NEWARK YELLOW JACKETS (9-4, 5-2 Flight A)

The Yellow Jackets reached the D-I title game last year, before falling to Salesianum 28-0. The loss ended their all-time record 15-game playoff win streak. Since the start of the 1996 season, the Yellow Jackets have posted a remarkable 105-14 record and won seven of their record 10 state titles.

OFFENSE: Only two starters return from a unit that ranked third in D-I in scoring with an average of 29.2 points per game. Among the losses was 2005 state rushing champion James Snider, who racked up 1,568 yards and scored 21 touchdowns.

Offsetting the loss of Snider at TB will be the return of promising sophomore Brandon Norwood, who rushed for 364 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman. Norwood also stars in the classroom with a 3.8 GPA. "He's a naturally strong player that really works at it," Head coach Butch Simpson said. "He's a great student and he has a great future that goes beyond Newark High School. He's a very focused, determined young man and he's at his best in big games." Sophomore Kendall Daniels will also figure into the mix at TB. The FB spot will be manned by senior Dwayne Simon, sophomore Kenny Chandler and junior Isaiah Fleming. Chandler's father, also named Ken, was an All-Sate running back at Newark in the 1980's. Fleming will play primarily at the wing and in the slot, but he's likely to line up at FB in short yardage situations. Matt Morelli and Floyd Joynes are two more players that could figure in at FB.

The Yellow Jackets must replace two-year starter Steve Williams at QB. Seniors Jared Keith, Joe Spencer, and sophomore Chris Cummings will compete for the job.

Sophomore Shaun Thomas and senior Cameron Johnson will step in at WR, following the graduation of Shane Boyd and Mike Neal. Simpson likes what he sees in Thomas. "He's an All-State track guy and he was on the field on offense and defense last year," Simpson said. "Shaun is an exceptional athlete and he has a chance to be special." The tight end spot is wide-open entering camp, but junior Jason Babbitt could be in line for the job.

The offensive line will be led by the only two returning starters on offense, first team All-State guard Joe Pfitzenmeyer, the unit's lone senior, and second-team All-Conference guard Chad Davis, who will switch to tackle. "Pfitzenmeyer is just a very fine athlete," Simpson said. "Davis is a big-time workout guy and he commands respect." Andrew Hudson will move in at center, while Bryan Perkins and Marc Tiberi, will slide in at tackle and guard, respectively. Depth will be provided by three sophomores, David Grimes, Levi Moore and Joe Wicks.

DEFENSE: The Yellow Jackets allowed just 12.9 points per game last season and they held seven opponents to eight points or less, but only two starters return.

Up front, Pfitzenmeyer and Tiberi will start at the ends, while Davis and Perkins will start at the tackle spots. Headlining a long list of players that could find themselves either starting or in the rotation are Babbitt, Jaleel Gardner, Chad Kerr, Kevin Selden, Joynes and Malcolm Bunche.

Fleming led the team in tackles at inside linebacker last season and he should contend for All-State honors in 2006. "He has great natural instincts," Simpson said. "He does things you can't teach." Joining Fleming at linebacker will be Simon, Keith, who played on the outside last year, and Chandler, who played on the inside. "They all saw significant time last year," Simpson said. "They've been through the battles." Moore will lead a list of candidates competing for the fourth starting spot at LB.

The entire secondary was lost to graduation, but Thomas returns after seeing significant time last year. Dontae McClain, Leroi Washington, and Andrew Young will be counted on to step in and contribute immediately.

SPECIAL TEAMS: This is one of the team's strongest positions with the return of junior kicker-punter Alex Carlton. "We're very blessed to have a guy like Alex with two years left," Simpson said. "He has a great work ethic and he's always striving toward being the best he can possibly be." The return unit should also be dangerous with players like Thomas and Norwood among the candidates ready to step in.

OUTLOOK: This is a young team with only 11 seniors, so much will be required of the somewhat untested sophomore and junior classes if the Yellow Jackets are going to reach the title game for the eleventh time in the last 12 years. "Our youth is nice, but we just have a lot of unknowns right now," Simpson said. "We have a lot of guys that will move from the freshman team last season straight into varsity action. We won't have the luxury of easing them in, because we have to be ready to play Salesianum on opening night."