 coaches on their staff — many of them volunteers — making each one of them able to give more time to specific positions. One coach works with the corners, another with safeties, and another with linebackers and linemen. There's a quarterback coach, a fullback coach, a tailback coach and an offensive line coach.

It's a luxury Hollingsworth has never worked with in preparing for a season.

“I'm so happy about the coaching staff; it's a great, terrific coaching staff.” Hollingsworth said.

Now, with all the work the Tigers have put in — from last November through Thursday — it's time to see what the results will be.

Hollingsworth expects Salida to be a tough, experienced team after returning many of its starters from last year.

His team expects Salida to provide a good start to the season.

“They're going to bring it, but we're going to bring it too,” Holland said.

“We don't have any room to slack off. We have to be ready right away,” Barton added. “And we're ready to bang heads.”

Bryce Evans can be reached at (970) 668-4634 or at bevans@summitdaily.com.