POLK COUNTY WILDCATS
Head coach: Derrick Davis (117-83 in 18 years here and overall)
Returning starters: 7 offensive, 8 defensive
Key players: OL/DL Cameron Coffey (6-3, 250), RB Hunter Morgan (5-9, 180), C/LB Alex Pell (6-2, 225), DB Hunter Watson (5-9, 160), QB Nate Waters (6-0, 190).
Team strengths: Much of last year's struggles were because of the number of inexperienced players on the field. Now there are 15 total starters back and 13 seniors on the roster who have big-game experience.
"You can't measure how big it is to have guys back who have played in big games," Davis said. "And seniors bring a different attitude than the younger guys, so hopefully that will mean we play better."
Team concerns: There isn't much in the way of breakaway speed in the backfield. As is usually the case, the Wildcats will rely on size up front and a collection of bruising runners to move the ball.
Newcomer to watch: Coffey is expected to solidify an offensive line that returns just one starter. He also will make it tough on opposing runners by clogging up the interior on defense.
Season outlook: It's been five years since the Wildcats have had a winning season, which likely feels more like a decade to Davis, who averaged eight wins per season before the down cycle began.
However, with a strong group of upperclassmen and the amount of experience returning in the backfield, this is Polk's best shot at returning to the number of wins to which the program had been accustomed.
"We were close in several games (last year). I know that doesn't count, but two or three times, a play or two here and there could've meant a seven-win season," Davis said. "We have to make the plays when we get chances and avoid the turnovers that really bit us at bad times last year.
"We feel good about our skill positions. Finally having some older guys who can start is big, especially having Waters back to run things for us."
A trio of backs - Kyle Dunn, Eddie Lamb and Morgan - will get most of the carries behind Coffey and Pell, whom Davis sees as the team's MVP.
"That kid can do so many different things for us, but mostly just how his toughness sets the tone for the younger guys," Davis said of Pell. "We had to play some kids probably before they were ready last year, but that should make us better now."