In the metformin 1000 mg pill world of prep football, losing dozens of seniors is akin to starting over.

Considering that fact, the Eastmont Wildcats somehow made it out of graduation with a surprising amount of their team still intact.

Yes, there are just two returning starters on offense and three on defense, but those players happen to be among some of the more crucial pieces in last year’s second-place Big Nine 3A team.

Livewire defensive end Berlie Walker is back off a first-team All-League selection to lead the defense, while dual-threat quarterback Lucas

McGill returns with 16 career starts and a refined throwing motion to his credit.

The duo, along with lineman Christian Reyes and running back/defensive back John Wehrer, give the Wildcats a small but solid group of senior leaders.

“Our numbers are way down, from 28 to 13 (seniors), but we have some real strong leadership,” eighth-year Eastmont coach Doug McGill said.

“The kids in that class treat the other kids with respect, and it really gives everybody the best shot. They’re a smart bunch and have played quite a bit.”

The Wildcats will need every bit of that leadership if they’re going to post a record over .500 for the second season in a row.

Walker, the son of offensive line coach Bill Walker, should have no problem fitting that bill, coach McGill said.

He’ll also be expected to pitch in on offense for the first time at the varsity level, sliding into the H-back spot, the team’s running back/wide receiver hybrid position.

“Berlie has really improved on his catching,” McGill said. “He’s just such a competitor, he doesn’t allow himself to make mistakes. Sam (Gwinn) left some big shoes to fill, but I really feel Berlie will prove to be a worthy offensive player.”

“Berlie is really fun to watch run. You never know what will happen,” Lucas McGill said. “He’s a versatile back, a good fit.”

Walker will have the luxury of catching passes and taking hand-offs from the talented Lucas McGill, a prototype of a quarterback if there is one.

“I really think that he’s confident in what he can do,” said coach McGill, who traveled to numerous football camps with his son during the offseason. “He has experience and decision-making skills, and he’s a pretty tough runner. He’s a little deceptive with his long gait — he doesn’t look as fast as he is but he eats up some ground.”

Lucas McGill threw 10 interceptions to nine touchdowns last season, but spent a lot of time working on his accuracy.

There are a few questions surrounding the offense, however. The beefy and experienced offensive line of last year is no more, and reliable receiving targets like Darren Spaeth and Reed Jaspers are also graduated, meaning there will be plenty of on-the-job training for the Wildcats.

The running backs could be candidates to break out this season. Coach McGill is high on both senior John Wehrer and junior Darin Hardgrove, both hard runners and workers who will take turns carrying the ball.

The defense looks to be a little more solidified with high-caliber athletes Wehrer, Hargrove and Trenton Osborn in the secondary and Kyle

Hoffman at linebacker, but like on offense the young line will be tested from the get-go.

Eastmont will have its hands full with reigning league champ Kamiakin and perennial contender Southridge, who it beat for the first time in school history in 2010.

“We’re looking at everybody as a tough game,” coach McGill said. “We have to earn anything we get this year.”