This will be the programs' first year playing at the varsity level. The Titans will play all of their home games on the turf at Caravel's Bob Peoples Stadium this season. They showed signs of promise in 2006, compiling a 6-5-1 overall record while playing a mixed junior varsity and freshman schedule.

The man in charge of building the program is second-year head coach Rahsaan Matthews. As a player, Matthews was one of the state's all-time greatest quarterbacks, leading William Penn to the 1995 D-I state championship and later starring at Delaware State, where he is still the program's all-time leading passer. Matthews was also the MEAC Player of the Year in 2000 when he tied Florida State's Chris Weinke, the Heisman Trophy winner, for the national lead with 32 touchdown passes.

OFFENSE: The Titans will run a wide-open spread offense and Matthews says "he loves to pass", so they should be an entertaining team to watch.

They have two options at quarterback, with Darrell Miller-Smith and Ian Pyle bringing different dimensions to the table. "Miller-Smith played a lot of defense last year and he's a very good athlete," Matthews said. "He can run the option, roll out and get to the edge. He throws the mid-range passes well too, and he can run if he gets in trouble. Pyle is more of a pocket type passer. He can throw the ball downfield."

With the emphasis on passing the ball, receivers Brian Norman, Paul Frame, John May, Emmett Richardson and tight end D.J. Aspinwall could put up some big numbers this year. Matthews likes the potential of Norman. "He could be a first team All-State caliber player by the end of his junior year," Matthews said. "He has a wingspan and hands like a six-seven guy. I think he's going to make some noise this year." Frame had 25 catches on J.V. last year and he's proven dangerous on the fade, while Richardson might be the team's best all-around athlete. "Richardson is athletic and we'll find ways to get him the ball," Matthews said.

At running back, the Titans return Jerome Smith, who rushed for 802 yards and eight touchdowns in eight games last year. "Smith is a slasher with excellent quickness," Matthews said. "He's very talented and he improved his speed during the summer." Tommy Andrews, Kyle Rivers and Nelson Roland will figure into the mix at running back as well.

The three mainstays on the offensive line will be tackles Kevin Stephens and Brandon Summers and guard Kalup Knox. "We're confident with those three, but we have to look for two guys in camp," Matthews said. Stephens, a 6-foot-4, 290-pound sophomore, was the "staple" up front in 2006 according to Matthews, and Knox had an impressive offseaseon, finishing as the number two ranked linemen at a camp at Delaware State. "Knox was a fullback last year, but we're moving him to guard. He really impressed the coaches." The starting center job was up for grabs heading into camp, but Dustin Dash and Zach Martin could be factors at the guard spot.

DEFENSE: The Titans will either play a 4-4 or 3-5-3 system this season.

On the line, Matthews expects big things from nose tackle Nate McDonald. "Nate is very committed and he's worked hard in the weight room," Matthews said. "He can wear opposing centers down and he's quick enough to cause problems in the backfield. He was also his class president." The other tackle spot will be filled by Stevens, with Aspinwall potentially starting at defensive end.

Knox will line up at inside linebacker along with Dash. Martin, Andrews and Zach Southerland are candidates to start at outside linebacker and if Miller-Smith doesn't start at quarterback, he'll probably play 48 minutes here.

There's speed at defensive back, with cornerbacks Christian Ross, Richardson and Rivers, and Smith and May at safety. "They're all pretty decent size kids, so we should be alright. Ross has been a workaholic in the weight room and he's an amateur boxer," Matthews said. "There's no doubt he's tough."

SPECIAL TEAMS: Aspinwall handled the punting and kickoffs last season and he's hit from 35 yards in practice, but the Titans went for two-points on every conversion last season. On returns, Rivers and Andrews could be the go-to guys. "Rivers is shifty and fast," Matthews said. "Those two are pretty fast and they both run hard."

OUTLOOK: They look to be a team of the future, with 26 sophomores on their roster, but life will be difficult for such a young program in the tough Flight B Conference. Considering their youth and inexperience, a 3-7 record would be an accomplishment. Anything more would be icing on the cake.

"We want to try to get better every week," Matthews said. "We won't go into one game as the favorite. We're going to have to execute at every level, because every team we play will be bigger, stronger and faster than us. But I believe our system can keep us in some games. Defenses struggle against the pass at this level. We need to establish ourselves as a mentally tough team and let people know that we'll be a challenge. The kids understand it will be an uphill battle and that they can't get discouraged. As coaches, we need to instill a winning attitude, but it will take time."