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CLEVELAND BLUE RAIDERS
Head coach: Marty Wheeler (15-17 here; 100-55 overall)
Returning starters: 4 offensive; 4 defensive
Last year's record: 6-5 overall, lost in Class 6A first round
Key players: Drew Lambert (6-2, 205) Sr. QB, Rodney Broadnax (6-5, 210) Sr. WR/LB, DJ Adams (6-2, 160) Sr. WR/DB, Mycah Jordan (5-11, 165) Jr. WR/DB, Isaiah Davis (5-10, 160) So. RB/S, Ethan Burns (6-2, 225) Sr. OL/DL, Brian Beard (6-1, 175) Jr. RB/LB, LJ Adams (6-2, 170) Jr. ATH, Jared Canales (5-10, 235) Sr. OL/DL, Lucas Symborski (6-2, 185) So. ATH, Cam Lockerby (5-6, 160) Jr. FB/LB
Season outlook: The return of Lambert, who threw for 1,901 yards and had 14 touchdowns last season, is obviously a plus for the offense. It will be extremely tough to replace top target Destun Thomas, who signed with Memphis, but Broadnax has the skills to be a Football Bowl Subdivision receiver one day, too.
First, though, Broadnax will have to be the alpha receiver for the Blue Raiders after snagging 19 passes for 310 yards and four touchdowns as a junior. Jordan is another key receiver and will also be a playmaker in the secondary.
As for replacing the graduated Tetoe Boyd (1,400 rushing yards in 2021), Cleveland looks to have an answer with Davis, who showed tremendous burst as a freshman on his way to averaging 6.8 yards per carry and scoring three touchdowns.
DJ Adams could star on both sides of the ball, while Beard, Lockerby and Symborski are all breakout candidates.
The Blue Raiders will have to replace a great deal of production on defense, too, with their linebacker corps hit the hardest. Burns is back up front after collecting six tackles for loss last season.
"What I like about this bunch the most is their team-first approach," Wheeler said. "These guys have bonded well together and want to go out there and win every Friday night."