Numbers can be significant but also misleading at the same time.
All prep football coaches would prefer "the more the merrier," because it helps in practice to prepare for Friday night (or occasionally Saturday) games in the fall.
It's also nice to have depth in case a player gets injured.
Really, though, all you need is 11 - 11 good football players to have a successful season. That's all you need to line up and start a game.
For years, former Parkersburg Catholic head football coach Danny Tennant never had the luxury of more than 20-25 players on the roster. But year-in and year-out, the Crusaders invariably advanced and competed in the W.Va. Class A playoffs at the end of the season.
Good coaching and good players, that's what it took. That, and the players being in terrific shape.
Sometimes less can be more, and if it is, players had better be able to go the distance of at least a 10-game season.
All it takes is quality time in the weight room, conditioning, and lots and lots of hard work.
Not counting the freshmen, Marietta High is expected to have at least 38 players on its roster when practice begins in August.
Not bad. Not bad. So, in that respect, the Tigers are way ahead of what the Crusaders ever had.
Of that 38, are there at least 11 good football players?
I have to believe there is - and then some - and perhaps even a lot, lot more.
MHS first-year head football coach Adam Eichhorn and his staff certainly believe they have the talent to compete on the gridiron this upcoming season.
Eichhorn is very familiar with the Tiger personnel, having been a key assistant to "interim" head coach Bob Springer last season when the orange and black made its debut in the East Central Ohio League (ECOL) and went 2-8 overall.
Fact is, Marietta High football has suffered through nine consecutive losing campaigns, the most in the school's history. The Tigers have not enjoyed a winning season since their one and only postseason playoff run in 2002.
Eichhorn is fully aware of this.
The MHS boss also knows that he is the school's fourth head football coach in as many years.
The thing is, though, all of this - past seasons and former coaches - is bygones. It might make for interesting reading - but that's about all it's good for.
All Eichhorn and his staff are concerned with and dwelling on is the present - and ultimately fielding the best 11 players on the grid when the season kicks off against Morgan in a non-conference tilt at McConnelsville at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24.
It's a tough Marietta football slate with Warren in Vincent the following Friday and then the Big Reds of Parkersburg in its home opener the next week.
After that, the Gallia Academy Blue Devils visit Marietta at Don Drumm Stadium.
The Tigers' ECOL opener will be on the road at River View in Warsaw on Sept. 21.
With what occurred in past seasons and human nature being what it is, some fans might be inclined to believe that the Marietta Tigers will continue to remain in a rut.
But the fact is, someday the tables are going to turn in the Tigers' favor.
Heck, it might as well be this season.
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Ron Johnston is the Marietta Times sports editor and can be reached at 376-5441 or at rjohnston@mariettatimes.com
