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For nearly 20 years, Magruder alumnus Shawn Prather has been a fixture for the school's football program. Coaches and players have come and gone, but Prather has always remained the one constant on and off the field.

He played under Roy Lester during the Colonels' heyday in the mid-1980s and returned as an assistant coach in 1994. He has seen most of the highs and lows that the program has experienced.

So when Prather was rewarded with the head coaching job this spring, he had one thing on his mind: Fundamentals. After years of watching Magruder teams underperform, he wanted to emphasize the "little things" during two-a-days and ensure that his players knew exactly how to do all the basics correctly.

"I think we are progressing pretty well," said Prather, who won a state championship as a player in 1984. "Every day, we build on fundamentals and character. It's been a tough preseason for us. I'm making it tough for them, but the kids have done a good job."

While Prather's ultimate goal is to bring back the state championship pedigree (the Colonels have just one playoff appearance to their credit since the 1980s) he knows the rebuilding process will take time.

"One of our goals this year is to have a better record than last year," Prather said. "Of course getting to the playoffs and starting a new season there; but 5-5 would be realistic and anything else is a bonus for us."

Several of Prather's former pupils have come back to coach under him, including line coach Ray Fowle (Class of 2004) and quarterback/offensive assistant Mitch Levine ('06).

"Words can't describe how excited I really am," Prather said. "But I'm pretty sure I'm more excited because of the coaching staff around me. I enjoy being with them and the kids. The coaching staff helps me keep my composure because they are friends and former players of mine."

Speed is the name of the game for the Colonels' offense this year, with the foundation being a quartet of seniors. Running back Marquis Morgan (1,124 yards, seven touchdowns in 2008) will be the focal point of the offense, while quarterback Griffin Eldridge will look to take the pressure off by throwing to wingback Kendall Talbert and wideout Lawerance Miller, the most athletic Colonel.

Seniors Oswaldo Velasquez and Jharol Smith will lead the troops in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Linebacker/fullback Keith Levine, who has become the unquestioned vocal leader, provides toughness on both sides of the ball.

"We've got to work harder for Damascus," Levine said. "We are making a lot of mental mistakes. [Prather] has 96 formations he wants to put out there. …

"We are looking forward to going to the playoffs. Coach has even said we are the most talented group in speed and size he's seen here in 18 years. He has lots of expectations for us."

Magruder

Head coach: Shawn Prather, 1st year

League: Montgomery 4A East

Last year's record: 4-6

Last playoff appearance: 2007 (5th)

Last state title: 1986 (2nd)

Players to watch: RB Marquis Morgan, LB/FB Keith Levine

2008 results

Sept. 5 — Sherwood (L), 42-6

Sept. 12 — Watkins Mill (W), 14-12

Sept. 19 — Springbrook (L), 16-13

Sept. 26 — Quince Orchard (L), 35-14

Oct. 3 — Blair (W), 12-7

Oct. 10 — Damascus (L), 41-19

Oct. 17 — Churchill (W), 10-7

Oct. 24 — Wootton (L), 37-20

Oct. 31 — Blake (W), 50-23

Nov. 7 — Gaithersburg (L), 25-0

2009 schedule

Sept. 4 — Damascus, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 11 — at Blair, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 16 — Richard Montgomery, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 25 — at Sherwood, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 2 — Watkins Mill, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 9. — Churchill, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 17 — at Springbrook, 2:00 p.m.

Oct. 23 — at Gaithersburg, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 30 — Paint Branch, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 6 — at Northwest 6:30 p.m.