FOOTBALL: AT A GLANCE

• Coach: Mike Shepard, 3rd year.

• Last season: 3-4 in SPSL North, tied for fifth place, 4-6 overall.

• Offense: I-formation.

• Defense: 3-4.

• Top returners (Name, year, position, height/weight): Tyler Wright, jr., WR/CB, 5-10/175; Carson Crooks, sr., TE/OLB, 6-4/205; Jon Parker, sr., OG/DL, 6-0/225; Mike Holzberger, jr., C, 6-4/240; Ryan Esping, sr., WR, 5-10/180; Travis Felchlin, sr., FB, 5-10/210; Taylor Angevine, sr., TB, 5-9/170; Lewi Larson, sr., QB, 6-1/205; Cody Arp, sr., S, 6-0/180; Mitch Harb, sr., S, 5-8/170; Dallin Grover, sr., LB, 6-4/215; Stephen Morse, sr., LB, 6-0/180; Alex McMahon, sr., LB, 6-0/180.

• Key newcomers (Name, year, position, height/weight): Sam Brooks, so., OLB, 6-0/185; Derek Straus, sr., DE, 6-2/190; Tyler Jewett, so., OT, 6-3/240; Cody Duncan, FB, 5-5/200; Nick Kramlich, so., TB, 5-8/170; Warren Powell, jr., OL, 6-4/240.

• Outlook: This team has plenty of reason for optimism, winning more games last season (four) than the previous two years combined. And with a little luck, the Falcons likely would’ve won a couple more games a year ago as they lost four times by eight or fewer points. Injuries really hampered this team last fall as it lost quarterback Lewi Larson in Week 2 to a dislocated shoulder and had to piece together a few other positions as the season wore on. Larson has the arm and the accuracy to be one of the North’s elite quarterbacks. All he needs is a clean bill of health, which he currently has. Larson should get plenty of help, as well. Running back Travis Felchlin came into his own late last season, rushing for 94 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-10 victory against Thomas Jefferson in Week 7. In addition, linebacker Steven Morse, a second-team all-league selection, led the entire SPSL in tackles last season with 84.5. Meanwhile, Kentlake didn’t graduate too much top-shelf talent and returns enough skill-position players to be a factor in the playoff race.

• Can’t-miss game: Take your pick. For a team on the rise, every game is big. However, even though it’s the season opener, the Falcons should get a good idea of how they’re going to fare when they kick off on Sept. 5 against Kentridge at French Field. Kentlake dropped a 14-9 heartbreaker to the Chargers in Week 6 of last season, a game that didn’t officially put the Falcons out of the playoffs, but made reaching the postseason nearly impossible. A win here would go a long way in helping Kentlake re-establish itself as a North Division contender.

LAST FIVE YEARS

YEAR RECORD

2007 4-6

2006 2-8

2005 1-9

2004 3-7

2003 9-2