For the first time in a long time, the Aggies are starting from scratch.

After losing 14 seniors to graduation — quarterback Ragan Ashley and running back Logan Brooks stand out among the crowd — Fairview enters its 11th season under head coach George Redding with more questions than answers.

Who will replace that production in the backfield?

Who will step up on the offensive and defensive lines?

Who will provide all-important minutes as freshmen and/or sophomores?

If the Purple and Gold want to return to the Class 5A playoffs for the first time since 2013, the pieces of their gridiron puzzle will need to fall into place sooner rather than later.

With a roster of around 40 kids — nearly 80 percent of them are underclassmen — the Aggies have plenty of youth and inexperience available to face the rigors and challenges of what will inevitably be another difficult slate of opponents.

The primary worry for Redding, who reached the postseason in six of his first seven campaigns with the program, are the aforementioned — the average fan may not even recognize some of them — young guys who will suit up on Friday nights.

“No doubt, our concern is that experience,” he said. “We don’t have what we’ve had in the past. But in high school football, that willingness to consistently compete is more important to me. If we can find guys to do that relentlessly, that will give us a chance to win games. And at the end of the day, that’s what we want to do.”

The loss of quality contributors and likely reliance on fresh faces has done little if anything to temper expectations for returning starters.

Take Ethan Holland, for example.

The senior wide receiver and defensive back was once a freshman himself who worked his way up the ladder and earned coveted playing time on the varsity level.

Nothing else to do but take it in stride.

“It’s always been next man up,” he said. “One man can’t play, gets injured, graduates … you’ve got to have someone step up and fill those shoes. We’ve had guys do that this offseason. I believe we’re going to be a pretty good team because of that.”

Offensively, junior Dayne Black will get the starting nod at quarterback, while Garrett Dunn, Jeremy Cloud, Ethan Satterfield, Tyvn Ellis and Grant Howard have each received numerous reps at running back. Holland, Eric Taylor and Scoot Bennett can come up with a handful of receptions on any given night as well.

One question mark could be the offensive line, which must replace stalwarts Tyler Pendergrass, Hayden Richards and Andrew Morris.

“It’s been hard,” Black said. “We’ve been switching guys in and out trying to find a place for everybody. We’ve been working since summer, trying to get better every day, trying to become a better football team. We’ve made some great steps so far, but we’ve got to keep working.”

Jared Bachelor spearheads an improving defensive line, while Bennett, Howard, Eric Taylor and Mason Black offer a plethora of physicality at linebacker. Several players have stepped up to help out the secondary as well.

The unit, which only gave up 254 points last season, could have similar success should everything go according to plan.

“We really had to retool,” Redding said. “The guys we don’t have back are very new. They don’t have the Friday night experience yet, but I think the spring, summer and preseason have been huge for them in taking that next step.”

Added Holland: “If we play 90 miles an hour and don’t coast, I think we can be fine. After all, it’s just the lights and the crowd beating down on us. The sun isn’t doing that anymore. That’s where you improve, and we’re prepared.”

One thing Fairview is looking to avoid is another rough start to the season.

The Aggies have opened their schedule with a 1-3 record in each of the past four years, missing the playoffs in all but one.

A return to the postseason could hinge on the psyche and performance following the first four games this fall.

“Without a doubt, it’s extremely important,” Redding said. “When coach (Dafford) Smith was here, everything was pushing toward that first game. It’s good to have a good opener. It’s important, but it’s not everything. It doesn’t make or break your season, but it’s good to start fast. If you go out there and struggle, can you bounce back? It makes things a lot easier to come out on top, though, and not dig yourself a hole.”

Perhaps the bright spot of Fairview’s season comes before the first snap.

The Aggies’ return to Dafford Smith Stadium this fall following a three-year hiatus — they played a single game there against Springville last year — from their home confines, which closed a day prior to the 2014 campaign.

The anticipation, as well as the evaporating burden, has been a blessing for the football program.

“It’s unbelievable,” Redding said. “You can’t describe it. There isn’t a better atmosphere on Friday nights, in my opinion. The idea that we’d come back here and start the season right, it’s … you just can’t describe it, man.”

Count Taylor in on those who can’t wait.

“It’s been hard going to different schools my whole career, so it’s great to be back,” he said. “It makes us want to try harder and go out and prove something since we’re the first team back here in three years.”