While there’s no shame in a season ended with a defeat to an eventual state champion, the East Syracuse Minoa football team found little solace with that fact.

The Spartans’ dreams of a Section III Class A crown were dashed last November when Indian River overwhelmed them, 40-6. Three weeks later, on that same Carrier Dome turf, Indian River claimed Section III’s first state championship since 2007.

For ESM quarterback Jake Rodman, the sectional finals loss, and its aftermath, offered a hint of what might have happened had it gone further.

“It made us think that we could have done the same thing,” said Rodman.

Head coach Kevin DeParde echoed those sentiments, saying that the team’s off-season work was as strong as at any time in his tenure, driven by what they didn’t accomplish and what Indian River pulled off after topping the Spartans.

Now, of course, everyone starts anew, and the Spartans do so convinced that its mix of talented skill players and depth at several positions will lead to another championship push.

Offensively, ESM might initially lean on its passing attack, especially with Rodman back for his senior year and finally at 100 percent with his knee.

That knee injury sidelined Rodman for the first half of the 2014 regular season as Brandon Breen started at quarterback, and when he returned, he mostly stayed in the pocket. Now, with his mobility back and a bit more bulk (he’s up to 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds), Rodman has a chance to take off.

“If teams have to defend him as a passer and runner, it will stress them out,” said DeParde.

Without Eyan Underwood or DeShaun Gorman to throw to, Rodman will target his top returning receiver, Brandon Santillo. And if Santillo draws double teams, that could leave two-way standout Jeremy Perry or talented sophomore Carter Smith open.

Far more questions surround the Spartans’ running attack. Without Breen, Fred Johnson, K’Hari Flagg or RiQuelle Othman on hand, a new set of backs must take over, with junior Greg Buck and sophomore Nyzhier Jefferson getting the first looks.

All of the skill positions can take time to develop because four starting offensive linemen return, led by Martin Campbell (270 pounds) and Justin Sauve (200 pounds) at guard, with Shane Krawec (245 pounds) at center and Joe Moore (240 pounds) at tackle. The other tackle spot is up for grabs, but ESM could add further heft with two-tight end sets that feature Perry and Gabe Holloman.

ESM’s defense, burned so much by Indian River’s speed in that 2014 sectional final, gets redesigned each year. DeParde said he works from the backfield up, going with a 4-2 alignment up front because he knows he has a deep pool of defensive backs from which to choose.

Campbell anchors the line, joining Chris Todd at tackle as Holloman and Perry work at end, while Jefferson and Nick Castrello roam at linebacker. In that talented secondary, Jeff Loder returns at free safety, flanked by Santillo and Ty Barkins as Buck and Tom Ghika line up at cornerback.

It all starts for ESM with a short road trip to renew a local rivalry – namely, Friday’s opener at Fayetteville-Manlius, a team it has not faced since dropping a 27-21 classic in 2000. Then the Class A gauntlet starts, with key games against Jamesville-DeWitt and Fulton at home.

DeParde said the Spartans’ path back to the Carrier Dome and taking the step toward a first sectional championship since 2011, is clear.

“We need to play fast and physical,” he said. “That will put us in a position to win games. Then, we need to have leadership, chemistry and a workmanlike attitude, and whether we can get to that level is the question.”