An already rugged conference adds powerful Totino-Grace and welcomes back emerging Elk River. The 12 teams will be split into two divisions: North and West. Physical football will be the common thread.

NORTH DIVISION

ANOKA TORNADOES

Coach: Jeff Buerkle

2011 record: 9-2

• Graduation decimated the defending conference champions. Only three starters return and none on offense who touched the ball with any regularity. But Buerkle likes his team's speed.

BLAINE BENGALS

Coach: Thomas Develice

2011 record: 8-3

• Develice is the Bengals' new head coach but hardly a new face. The former offensive coordinator has been on staff 15 years. Likewise, his quarterback will be new, but the spread offense remains. The athletic Alex Copa is expected to trigger the attack.

CENTENNIAL COUGARS

Coach: Mike Diggins

2011 record: 6-4

• A brutal schedule, including defending big-school champion Eden Prairie, offers a daunting test every week. With seven seniors on offense -- four on the offensive line -- and a young but fast defense, the Cougars should be up to the challenge.

CHAMPLIN PARK REBELS

Coach: Mike Korton

2011 record: 5-5

• Now two years removed from their most recent winning season, the Rebels hope to push their way back to the upper echelon. Senior running back Michael Sales is one of six returning starters on offense. The defense features at least one veteran player at each of the three levels.

COON RAPIDS CARDINALS

Coach: Jon Young

2011 record: 2-7

• The Cardinals' bid for resurgence starts with offensive linemen Steve Braschayko (all-conference) and Max Polson (honorable mention) providing protection and clearing holes. Veteran linebackers James Aase and Jake Bruner and defensive back Jordan Rayford form the defense's core.

MAPLE GROVE CRIMSON

Coach: Matt Lombardi

2011 record: 4-6

• Strong up front and featuring some polished skill players, the Crimson offense should be more productive. The defense lacks experience, but Lombardi, architect of Wayzata's three championship defenses, will help the unit develop.

WEST DIVISION

ANDOVER HUSKIES 

Coach: Rich Wilkie

2011 record: 1-8

 • The Huskies boast 13 returning starters but must develop an inexperienced offensive line. Wilkie projects a strong showing from his defense, with seven veterans. "We should be as tough as we've ever been stopping opponents," he said.

ARMSTRONG FALCONS

Coach: Dave Frisell

2011 record: 3-6

• New coach Frisell has called the Falcons' program a "sleeping giant." The former Mankato East coach will rely on his son, Quinn, a junior quarterback who posted 13 TDs and more than 1,300 passing yards, to spark an offense that averaged less than two TDs per game last season.

ELK RIVER ELKS 

Coach: Steve Hamilton

2011 record: 6-3

• Hamilton lauds his team for having the "most depth we have had in years" and "much more team speed than last year." The Elks return after a two-year stint in the Mississippi 8 Conference. Tight end Jordan Meyer and linebacker Bryan Edwards are all-conference players.

OSSEO ORIOLES

Coach: Derrin Lamker

2011 record: 9-2

• Running back Bridgeport Tusler will drive the Orioles offense toward big gains. Lamker called his team "small but fast" and inexperienced, with only three starters back on each side of the ball. But he expects the Orioles to "compete and be much better by midseason."

PARK CENTER PIRATES

Coach: Rickey Foggie

2011 record: 0-9

• The Pirates must find ways to score; they averaged 9.9 points per game. The remedy could be found in six returning starters on offense, and Foggie, a former Gophers quarterback, said, "Our strengths are at our skill positions."

TOTINO-GRACE EAGLES 

Coach: Jeff Ferguson

2011 record: 11-2

• Strong coaching and smart, athletic players should put the Northwest Suburban newcomers in West Division title contention. But Ferguson is taking a measured approach. "We have to have some kids overachieve, and we can't have any kids who underachieve," he said.

DAVID LA VAQUE