The name of the game for De Soto’s football team in 2004 simply will be to “finish.”

The Wildcats, who own an 8-10 record over the past two seasons, have made a habit of starting strong only to falter down the stretch.

Each of the last two seasons saw De Soto start wonderfully — 3-0 in 2002, 5-1 in 2003 — only to end with a losing streak and winless slump in Class 4A districts.

“We need to concentrate on breaking that habit,” Wildcat coach Brad Scott said. “One of the ways we are trying to correct the problem is by finishing our practices stronger than the way we are starting them. Teams that finish well are the ones that end up with all of the hardware in the end.”

The Wildcats will again run out of the I-formation and they have nearly everybody back.

The line will lose the experience of three starters, but still has three-year starter David Hall and two-year starter Pat Burton.

“They are communicating much better than they did last year,” Scott said. “They all know the blocking schemes so well now, and understand their responsibilities.”

Gone from the receiving corps is junior college-bound Ryan Brown, but Scott still has the bulk of his pass catchers coming back.

“These guys have worked hard and are very capable of catching the ball,” Scott said. “But we are an option team, and their number one priority will be to block on the perimeter.”

Senior Leif Goleman, who rushed for 878 yards during his junior season, is back for what Scott said could be a breakout year. The senior I-back will follow the blocks of sophomore fullback Dustin Ester, who saw some varsity action as a freshman.

Front row, from left: Alex Mercer, Luke Papp, Matt Below, Jacob Rupe, Bryan Roddy, Leif Goleman, Adam Faircloth, Jake Dvorak, Danny Doherty; second row: David Hall, Josh Oberhelman, Austin Bills, Neil Erisman, Brandon Hurd, Taylor Burnett, Luke Krehbiel, Shawn Roberts; third row: Sam Rhodes, Kenny Price, J.T. Thompson, Jake Boznak, Dustin Erisman, Jerrod Bader, Pat Burton; fourth row: Aaron Hansen, Kyle Walker, Tom Beaver, Austin DeGraeve, Huston Noe, Nick Henning, Tyler Farmer; fifth row: Eric Buffkin, Eric Hill, Mitch Kopecky, Drew Roddy, Nick Hurt, Jake Morse, Shane Miller, Jozy Chance; sixth row: Pete Peterson, Devin Tenny, Troy Phinney, Mickey Malik, Clinton Smethers, C.J. Keating and Jon Worley.

Senior Brandon Hurt has the edge over last year’s starting quarterback, junior Neil Erisman. Hurt gained it simply because the senior was at camp this summer, while Erisman, who rushed for 818 yards and threw for another 417 last year, spent the summer wrestling.

Defensively, the Wildcats will have to make some upgrades if they want to be able to improve on last year’s record. And, like always, it begins up front.

Returning to the line, where they all have some starting experience, are Burton, Hall, Taylor Burnett and Danny Doherty.

Behind them, All-Kaw Valley League linebacker Alex Mercer returns for his senior campaign after leading the ‘Cats with 104 tackles, including 34 unassisted. Mercer was also the team leader with eight tackles for losses and had a sack and forced four fumbles.

Adam Faircloth, Ester and J. T. Thompson are all in a dead heat for the other spot.

“The guy who’s the best football player will win that job,” Scott said. “Whoever that is will be a better player because he was pushed by the other two.”

In the secondary, three-year starter Goleman returns at safety. Battling for the cornerback spots are Erisman, Jake Rupe, Shawn Roberts, Austin DeGraeve, Hurt and Jarod Bader.

The Wildcats have switched from the Kaw Valley League to the Frontier League and will open Friday against Osa-watomie.