Baldwin

Head coach: Mike Berg

2005 record: 9-2

2005 posteason: Lost to Chanute, 13-7 in overtime, in second round of Class 4A state playoffs

About the Bulldogs: Baldwin showed itself to be arguably the most complete 4A team in the area last fall, its only setbacks coming against 5A power Paola and in its overtime playoff loss. While some key skill players are gone, Berg has the luxury of plugging in senior signal caller Blake Weiden, who is battle-tested after filling in for the injury-plagued Jeremy Wright each of the last two postseasons.

De Soto

Head coach: Brad Scott

2005 record: 5-4

2005 posteason: Did not qualify

About the Wildcats: The 2005 campaign ended on a huge downer for De Soto, which saw its 4-1 start and place in a number of high school football polls quickly disappear with a 1-3 skid to close the season. The Wildcats must develop greater consistency on both side of the ball if they hope to survive a tough district that also includes Baldwin and Eudora.

Eudora

Head coach: Gregg Webb

2005 record: 8-2

2005 posteason: Lost to Louisburg, 44-30, in opening round of Class 4A state playoffs

About the Cardinals: Eudora again should be the favorite in the smaller division of the Frontier League. Webb loves to play physical football, so the return of four starters on the offensive line and three starters among the defensive front seven bodes well for Eudora. The question mark comes in finding the skill players who can put all that experienced beef up front to good use.

McLouth

Head coach: Harry Hester

2005 record: 10-1

2005 posteason: Lost to Silver Lake, 21-8, in second round of Class 3A state playoffs

About the Bulldogs: The rebuilding job is officially over at McLouth, where Hester has transformed a perennial doormat into a dominant program in just three seasons. The big question now is whether the Bulldogs have the right pieces in place to stay there. Hester’s No. 1 task is finding the heir apparent to tailback Kevin Stewart – last season’s All-Area Player of the Year.

Mill Valley

Head coach: George Radell

2005 record: 2-7

2005 posteason: Did not qualify

About the Jaguars: Despite boasting the biggest enrollment in the Kaw Valley League, Mill Valley couldn’t translate those numbers into success last fall, faltering after a 2-1 start by dropping its final six contests. However, a rebound certainly appears in order, due in large part to tailback Justin Woods, last year’s double state champ in the Class 5A 100 and 200 meters who has committed to play football at Kansas State in 2007.

Oskaloosa

Head coach: Brad Reed

2005 record: 2-7

2005 posteason: Did not qualify

About the Bears: The goal for Reed last fall in his first season of double duty as Oskaloosa’s high school principal and head football coach was simply to bring a glimmer of success to the downtrodden program. That mission was accomplished with a pair of victories and a wealth of playing time for numerous underclassmen. A year older and wiser, the Bears hope to take the next step in their turnaround and turn in competitive efforts each week.

Ottawa

Head coach: Pat Boeh

2005 record: 3-6

2005 posteason: Did not qualify

About the Cyclones: After opening the 2005 campaign with two straight victories, the bottom fell out for Ottawa. The biggest problem was a leaky defense that surrendered more than 40 points on five occasions. The Cyclones must develop consistency on both sides of the ball in preparation for a tough 2006 district slate that includes Blue Valley and Blue Valley West.

Perry-Lecompton

Head coach: Mike Paramore

2005 record: 8-2

2005 posteason: Lost to Lansing, 31-28, in opening round of Class 4A state playoffs

About the Kaws: Last fall proved to be a breakthrough at Perry-Lecompton, where a strong senior class rattled off eight straight wins before dropping its final two games by a combined six points. While he must replace his entire offensive backfield, Paramore is confident the sudden success can be duplicated by newcomers who have combined to finish 17-1 at the JV level the last two seasons.

Santa Fe Trail

Head coach: Curtis Lilly

2005 record: 2-7

2005 posteason: Did not qualify

About the Chargers: Santa Fe Trail will be the lone area team with a change at the top this fall as Lilly takes over for Dave Watkins, who gave up his coaching duties to focus on his role as the Chargers’ athletic director. Lilly must find a way to shore up a defense that surrendered an average of 29.7 ppg last fall.

Tonganoxie

Head coach: Mark Elston

2005 record: 9-2

2005 posteason: Lost to Topeka Hayden, 41-0, in second round of Class 4A state playoffs

About the Chieftains: It’s a classic good news/bad news scenario for Tonganoxie at the outset of the 2006 campaign. On one hand, the Chieftains return four starters on offense – including quarterback Jeff Hughes and the bulk of their run-oriented backfield – and six starters on defense. However, both the offensive line and linebacking corps were decimated by graduation.

Wellsville

Head coach: Bill Oshel

2005 record: 7-4

2005 posteason: Lost to Galena, 35-16, in second round of Class 3A state playoffs

About the Eagles: Wellsville found the perfect time finally to start playing consistent football last fall, closing the regular season with three straight district victories and adding a playoff win against Humboldt before falling to unbeaten Galena. Defense was the key to last season’s turnaround, as the Eagles allowed less than 6.0 ppg during that stretch. Such stinginess could come in handy in 2006 against a handful of high-powered Frontier League offenses.