2006 Season: 8-4 (3-2, tie-2nd North East Michigan Conference); lost in regional final playoff game

Head Coach: Andrew Pratley

Head Coaching Experience: 4th year (19-13, two playoff appearances)

Basic Offensive Set: Veer

Basic Defensive Set: 4-2-5

Returning Starters: Michael Noffsinger, sr., (WR/DB); Trevor Zettel, sr., (RB/LB); Gio Roberto, sr., (WR); Tyson Dantzer, sr., (OL); Kyle Shelley, sr., (OL/DL); Carl Worthy, sr. (LB); Josh Erickson, sr., (OL); Josh Jameson, sr., (DB); Evan Zimmerman, sr. (DB); Anthony Betancourt, sr., (DB); Kyle James, sr., (DL); Alex Rose, jr., (WR/DE); Andrew Funsch, jr., (LB)

Outlook: On one hand, thrill-a-minute quarterback Matt Faiman has graduated. On the other, nearly all of Ogemaw Heights' other starters return, and while the Falcons may look a little different on offense, Ogemaw coach Andrew Pratley isn't looking back.

His team can't afford to, either, if they want to repeat last year's playoff run that came within a heartbeat of the state semifinals. Nearly every team on their schedule – which starts with superpower Flint Powers on Aug. 24 and includes six playoff teams and a Gaylord squad that had been in for five of the previous six seasons – returns most of its key players as well.

“It's an extremely tough schedule,” Pratley says. “Seven perennial playoff teams, and Pinconning which played everyone tough last year. We don't expect that any of those teams will drop down. There won't be any bye weeks.”

This Falcon team, though, could be as prepared as any to face that week-in, week-out gauntlet. Seven offensive starters and 10 defensive starters return, giving Ogemaw plenty of experience and depth.

Defensively, the lone graduated starter was middle linebacker Scott Kimball, but Carl Worthy will be filling those shoes, having started on the line the past two years. Returning starters Andrew Funsch and Trevor Zettel will round out the linebacking corps.

The secondary – Josh Jameson, Evan Zimmerman, Anthony Betancourt and Michael Noffsinger – returns intact, while Kyle James, Kyle Shelley and Alex Rose all return on the defensive line.

“We'll add a few new wrinkles; you always have to adjust things from year to year,” Pratley says. “But mainly it's a matter of just getting better, stronger, faster and reacting quicker.”

Senior Kevin O'Neil takes over the starting quarterback job. He saw some time there last year when Faiman would split out to wide receiver on selected plays and brings and brings a different skill set to the table.

“Matt was a great athlete that just made things happen,” Pratley says. “Kevin's a great technician, runs the offense like we haven't seen in a few years, is a great leader and makes great decisions with the football.”

Lining up behind O'Neil will be Zettel and Noffsinger at running back, with Gio Roberto and Alex Rose returning at the receiver positions. Center Kyle Shelley, tackle Tyson Dantzer and guard Josh Erickson return to anchor the offensive line.

If the Falcons can squeeze at least six wins out of their schedule, they should again be well-prepared for whatever they might face in the playoffs.

“A lot of these (seniors) have been up with us since they were sophomores,” Pratley says. “They know what to expect. But with our schedule, we can't even look ahead to competing for the NEMC title. We just have to look at each step as we take it.

“So right now, our goal is to play well against Flint Powers."