DADE COUNTY WOLVERINES
Head coach: Bradley Warren (46-59 in 10 years here; 105-102 overall)
Returning starters: 4 offensive, 6 defensive
Key players: OL/DL Bailey Floyd (6-3, 330), OL/DL Michael Greene (6-3, 260), OL/DL Tyler King (6-4, 320), RB Malaki Webb (5-10, 180), WR/OLB Josh Williams (6-3, 200).
Team strengths: If the road to offensive and defensive success is paved by the linemen - and that's often the case - the Wolverines have quite the construction crew on the job. Floyd, Greene and King headline a big, powerful group that will try to help the program get back to the playoffs for the first time in three years.
"We're going to have to live and die behind our offensive line," Warren said. "That's no big secret."
Team concerns: Depth overall. Warren believes there is talent in the reserves, but he knows it's young and untested.
Newcomer to watch: Harley Walker could have a breakout senior season. He helped lead Dade's baseball program to the Region 7-AA title and a second-round appearance in the state playoffs this past spring, and his athletic ability and knowledge of the Wolverines' schemes could pay off this fall, too.
After starting at cornerback in the past, he'll continue to hold down that duty but also start at quarterback.
"He's been playing in our system for a while. He knows the offense real well," Warren said. "He's a good team leader who has waited his turn to play quarterback."
Season outlook: While those linemen are busy paving the way, Malaki Webb is warming up his engine for what the Wolverines hope are some more great gains out of the junior running back. His 1,200-yard sophomore season included a school-record setting 297 rushing yards (on 30 carries) against Gordon Central on his way to Best of Preps honors.
"He's had a great offseason. He's going to be a factor for sure," Warren said. "He's a great kid and a good football player. He works hard and he's a big part of our offense and a good team leader. He's very quick, and he's pretty fast straight ahead, too - but he's extremely quick in his lateral movement."
There were still some unknowns for the Wolverines early in the preseason as they looked to put together the puzzle of who best fits where. Their coach was encouraged by their approach, though, and hopes it carries them far.
"This team's got a really good chemistry," Warren said. "Their motto is, 'So what? Now what?' You just won, what are you going to do next week? You just lost, what are you going to do next week? They're pretty even-keeled and they're easy to coach. We've just got to do a really good job of getting them in a scheme that fits their skill set. We're getting closer.