Agoura Chargers

Last season's results: (Tied for 4th in Marmonte, 7-4 overall). Agoura's 2005 season was a rollercoaster ride. The Chargers beat Buena, Camarillo and Rio Mesa to start the year, but followed the fast start by losing three of their first four league games. With their backs against the wall and in danger of missing the playoffs, AHS defeated Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley and Calabasas to qualify for the postseason. In the first round of the playoffs, the Chargers lost a heartbreaker to Camarillo, 16-14, on a last-second field goal.

Notable returnees: Eric Wells, sr., LB/RB (46 tackles, 5 sacks); Scott Beth, sr., OL/DL; Matt Bradley, sr., LB/RB/PK (44 tackles); Aric Duran, sr., WR; Adam Fish, sr., DL; Josh Irvin, sr., WR/SS (313 rushing yards, 5 TDs); Austen Jesse, sr., CB (27 tackles); Jake Rivkin, sr., OT; Matt McGinnis, jr., RB/LB (185 rushing yards, 3 TDs); Brady Smith, sr., OL/DL Impact newcomer: Kevin Graf, soph., OL/DL Who they play: The Chargers open the season on the road against Ventura (Sept. 8). Agoura then gets Camarillo (Sept. 15) and Rio Mesa (Sept. 21) at home in consecutive weeks. If AHS can overcome three straight road games to open the Marmonte schedule-Simi Valley (Sept. 29), Newbury Park (Oct. 6) and Moorpark (Oct. 13)-they should be in good shape heading down the backstretch of the league calendar. On Oct. 27, AHS hosts longtime rival Westlake, a team they haven't beaten since 1995. Get your tickets early for that one.

Overview: Agoura's air-it-out offense of years past will take a backseat this season as head coach Charlie Wegher promises to implement a smashmouth running game and option attack to complement the team's four wide receiver sets.

Taking over for departed quarterback Dominick Huerta will be senior Jordan Arias. While filling in for an injured Huerta last year, Arias completed 5-of-16 passes for 65 yards and a touchdown. While his arm strength might not be on par with Huerta, Arias is niftier on his feet.

Agoura's strength is in its offensive and defensive lines, where big bodies are abundant. A trio of starting linebackers-Wells, McGinnis and Bradley- will also share running back duties, with Wells as the likely starter. They'll be a physical bunch of ball carriers.

Bradley has the unenviable task of replacing J.T. Wright as the team's place kicker. The Chargers finished minus seven in turnover differential a year ago. They must reverse that trend to compete for a league championship in '06.

In a nutshell: With 13 starters returning, including seven on defense, and 28 seniors on the roster, Agoura has the look of a team that can advance deep into the postseason. Don't expect to see a lot of shootouts, however, because this team's built to win games in the trenches.