Preview capsule: Wilmington football

And, with a stable of talent returning from last year's team that went 11-1 and won the Interstate Eight Small title with a 5-0 mark, a 14th straight trip into the postseason doesn't seem like much of a stretch.

Just don't tell that to coach Jeff Reents.

"We're excited about the season, but at the same time, the kids and the community also have some high expectations," he said. "We know that if we look ahead, that's when we get in trouble."

Backfield: Nearly the entire backfield that ran for nearly 3,100 yards last season returns, starting with quarterback Colin Webb. Webb complimented the Wildcats' run-oriented double-wing with 1,214 yards and 14 touchdowns through the air against just 6 interceptions. He also ran for 190 yards and 6 scores. Cort Scheel returns with his 733 yards and 6 touchdowns, as does Jeremy Bailey, who ran for 468 yards and 13 scores. Fullback Zack McWilliams (386 yards, 2 TDs) also returns.

Linemen: Not only do the primary runners return for the Wildcats, but so do a bulk of the blockers. Tackle Kyle Adermann, guards Jake Hazelton and Mike Popovich and center Brandon Norris are all back for another year, while the other tackle position is a battle between Bob O'Brien and Bobby Warren.

Receivers: When the Wildcats do air it out, ends Andy Crutchfield and Richard Heintz will be the primary targets at split end. Scheel is the leading returning receiver, having caught 15 passes -- 5 for touchdowns -- out of the backfield last year. Heintz caught 14 passes and Crutchfield 9. Both scored a pair of TDs as well.

Linemen: Due to a lack of size, but a proliferation of speed, the Wildcats will employ a 3-5 look. Up front will be Robert Michelkamp at nose guard and Adermann and Crutchfield at tackle.

Linebackers: Bailey and Matt Salters will be the outside linebackers, while Webb and Hazelton will take two of the inside positions. The other is a battle between McWilliams and Steve Liaromatis.

"We have a lot of small, quick guys from the wrestling team," Reents said. "We have a lot of speed. We have always prided ourselves in getting after the football, and we can do that."

Secondary: Scheel and Ty Anderson will handle the cornerback duties, with John Gruca manning the free safety position.

"It's nice to have experience in the secondary," Reents said. "We can turn the guys loose up front, knowing that the guys in the backfield will be there to back them up."

Experience also resides in the special teams, as Adermann returns as the punter and sophomore Trae Berndt will be the placekicker again. Berndt kicked 36 extra points and 2 field goals as a freshman.

"Trae has a little more leg strength this year, and that will help us out," Reents said.

The names are familiar on both sides of the ball. That's a plus when it comes to experience. But they are also the same on both offense and defense, which is not always a plus.

"We have a lot of guys going both ways, and that's a concern," Reents said. "A lot of teams in our class (3A) will have a lot of guys going both ways, though. One thing that can really be an issue is injuries. If we stay healthy, we like our chances. And, our juniors coming in have to mesh well with the seniors. That seems to be going pretty well so far."