This league seems to become more balanced each year. The past four have produced four different champions: LeSueur-Henderson (2008), Belle Plaine (2009), Holy Family (2010) and Norwood Young America (2011).
Four also is the number of teams predicted by coaches to garner the league title this year. Even unfamiliar Tri-City United (cooperative program between Montgomery-Lonsdale and Le Center) was in the mix.
Coach: Justin Johnston
2011 record: 7-3
• Talented players return from last year's squad that tied for second place. Three-year starter Jayden Howie is back at quarterback. The senior has top receivers in senior wide receiver Nick Eliason (6-0, 150) and junior tight end Gavin Dauwalter (6-5, 240). Dauwalter is also a dominating defensive end. A solid junior class should make up for a small senior group.
Coach: Craig Albers
2011 record: 0-9
• The Hubmen don't want another year like last season, and 2012 should be better. They are more athletic at skill positions, which should improve their competitiveness. Albers has four offensive starters and seven defensive starters back. Line play will be the key on both sides of the ball.
Coach: Mike May
2011 record: 8-3
• May enters his first season at the helm of the Giants with few experienced players. Just two starters return on offense and three on defense, all linemen. He has some talented kids at the skilled positions, but a lack of experience is a concern.
Coach: Dean Aurich
2011 record: 6-4
• Aurich knows success, compiling a career record of 161-79. To stay at that level this year, the Crusaders must remain healthy. The smallest school in the conference has only 36 players in grades nine through 12. They include six starters back on offense and seven on defense. Line development on both sides of the ball will be key to their fate.
Coach: Paul Henn
2011 record: 9-2
• Henn has only one starter returning on each side of the ball from a senior-dominated group. Senior defensive lineman Sam Newbloom (6-2, 250) might be the conference's best player. Henn will be counting on his defense until his offensive unit gets going. There's talent and depth, but it's inexperienced.
Coach: Chuck Hartman
2011 record: 5-5
• The Wolverines, who finished at .500 a year ago, want to climb into the top half of the conference standings. They have only seven returning starters (four on offense, three on defense). Junior linebacker Ben White, who led the team in tackles last year, anchors the defense.
Coach: Ken Helland
2011 record: 2-7 (Montgomery-Lonsdale)
• The Titans embark on their first season as a cooperative program between Le Center and Montgomery-Lonsdale. An impressive 79 players in grades nine through 12 reported for practice. Helland will try to make up for a lack of size with the best team speed he has had since becoming the Le Center coach 13 years ago.
Coach: Craig Johnson
2011 record: 3-6
• Johnson's squad looks to move up in the conference with 20 seniors on this year's roster. He has speed at quarterback in senior Nick Tschida and size at receiver in senior Mark Sandquist and junior Luke Sandquist (both 6-4, 190). His biggest task will be replacing all five offensive linemen. The defense will be improved with five starters returning.
RON HAGGSTROM