BOONE — Football on the mountain is back.
Appalachian State takes to the field this weekend looking to regain the form that led it to an unprecedented three consecutive national titles from 2005 to 2007.
The Mountaineers, just one year removed from their last of the three titles, open a much-anticipated season with longtime in-state rival East Carolina on Saturday at noon in Greenville, N.C.
Appalachian State's home opener is Sept. 12 against McNeese State at 3:30 p.m.
And as Saturday's visit to ECU approaches, one daunting question still remains — will superstar quarterback Armanti Edwards be cleared to play?
Edwards, a Walter Payton Award winner as one of the nation's top offensive players, has been sidelined for a month because of a mowing injury he suffered in the offseason.
Although fans wonder if he will return, Edwards remains confident.
"There's no doubt I'll come back before most people expect to see me," said Edwards, a senior. "I've always had luck on my side and been a fast healer."
Even if head coach Jerry Moore decides to rest Edwards and save him for the remainder of the season, he doesn't seem too worried with second-string quarterback DeAndre Presley to take the reins.
"I am very comfortable in Presley's abilities to lead this team," said Moore, who enters his 21st season as Mountaineers head coach. "He has improved a lot as a football player and a leader."
Expectations are again high in Boone, and junior wide receiver CoCo Hillary says the Mountaineers are ready.
"We have to come out with a positive attitude and just go out and handle our business every Saturday," Hillary said.
Senior linebacker Jacque Roman has his eye on team and individual honors.
"I want to go out and prove why I was the Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year," said Roman. "I want to make the team better with my play and leadership and help us win another national title."
Edwards said the Mountaineers are confident.
"The chemistry has improved a lot from last season and everyone remembers how last season ended (with a second round playoff loss to Richmond) and we don't want that feeling again."
Moore said Edwards is not only focused on leading the Mountaineers to another national title, but also on improving as a leader.
"He has been working hard this offseason to be a more vocal leader and motivate the team," Moore said of Edwards. "The adversity of his injury may be the perfect motivator for these young players, seeing him overcome such an injury and playing at a high level."
The Mountaineers head to ECU hoping to continue their recent success in opening games. Two years ago, they stunned Michigan on the road, and Moore said he thinks Saturday's game might be an even tougher start.
"This is the toughest opening game we've had since I've been at Appalachian," Moore said. "These kids played against each other in high school and want to go out and prove something."
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