The difference between another year of finishing in the middle of the pack in the Mt. Hamilton Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League, where the Longhorns finished in sixth place last season, and contending for the title might just be the year of experience that the Longhorns have under their belts.

"The 2004 team is stocked with a handful of players who can make big plays," Thomas said. "This year's team has a chance to be special."

One of those players who can make the big plays and got some of that valuable experience last year is senior Kiel Trudeau, who returns as the starting quarterback. At 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, Trudeau is big enough to fire the ball over rushing defensive linemen and also run over a few when necessary.

Trudeau is "one of the top quarterbacks in the Central Coast Section" and was selected as the 2003 co-Junior of the Year in the Mt. Hamilton Division and finished the year as the No. 2 rated passer in the CCS.

Trudeau lost his favorite target with the graduation of Tom Bingham and Thomas needs to find a replacement to keep the offensive wheels turning at optimum speed. That could turn out to be senior wide receiver Matt Hoffman (6-foot-2, 180), who missed six games in 2003 due to injuries but has the talent to snag the bullets Trudeau will be firing. Hoffman is healthy for the 2004 campaign and anxious to make up for lost time.

Senior tight end Brian Wendt (6-foot-3, 215), who was No. 2 in team receptions last year, could step in and figure prominently in the Longhorns' offense as well. However, Wendt will be splitting his playing time on both sides of the ball since he led the Longhorns in tackles last year from his linebacker spot and was selected as a first team all-leaguer for his efforts.

Wendt will be the cornerstone—along with returning letterman senior linebacker Mike Edwards (5-foot-9, 185)—of a Longhorn defense that hopes to shut down opponents and give Trudeau and company the opportunity to put points on the scoreboard.

Senior fullback Jon Brown (5-foot-10, 210) will be a key element in the success of Leigh's offensive effort. Brown led the team in scoring and rushing last year and was second in total offense and all-purpose yards. That was good enough to catch the attention of opposing coaches and earn him a second team all-league selection as a running back. The rushing load will be shared by senior running back Mark Carlotta (5-foot-9, 175), who also provides a good target out of the backfield for Trudeau.

Senior Andy Holloway (5-foot-11, 185) rounds out the group of returning lettermen and will see double duty in 2004. He will have the opportunity to grab some passes from his wide receiver post and be part of a solid pass defense as a defensive back.

Even though Thomas is encouraged by the depth of experience and talent that he has returning, there are still holes to fill in order for the Longhorns to move up in the tough Mt. Hamilton Division. He is counting on a corps of sophomores coming up from the junior varsity to provide that on both sides of the line. These include offensive linemen Alex Collins (5-foot-11, 265), Eric Lutz (6-foot, 240) and P.J. Velasquez (5-foot-11, 240), running back Daniel Franke (5-foot-9, 170), and quarterback Doug Webster (6-foot-1, 170).

The 2003 version of the Longhorns completed the season at 4-6 overall, including a 3-4 mark and a sixth-place finish in the Mt. Hamilton Division. Thomas had anticipated a better result than that but injuries and a few breaks that went the wrong way turned the tide.

It was in 1995 that Leigh last claimed a football title when it won the Mt. Hamilton Division championship, but Thomas is optimistic that the drought could end in 2004. It will be a tough road to travel and Thomas sees perennial powerhouse and contender Oak Grove as the team to beat once again as the Eagles defend their 2003 crown.

Leigh will get a test early with the opportunity to see how this year's team can measure up to stiff competition when it opens up on the road against Saratoga on Sept. 10. Saratoga was the 2003 champion of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League El Camino Division and always fields a solid squad.

The Longhorns will not have any chance to get their feet wet in league play before they discover how they match up against Oak Grove since they face the Eagles in their Mt. Hamilton Division opener at home on Oct. 1. A win over the Eagles or even a good showing against a tough opponent like Oak Grove could put the Longhorns on the road to a solid league performance.