Like with the offense, new Parkwood High School head football coach Tim Speakman has wiped the Rebels defensive depth chart clean.

But there are some exceptions as Parkwood prepares for the August 18 season opener at home against Central Academy of Technology and Arts.

Rising senior Seth Shimer is all but penciled in as the Rebels defensive leader at middle linebacker. As a junior, Shimer led the team with 166 tackles, including 92 solo stops and seven tackles for losses.

Shimer (6-foot-1, 205 pounds), who also played as a sophomore, could also see time on the offensive side of the football.

“Seth Shimer, in the weight room, has been really excellent,” Speakman said. “He has a great work ethic and he has leadership abilities. He is going to play our Mike linebacking position in the middle and be that guy that is our field general on defense.

“Seth has to step up and be a leader and I have seen some good leadership qualities in the weight room so far. I am very pleased with what he is doing right now.”

Another top defensive returnee is rising senior Marc Crimmins. Crimmins (5-10, 160) had a 116 tackles as a junior from his strong safety position.

“We are trying to get a depth chart and to see where we are at,” Speakman said.

Returning offensive tackle Nick Saldiveri (6-6, 284) is one of several players that could see playing time on both sides of the football. Saldiveri committed to play football at Old Dominion on June 18.

“Nick will definitely play offensive line for us and could play in certain packages, especially goal line, for us on defense,” Speakman said. “We have some kids that are going to have to play both sides of the football. We have to put our best players on the field and it is important for us to use all of our kids.

“If that means having them go both ways, that means we have to get them in shape and ready to play.”

Another player that could have a big impact is rising sophomore Daniel Morrison. Morrison (6-1, 205) could see time at defensive end

“He is young, but at the same time he has the physical and athletic abilities to help us,” Speakman said. “He is one of those kids that could also be playing both sides of the ball for us.”