The Cranston West football program hasn’t produced a winning season since 2007, but head coach Steve Stoehr and his Falcons are optimistic and hopeful that this season could end that streak.

The early goal for the Falcons is just to take the season week by week, and to remain competitive on a weekly basis.

“We’re young and inexperienced, but our expectations are high,” Stoehr said. “We expect to go into the league and do good things.”

This season will feature a new-look Falcon team, particularly on the offensive side of the football.

West graduated its quarterback, Steve Furtado, and its starting running back, Raekwon Kisilywicz, from its 2014 roster, leaving significant voids.

But with uncertainty at key positions comes opportunities to step up.

And that’s exactly what’s happening in the backfield, where multiple players are elevating their levels of play.

In fact, Stoehr feels that the Falcons could be stronger at running back this fall than they were a season ago.

It certainly seems that depth will be on West’s side at that position, with seniors Abdiel Mendez, Drew Watts, Rob Guzman and Matt Lonardo expected to shoulder the workload out of the backfield.

That depth should work in favor of what Stoehr wants to do in terms of an offensive gameplan.

“I want to run the ball and control the clock,” Stoehr said. “We will throw it, but we want to control the game, and you do that on the ground.”

At quarterback, seniors Ryan Marsella and Matt Malo were battling it out for the starting role, but Stoehr believes that Marsella will be under center on opening night.

“Replacing Steve Furtado’s legs will be tough, but Ryan Marsella isn’t slow and he can throw the ball,” Stoehr said.

Another offensive contributor should be Nick Almonte, who is listed as a tight end, and should stabilize the passing game.

Wide receiver Cam Bent will also be a top target for Marsella.

In terms of the offensive line, there is some inexperience but also some tremendous size – maybe the biggest offensive line that Stoehr has had.

The offensive line should be comprised of all sophomores and juniors, and maybe one senior.

“They might be one of the bigger lines I’ve ever had, they have good size,” Stoehr said. “You’ll see contributions from them if they build camaraderie and become one unit.”

Kevin Mitchell, a junior, has the potential to be a standout among the offensive lineman.

On defense, senior linebackers Tajah Jones and Paul Hazian will be relied upon to step up following the loss of Mazen Taman to graduation.

In the secondary, Lonardo, Watts, Mendez and Guzman will be looking to nullify opponent’s passing games.

Almonte and junior Mike O’Neill will anchor the defensive line for the Falcons.

Something that is working in West’s favor is its schedule, particularly early on.

The Falcons will play their first game at Cumberland on Sept. 18. But after that, they will return home for three consecutive games.

That stretch of home games could give West a chance to establish some confidence heading into the meat of its schedule.

“We’re a young team, so we want to build our confidence early,” Stoehr said. “I think you need to win the games at home. I believe that.”

West will see where it is on Friday, when it plays West Warwick at 6:15 p.m. at Cranston Stadium in an Injury Fund game.

The Wizards finished just 2-5 in Division II last fall.

“We’re going to go one game at a time,” Stoehr said. “If you win one game at a time, the result will be the playoffs. That’s always been our goal. Don’t look ahead, don’t look back. Just worry about the next one up.”