If you’re a fan of offensive football, then the 2015 McMain Mustangs likely will be the team for you.

“I really believe if we stay healthy on offense that that side of the ball can be special,” Mustangs coach Kevin Roussell said. “We may get in some shootouts. I really believe if everyone can stay healthy that they can really do something on that side on the ball.”

Roussell has plenty of reason to be hopeful. In fact, he has 10 of them, as in the 10 offensive starters that the Mustangs return.

“Darnell Williams is the key to everything,” said Roussell, about his second-year quarterback. “This will be his second year playing quarterback for us. He did a great job last year. It all starts with him.”

Williams threw for more than 2,200 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior before breaking his collar bone in a first-round playoff loss at Port Allen. Williams is healthy again, and he may be the best athlete on his team after earning All-Metro receiver honors two years ago before converting to quarterback last season.

“You want your best athlete to have ball in his hands every time,” Roussell said. “He’s a dual-threat quarterback. He’s an outstanding athlete, so we’re able to do some different things with him. I’m excited about the offense.”

Senior receiver James Howard and junior Jamairyn Wallace combined for more than 100 receptions in 2014, so they expect to improve on those numbers this season. Both have been playing since the eighth-grade, so they also will serve as experienced team leaders this season.

The team’s lone offensive newcomer is on the offensive line, but senior William Jefferson (6-3, 270) and junior Dallas Black (6-1, 255) are three-year starters along with Jacobi Rhodes (6-1, 270) That experience should help junior running back Nicholas McCaskill (5-11, 195) find some more running room in 2015.

“We were a pass-happy team last year, so this year, we’re hoping to be a little more balanced,” he said. “We’ve got a very good offensive line returning and the one new starter Grerard Bruno has been impressive this summer. The offense is going to have to carry us early on.”

• McMain schedule
• District 9-3A previews, predictions and capsules

Defensively, the team lost two starters from last year due to academic and personal issues, so Roussell said he will miss their leadership and experience. Because of those losses, the Mustangs will return only five starters on defense.

Three-year starter and all-district linebacker Oscar Oliney (5-11, 205) led the team in tackles last season and will be the anchor of that unit. Junior sack leader Najee Gordon (6-2, 205) returns as well. Junior Colby Richardson (6-1, 180) was a receiver last season but moves to defensive back due to the depth at receiver.

“We have so much depth at the receiver position that we thought he could really help us defensively,” Roussell said. “I’m thinking that we can be pretty good in the secondary.”

Junior free safety Kendrick Foster (5-11, 180) will help round out the secondary.

“After my top 22 guys, we’re a little inexperienced, so I’m hoping that we can stay healthy,” Roussell said. “We’re hoping that we can get through pre-district healthy. We don’t need anyone to get hurt because right now we have about 40 kids. This is probably the lowest number that I’ve had since I’ve been here.”

The Mustangs will be tested early with pre-district games against Newman, Cox and Easton before heading into District 9-3A play that includes contests against De La Salle, Lutcher, St. James and Lusher. Roussell said the tough schedule will be a good test.

“We’re going to compete,” he said. “This district is going to be tough, but we’re going to go out there and compete. We have a tough pre-district schedule, so we’ll be tested, but we’re going to compete no matter what. If we stay healthy, I think we’ll be in pretty good shape.”