NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. — The phrase “youth will be served” could easily characterize the 2012 Manchester University football team.

In the backfield, sophomore Austin Adams, of Dowagiac is the top returner to go along with some newcomers.

“We’ve got some opportunities for new faces to step in and make an impact,” Shannon Griffith, ninth-year head coach of the Spartans, said. “While there are some position battles stacking up going into preseason camp, I’m excited about that because it will make us better (down the road).

“I see the gap between the teams in the conference closing,” he added. “You’ve got to be ready to go day in and day out. It’s a pretty simple formula I use when someone asks me what the biggest keys to success are. Get turnovers but don’t turn the ball over while working on field position constantly. You need to set up your offense on a short field and create a long one for your opponents.”

With another strong Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference race looming and non-league clashes against traditional opponents Trine and Kalamazoo leading off the schedule, the

Spartans have plenty to focus on when preseason camp opens next month.