After winning or sharing three straight West Catholic Athletic League titles from 1995 to 1997, the Bells have missed the playoffs only one year since then. In 2003, they advanced to the second round in the CCS Division I playoffs. The combination of playing in the always tough WCAL and fielding a group of inexperienced players could present Janda a challenge to keep that tradition alive.

"We are a very young team this year with only two defensive and three offensive starters returning," Janda said.

Out of 10 WCAL all-league selections in 2003, only senior John Gill (6-foot-4, 290 pounds) returns. Gill will anchor part of the offensive line. Helping provide a foundation up front will be returning starter junior Tim Dancer (6-foot-3, 270).

"One of our strengths is that we have two returning starters on the offensive line," the coach said.

That experience on the offensive line could prove to be invaluable to the success of the Bells this year. Bellarmine lost a lot of pop at the running back slot to graduation and may have to depend on a strong offensive line to generate a consistent ground game until the offensive backfield is solidified. Senior fullback David Abraham (5-foot-7, 183) is the lone returning starter in the backfield and looks to ramble through the holes opened up by that line.

Janda sees the major weaknesses of the 2004 Bells as being "quite a bit inexperienced in the backfield and on defense." The defense will be bolstered by the return of starters senior Steve McGovern (6-foot-1, 188) at cornerback and junior Jalal Beauchman (6-foot-4, 190) at safety.

Janda will be counting on a number of players that have been waiting in the wings to step up and fill some crucial roles both offensively and defensively.

Junior Matt Zuniga (5-foot-11, 170) is a strong candidate to earn the start at quarterback. Zuniga will be flinging passes in the direction of wide receivers senior Kevin Madden (6-foot-2, 176), senior Blaze Silberman (6-foot, 182) and senior Jon Yee (6-foot-1, 175). This trio could also see action in the defensive backfield.

Battling for opportunities to log some time carrying the pigskin will be running backs junior Joe Borromeo (5-foot-8, 176) and seniors Andrew Robb (6-foot, 187) and Hiroaki Rodriguez (6-foot, 179). Robb and Borromeo combined for more than 325 yards rushing and each scored a touchdown in Bellarmine's season opener, a 30-0 win over North Monterey County last Friday night.

Robb and Rodriguez will also be called upon to meet opposing runners from their linebacker spots as well.

Digging in to anchor the lines will be seniors Robert Woblesky (6-foot, 213), Eric Jauch (6-foot, 202) and Tyler Anthony (6-foot-3, 270).