Previews (in alphabetical order) by Seattle Times reporter John Boyle:

Edmonds-Woodway Warriors

Location: Edmonds

Coach: John Gradwohl (10th year), 42-42 record

2004: 8-3 overall, 7-2 league; lost to Evergreen (Vancouver) 42-7 in first round of state playoffs

Returning starters (3 offense, 3 defense): RB/LB Josh Heard, 6-1, 230, Jr.; TE/DE Casey Hamlett, 6-3, 230, Jr.; OL/DL Riley Stannard, 6-0, 235, Sr.

Other key returners: K/P/RB/LB Grady Harmon, 5-11, 185, Sr.; TE/LB Austin Kruse, 6-0, 220, Sr.; FB/LB Brandon Houghton, 6-0, 205, Sr.; OL/DL Alex Bird, 6-2, 235, Sr.; OL/DL Matt Anderson, 5-11, 200.

Outlook: Warriors bring back state's top kicker in Harmon. Look for Heard to have breakout year taking over where Travis Smith, last year's WesCo rushing leader, left off.

Everett Seagulls

Location: Everett

2004: 7-3, 6-3

Returning starters (10 offense, 9 defense): FB/LB Justin Boyce, 5-11, 215, Sr.; QB Bryce Levin, 6-3, 200, Sr.; RB/DB David Peoples, 5-9, 165, Sr.; SE/S Arrow Mests, 5-7, 160, Sr.; RB/LB Andrew Skorney, 5-7, 190, Sr.; RB/DB Erich Stahl, 5-9, 165, Sr.; C/DL Kenny Hudson, 5-8, 215, Sr.; TE/DL Kristian Caindoy, 5-11, 180, Sr.; OL/LB Tommy Andre, 5-11, 210, Sr.; TE/DL Alex Wertheimer, 6-4, 210, Sr.

Other key returners: FB/LB Andrew Stiger, 5-10, 180, Jr.; OL/DL Parker Burns, 6-1, 215, Jr.; OL/DL Cameron McKinnon, 6-1, 185, Jr.; RB/DB Jason Siler, 5-9, 170, Jr.

Impact newcomer: OL/DL Spencer Warfield, 6-4, 290, Sr.

Outlook: With several key seniors back, expectations are high. Boyce (1,066 rushing yards, 17 TDs) will play huge roles on both sides of ball.

Jackson Timberwolves

Location: Mill Creek

Coach: Joel Vincent (8th year), 35-31

2004: 7-3, 6-3

Returning starters (8 offense, 7 defense): QB/S Jake Gelakoska, 6-3, 200, Jr.; TE/LB Ryan Brown, 6-1, 225, Sr.; OL Chad Popham, 6-2, 295, Sr.; FL/S Kawika Emsley Pai, 6-0, 180, Jr.; WR/CB Kevin Salkey, 5-8, 165, Sr.; WR/LB Mike Santoro, 6-5, 202, Sr.; OL/DL Harrison Warner, 6-0, 215, Sr.; OL/DL Tyler Senter, 5-11, 185, Sr.

Other key returners: OL/LB Luke Watson, 6-0, 220, Jr.; OL/DL Hunter Spencer, 5-10, 220, Jr.; RB/DL Chris Petersen, 6-2, 205, Sr.; RB/LB Jacob Cabuag, 5-9, 180, Jr.; RB/CB Conor Gage, 5-8, 170, Jr.; RB/CB Ian Jensen, 5-9, 175, Jr.; OL/DL Tylor Rathbun, 5-11, 220, Jr.; OL/DL Travis Selby, 5-10, 230, Jr.; FB/LB Josh Cain, 5-10, 225, Jr.; OL/LB Luke McKinley, 5-10, 200, Jr.; WR/DB Billy Green, 6-0, 175, Jr.

Outlook: Jackson suffered a major blow when would-be starting RB/LB Travis Snider chose to sit out season and concentrate on baseball. Even so, Gelakoska leads strong team.

Kamiak Knights

Location: Mukilteo

Coach: Dan Mack (8th year), 58-17

2004: 8-4, 6-3; lost to Skyline 28-21 in state quarterfinals

Returning starters (5 offense, 3 defense): WR Rebel Hall, 6-1, 195, Sr.; OL/DL Josh McMillen, 6-3, 230, Sr.; Kyle Daughtery, 6-2, 250, Sr.; WR/S Ben Iddins, 6-2, 185, Jr.; RB Josh Reed, 5-10, 170, Sr.

Other key returners: QB Clayton Phillips, 5-11, 185, Sr.; RB/LB Kiefer Grundman-Brady, 5-10, 185, Sr.; RB/LB Brian Berg, 6-0, 195, Sr.; LB Dennis Suh, 5-11, 210, Sr.; LB Tom Hine, 6-1, 210, Sr.; OL/DL Paul Church, 5-11, 230, Sr.; WR/DB Jack Jones, 6-2, 180, Sr.

Impact newcomers: C Chris Dugovich, 5-10, 220, Jr.; LB J.J. Stewart, 6-1, 195, Jr.; LB Nick Searsorie, 6-0, 195, Jr.; RB Bryson Kelly, 6-1, 185, Jr.; DB Riley Henricks, 5-10, 175, Jr.

Outlook: New QB Phillips has strong group of receivers, led by returning all-state selection Hall (63 catches, 786 yards). Despite loss of several key players, Mack's squad has talent to make another run at state playoffs.

Lynnwood Royals

Location: Lynnwood

Coach: John Morris (1st year)

2004: 2-8, 1-8

Returning starters (7 offense, 8 defense): RB/DE Luke St. Marie, 6-0, 215, Sr.; C/DL A.J. Christian, 6-2, 220, Sr.; OL/DL Mike Clapper, 6-1, 250, Sr.; OL/LB Richard Crist, 6-0, 175, Sr.; WR/DB Aaron Simril, 6-0, 165, Sr.; WR/S Aldin Tirak, 5-11, 175, Sr.; S Derek Stong, 5-10, 165, Sr.; WR/LB Aaron Beatty, 5-11, 170, Sr.

Other key returners: WR Kellen Anable, 6-0, 155, Sr.; OL/LB Kyle Kinnard, 5-11, 195, Jr.; QB/S Gilbert Martin, 6-0, 195, Jr.

Impact newcomers: QB Andrew Beatty, 6-1, 170, So.; WR Samer Abou-Zaki, 5-9, 175, Jr.; OL/DL Daniel Chung, 5-11, 190, Jr.; LB Chris Gordon, 6-2, 220, So.; OL/DL David Harris, 6-0, 290, So.; LB Jeff Sheaffer, 5-10, 175, Jr.

Outlook: First-year coach Morris has big challenge, taking over program that last year snapped a 46-game losing streak. St. Marie (915 rushing yards in seven games) should get plenty of carries, but look for Royals to pass more than previous Lynnwood teams.

Mariner Marauders

Location: Everett

Coach: John Ondriezek (12th year), 75-43

2004: 5-5, 4-5

Returning starters (5 offense, 5 defense): DB/RB Raymond Fry, 5-8, 170, Sr.; OL/DL Josh Saga, OL/DL, 6-2, 220, Sr.; OL/DL Zak Rydzak, 5-8, 230, Jr.; RB/DB Jarred Grant, 6-1, 180, Jr.; OL/LB Spencer Rowland, 6-0, 205, Jr.

Other key returners: RB/DB Mwila Mwila, 5-10, 170, Sr.; WR/LB Mike Schamus, 5-11, 155, Jr.; OL/DL Tony Dao, 5-8, 190, Sr.

Outlook: Marauders will look to Fry to lead offense and defense with what Ondriezek calls "explosive speed." Lack of experience could hurt in tough division.

Meadowdale Mavericks

Location: Lynnwood

Coach: Mark Stewart (6th year), 28-23

2004: 8-3, 7-2; lost to Kamiak 49-28 in first round of state playoffs

Returning starters (3 offense, 3 defense): HB Kevin Kim, 5-6, 170, Sr.; C Alex Edwards, 6-3, 280, Sr.; TE Alex Romanyuk, 6-1, 185, Sr.; S Nick Tasche, 5-11, 165, Sr.; DB Dwayne Spruel-Pease, 5-9, 150, Sr.; LB Jason Park, 5-11, 200, Sr.

Other key returner: DL T.J. Rhodes, 5-11, 210, Jr.

Impact newcomers: QB Matt Johnson, 6-3, 185, Jr.; DL Nate Higgins, 6-4, 220, Jr.; OL Dustin Geveshausen, 6-2, 250, Jr.; S Mike Simonson, 6-1, 180, Sr.

Outlook: After tying for division title last year, Mavericks return only six starters. Despite lack of experience, Stewart believes Meadowdale has athletes to compete.

Mountlake Terrace Hawks

Location: Mountlake Terrace

Coach: Tony Umayam (2nd year), 2-8

2004: 2-8, 1-8

Returning starters (10 offense, 11 defense): RB/DB Carroll Powell, 6-0, 215, Sr.; OL/DL Dan Miyasato, 5-9, 250, Sr.; OL/LB Sam Harb, 6-2, 230, Sr.; QB/DB Anthony Rutherford, 5-9, 175, Sr.; DB/P Travis Parvin, 5-11, 180, Sr.; OL/LB Thomas Welch, 5-9, 210, Sr.; OL/DL Sean Yalowicki, 6-3, 270, Sr.; TE/DE Josh Carey, 6-2, 230, Sr.; TE/DE Isaiah Aiemalefoa, 6-2, 205, Jr.; WR/LB Eric Doyle, 6-1, 195, Jr.; WR/DB Morgan Hough, 5-9, 160, Jr.

Other key returners: WR/DB Michael Wiley, 6-1, 170, Jr.; OL/DL Bryan Crowe, 6-2, 220, Jr.; WR/DB Andrew Knudsen, 5-10, 165, Sr.

Impact newcomers: WR/DB Brad Balch, 6-3, 190, Sr.; WR/DB A.J. Baer, 5-11, 185, Sr.; QB Tony Ellersick, 6-1, 175, So.

Outlook: After 1-9 and 2-8 years, hopeful Hawks are more experienced. Powell (587 yards, 7 TDs) leads run game.

Shorecrest Scots

Location: Shoreline

Coach: Mike Wollan (5th year), 15-24

2004: 5-6, 4-5

Returning starters (6 offense, 6 defense): RB/DB Jesse Hoffman, 6-2, 200, Sr.; OL Todd Bellert, 6-1, 215, Sr.; OL Eric Hufnagel, 5-11, 190, Sr.; TE/DL Eric Carlson, 6-2, 205, Sr.; WR/DB Kevin Ramos, 5-11, 160, Jr.; RB/LB Grady Small, 5-8, 170, Jr.; DL Jas Domanski, 6-1, 205, Sr.; LB Riley Mahler, 5-11, 170, Sr.

Other key returners: QB/DB Chasen Gardner, 6-0, 175, Sr.; OL/LB Dan Trierweiler, 5-9, 205, Jr.; DL Duncan Anderson, 5-10, 160, Jr.; OL/DL Chris McCoy, 6-0, 250, Sr.

Impact newcomer: TE/DL Marek Domanski, 6-4, 220, So.

Outlook: Scots hung for a half with eventual Class 3A state runner-up Ferndale in a winner-to-state game last year. Hoffman is one of WesCo's best all-around athletes and biggest reason why this 3A school will be competitive in predominantly Class 4A league.

Shorewood Thunderbirds

Location: Shoreline

Coach: Paul Christianson (1st year)

2004: 4-6, 3-6

Returning starters (7 offense, 7 defense): OL/LB Richard Ledyard, 6-0, 210, Sr.; OL/DL Ryan Freitas, 6-2, 245, Sr.; C/DL Dan Nelson, 5-11, 235, Sr.; OL/DL Neal Slotvig, 6-1, 200, Sr.; TE/DL Jon Garcia, 6-1, 205, Sr.; WR/DB Devin Whittle, 6-2, 175, Jr.; WR/DB Chris Kearns, 6-1, 200, Sr.

Other key returners: OL/DL Michael Hampton, 6-2, 270, Jr.; FB/LB Mike Kirk, 5-11, 175, Sr.; RB/DB Taylor Williams, 5-11, 185, Sr.; FB/LB Kelley Neubauer, 6-1, 185, Jr.; QB/DB Tysen Allumbaugh, 5-11, 170, Jr.

Impact newcomers: OL/DL Ryan Will, 6-5, 345, Sr.; FB/LB Morgan Marchant, 6-0, 180, Jr.

Outlook: First-year coach Christianson makes WesCo division switch from North (Mount Vernon) to South. T-Birds bring back experienced line, need to prove themselves at skill positions. Team speed, athleticism are plusses.