If experience is the key to success, look for the Shawnee Mission North football team to play deep into the fall this year.

The SM North roster boasts 27 seniors returning from a team that went 6-4 last year, including a season-opening victory over perennial Class 6A power Olathe North. Both players and coaches expect this year’s record to improve dramatically.

Shawnee Mission North Senior Mack Brown figures to keep defenses guessing as the Indians' returning quarterback. Brown, the son of SM North coach Sam Brown, threw for 2,103 yards last year, an average of 17 yards per completion. He was a first-team All-Sunflower League selection as a junior.

“We are coming into the season with high expectations,” said Brown, starting his eighth year at SM North. “We have a chance to be very good. This team went undefeated in freshman league, and they are all back as seniors.”

Brown’s optimism is shared by the North players as well. They too believe that this team could be something special.

“We had 140 guys come out for the team this year, which is a record for us,” Brown said. “The turnout is great for the program.”

The SMN offense will be led by Brown’s son, senior Mack Brown, a first-team All-Sunflower League selection last year as a junior. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound quarterback threw for 2,103 yards, with an average of 17 yards per completion. In addition, he passed for 22 touchdowns and rushed for two scores as well.

Early practice performance indicates that senior Dominique Grayson will be a key receiver for the Indians’ high-powered aerial attack, and a favorite target of Brown’s. Grayson is a speedy playmaker who can turn a short completion into a big gain at any moment. Senior Brett Woods and senior Eric Nitsche will also be counted on as go-to receivers as well.

Senior running back Chad Cross, who was a second-team All-Sunflower League selection last year as a junior, will handle the majority of the running duties. Senior Bryan Schmutz also will carry the ball. He doubles as the Indians’ punter.

The Indians open up Thursday against Free State.