Pahranagat Valley Capsule Preview

Coach: Ken Higbee (14th year)

2007 record: 9-2 (4-0 Southern League)

Returning starters: Three offense, three defense

Returning letterwinners: 16

Top players: RB/LB Brady Whipple (Sr.), QB/CB Taylor Poulsen (Sr.), FB/DT Chase Leavitt (Sr.), RB/LB Jay Leavitt (Jr.)

Top newcomers: C/DE David Hicks (Sr.), DE/LB Ivan Covarrubias (Sr.), DE/CB Dustin Poulsen (Jr.), OL/DE Kenyon Walch (Jr.), OL/DE Brandon Miller (Jr.), RB/DL Jensen Jones (So.), DE/LB Kale Leavitt (So.), QB/CB Cody Hosier (So.), OL/DL Roy Lasike (So.)

Key losses: RB/LB Jared Wadsworth, DE/CB Kenny Turley, OL/DE Colton Higbee, DE Cord Higbee, DE Ryan Hatch, OL/LB Nathan Whipple, C Brandon Stirling

Base offensive set: I-Form

Base defensive set: 4-4

Outlook: The Panthers' success will depend on how much their offensive line can improve, Ken Higbee said.

Team captains Brady Whipple, Poulsen, Hicks and Chase Leavitt will be relied upon for senior leadership, Ken Higbee said.

Brady Whipple (851 yards), Jay Leavitt (408) and Chase Leavitt (362) made for a three-pronged ground attack last year, and all three return.