It will be tough for the Cranston East football team to replace the explosiveness of running back Marquem Monroe and the leadership of Darrio Carter, but head coach Tom Centore and his squad certainly retain enough firepower to try.

Monroe dashed by defenses regularly and Carter was a proven general from under center, helping Cranston East to a 4-4 record and a playoff berth. In order to get to the postseason, though, the ‘Bolts will have to rely heavily on the shoulders of senior quarterback/running back John Anderson.

Anderson played an integral role in the backfield last season for East, and figures to see his carries increase now that Monroe is gone. Anderson showed his versatility when he played four games at quarterback after Carter suffered an injury. Anderson also operates on the defensive side, recording some time at free safety last season.

“He’s certainly gonna be a big factor in what we do,” Centore said.

Anderson could end up under center this season, but the job is still up for grabs according to Centore. Juniors Steve Alvarez and Randy Duran will also battle for the position, and Centore said that his decision will most likely be made after the team’s Injury Fund round robin on Friday.

Regardless of who earns the starting position, Anderson will be able to use his power and his legs to East’s advantage. Joining him in the backfield will be senior running back Andre Garcia, while Jay Bast will line up at tight end with C.J. Dummett at wide receiver.

Centore said another focus of the Injury Fund series will be shoring up the offensive line. With some veterans returning, Centore hopes the group can evolve together with the new additions.

“[We will] just continue to develop our offensive line,” Centore said. “We have a couple of kids that played last year up there and hopefully that’s going to continue to develop.”

On defense, East brings back a majority of its core from last year. Senior David Todd and Dummett will round out the cornerback positions. In the middle, junior Bast will help to lead a crew of sophomore linebackers.

The defensive line is where East may be the strongest. 6-foot-5, 230-pound senior nose tackle Sal Rodrigues returns to help anchor the line, with Andre Garcia, Malik Gavek and Steven Ferrazano also joining the front seven.

The ‘Bolts will have to mesh quickly with the daunting early schedule they will face. Their first game of the season is next Friday, Sept. 11, at Ledyard for a non-league game in Eastern Connecticut.

“[Ledyard is] a pretty good football team out of Eastern Connecticut,” Centore said. “We’ve got our hands full early. We’re just hoping we get better as the season goes on with the veterans and the young kids. I think there’s some potential in the young kids going down the road.”

Things don’t get any easier for East as its league schedule begins, mimicking a similar stretch it had to endure last season. East will host Portsmouth, which went 5-3 last season, to open Division I play. East will have its annual league bout with rival Cranston West (2-6) before having a bye week.

The rest will be much needed, however, as next up is reigning champion Bishop Hendricken (7-1) on the road. East then returns home, but will be welcomed by La Salle (8-0) on Oct. 16.

“We don’t have an easy beginning schedule to be honest with you, but I’m hoping that we compete early and as the season goes on get better,” Centore said.

Getting better as the season goes on should be an easier task if the ‘Bolts can weather the first half of their schedule. After La Salle comes to town, East hosts two more games at home against East Providence (2-6) and Cumberland (3-5). Since West and East both play at Cranston Stadium, East has the benefit of playing five of its first six league games at home.

The ‘Bolts will then embark on a two-game road trip before closing out their season on Thanksgiving against West. East travels to South Kingstown (1-7) on Nov. 6 before battling at Barrington (4-4) the next week.

East will go through its final tuneup this Friday with the Injury Fund tournament at Cranston Stadium beginning at 5 p.m. East will open up the event by taking on Coventry, which went 4-3 in Division II-A this past season.

The ‘Bolts will get a chance to look at their competition this year, too. West will oppose West Warwick (2-5 in Division II-B) at 6:15 p.m. before Hendricken and La Salle tilt at 7:30 p.m.