The Yardling football team, in past years stocked with a surplus of outstanding high school and prep school stars, this season faces the prospect of a plain, mediocre year minus such leaders.

The squad's only outstanding back, a triple-threat Massachusetts scoring champ in 1952, may in fact miss one or two of the team's opening games because of an injured ankle. Walter Stahura, powerful Yardling failback and former schoolboy star at Deerfield Academy, should at least miss next Friday's freshman A team opener with Dartmouth. He will probably be replaced by John Hennessy.

Generally, however, Coach Bob Margarita says the players definitely lack the strength of last year's team, much of which is now playing for the varsity, "But they are improving all the time," Margarita added. "The Crimson B squad unofficially opened the Yardling season on an encouraging note last Saturday, when they eked out a 6-0 victory over usually strong Thayer Academy.

The starting lineup for the A team will probably still be tentative, even after Friday's game with Dartmouth. Besides Stahura in the backfield, lanky Tom Zierk, a track start at school and the fastest runner on the squad, is scheduled to start at wingback, and Joe Guglietta, ex-football captan at Worcester Academy, will probably be at fullback. Gugilotta has been noted as an extremely shifty and hard line plunger.

The quarterback position is still undecided, with two converted linemen battling for the post. Cliff Erickson and Ashton Hallott will probably alternate as the blocking back against Dartmouth.

Tom Hooper, another schoolboy captain, capable of circus catches and outstanding defense work, will be at left end, with Bob Cathcart on the right side.

Schein Sure Starter

Big, burly Dave Schein (six feet three inch, 220 pounds) is almost a sure starter at right tackle, with Bill Gill, Bill Elder, and Joe George vying for the other tackle position. The guards are tentatively rugged Charlie Eaton and former Andover co-captain Bob Harris.

Marve Lebovits appears to have a slight edge over Mike Prichard for the center position, although both will probably see action in the A squad's first game.

Outstanding as reserves are ends Don Hoffman and tall (six feet four inches) Bob Hoffsis. Fullback Tom Fritz, a former all-star player from Minnesota, has looked well defensively during the past weeks of practice and may also play against Dartmouth.

Reserve tailback Jim Tulenko, brother of former Crimson star John Tulenko, wrenched his knee in an early scrimmage with the varsity and may be out for the rest of the season.