FOXBURG — Quality over quantity.

That is the approach being taken by A-C Valley football coach Brad Dittman this season.

Just 24 players are on the 2013 roster, down from 29 a season ago.

“We were looking at between 30 and 35 guys originally,” Dittman said, “but we weeded out the ones who weren’t committed.

“I’d like to have a few more players, but I am ready to roll with the 24 that we have.”

A-C Valley is coming off a 3-6 campaign, the most wins for the Falcons in a single campaign since 2004.

A 34-27 loss at West Shamokin in the 2012 regular-season finale kept the Falcons from qualifying for the District 9 playoffs for the first time since 1999.

“I don’t necessarily look at the wins from last year, but it was the strides we made in the program,” said Dittman. “Our players had confidence and a belief in themselves. I want to build on that.”

Following the graduation of quarterback Kevin Kaufman (1,325 passing yards and nine touchdowns in 2012), the Falcons need a new leader within their pistol offensive scheme. The job is up for grabs between sophomore Evan Redding and junior Cody Jones.

Redding relieved an injured Kaufman against Keystone last season, throwing for 87 yards and two touchdowns in a 21-8 win.

The Falcons figure to have a strong ground attack. Dallas Wingard, Andrew Strauser and Mike Suto will get the bulk of the carries, with Suto leading the trio last year with a 4-yard average and three touchdowns. He also added 21 receptions worth 199 yards.

Two starters return on the offensive line, though they will be at different positions. Anthony Painter will move from tight end to tackle and Dustin Fletcher from guard to center. Dittman is confident that the duo can anchor the trenches.

“Any good team wants to play to its strengths,” he said. “Right now, our strengths are our line and running backs.”

Dittman does need a couple of receivers to step up. The projected playmakers at the position — Austin Morgan, Damien Wolfe and Jones, if he does not win the job at quarterback — combined for just two receptions last year. That fact, coupled with Painter (11 catches in 2012) moving to the line, has the Falcons in dire need of a downfield threat.

Five starters return to lead the defense. Three of them will play linebacker — Wingard, Strauser and Hunter Defibaugh. Suto will move from linebacker to strong safety and Painter will play nose tackle.

Suto (55) and Defibaugh (50) both made their share of tackles last season.

Wolfe (5-10, 158) has the inside track to earn placekicking duties and he could be the punter as well.

A-C Valley opens the season Friday at home against Union.

“Our approach has not changed,” said Dittman. “We’re playing to win every game.

“The standard that we set last year, I think that is going to carry over.”