Preview capsule: Peotone football

That optimism, however, quickly evaporated into a 3-6 season, including 0-5 in the Interstate Eight Conference's large division.

"We underachieved, both the coaches and players last year," Greene said. "Although we are much younger this time around, we are hoping that younger is good. It is awfully early to tell what will happen.

"It is awfully early to tell how this team will jell throughout the season. I can't say how we will develop right now."

Greene will be looking for the Blue Devils to produce some early-season momentum to build upon for the remainder of the year.

After starting for the last two years at quarterback for the Blue Devils, 6-foot-4, 190-pound senior Nic Romanchik has been switched to wideout. Romanchik, an outstanding basketball player, passed for 940 yards as a junior.

"I thought we needed a playmaker at the position and Nic is a tremendous athlete," Greene said. "He has great leaping ability and we want to get him the ball as much as possible. We hope to utilize him at that position.

Junior Mike Riordan and sophomore Nick Ahlborn are battling it out for the No. 1 quarterback spot. Peotone's best runners should be seniors Norm Nevinger (375 yards rushing last season) and Andrew Hagemaster (452), and junior Brandon Smith. Senior Chaz Wesolowski and junior Tyler Clott, a defending state shot put champion, anchor the offensive line.

"Mike Riordan started at quarterback on the sophomore team last season," Greene said. "Both Mike and Nick are doing nice jobs in camp so far. They are competing hard for the starting job and that's a good thing.

"Both quarterbacks, however, have never played on the varsity level before. That is a little bit of a concern, but they are looking good in practice."

There will be no lack of size up front for the Blue Devils with the 6-1, 250-pound Wesolowski, the 6-3, 270-pound Clott and 6-2, 270-pound junior James Miaczynski paving the way to opposing runners and quarterbacks. Nevinger will play defensive end.

"If you are going to compete in this conference, you need some guys up front who can be physical and do some things," Greene said. "Hopefully these guys will give us a chance."

Romanchik's athleticism at free safety will key the Blue Devils' secondary. Hagemaster and senior Brandon Gillentine will start at corner.

"Nic has the ability to make plays on either side of the ball," Greene said. "We need our defense to make some plays back there.

"With guys like Tyler Clott and Chaz Wesolowski up front on the defense, that will put some pressure on opposing teams. And we are looking for James Miaczynski to also make some plays for us."

Soccer player Kyle Robinson, a senior, will handle both the punting and kicking chores. "We will look to Kyle to be a reliable kicker for us," Greene said. After a one-year hiatus, Greene would like to return the Blue Devils to their proper spot -- the playoffs.

In 2007, the Blue Devils posted a 6-3 regular-season record before falling in the playoffs.

"We were very disappointed last year with our performance," he said. "We are getting back to fundamentally-sound football and keeping our mistakes to a minimum.

"We want to get back to becoming a solid team fundamentally," Greene said. "That is one of our priorities. We are committed to making the playoffs."