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There is a lot for the Paint Branch football team to look forward to in 2009. Head coach Mike Nesmith isn't seeing it yet.

Literally.

"It's just been so many guys missing with injuries right now, just random stuff," said Nesmith. "Six of our seven top wide receivers are hurt, a few linemen. Tendonitis, illness, strained backs, one of our linebackers had to be rushed to the hospital. … Just one thing after another."

But he also feels that once healthy, his Panthers can be really good "on paper." From a team that missed the Class 3A state playoffs by one play, a fourth-and-19 touchdown pass surrendered in its regular season finale at Damascus, the core is back, as are a host of several lesser-known commodities.

Those returnees include four of five offensive linemen who started Week 10 last fall: Seniors Courtney Wallerson, Chris Langan, Jin-Young Ki, and Ian Banson. The only fresh face is sophomore Will Smith (6-foot-1, 260 pounds), who Nesmith calls "a future star and an outstanding athlete at his size."

But the new big man on campus is 5-foot-7 senior Tracy Martin, who returns for his second season at quarterback. A dynamic jack-of-all-trades who began last season at halfback, Martin will run often, and be used more prominently at defensive back than a year ago.

But he is more than just an athlete; Martin possesses a powerful right arm and threw extremely well in offseason passing leagues.

"He just has a much better grasp of the little details that were overlooked because he was an emergency starter and it was all new last year," said Nesmith. "He's really embraced the leadership off the field, knowing that you're the face of the program and have to do things a certain way. He had a great summer."

He has a host of big targets to work with, likely the biggest in the county. Seniors Ivan Tagoe (6-2, 200 pounds) and Torian Henderson (6-4, 215) are three-year starters (Henderson in the secondary), while junior Earvin Anumgba is 6-foot and possesses similar strength as his older counterparts.

Meanwhile, senior Alex Walker hasn't played football since the ninth grade, but has showed signs of being a fine blocking and receiving tight end.

Another newcomer to watch is sophomore Bene't Willis, who will start at halfback. Though slight, he is already an advanced runner, according to Nesmith.

"He's only a little bigger than Tracy last year, but he's a slasher," he said. "He's a one-cut runner who doesn't waste a lot of time making his move."

Many of the names on defense remain the same. Langan lines up at nose tackle, Wallerson starts alongside junior Greg Smith at inside linebacker, while Banson will patrol one outside linebacker spot. The other will be manned by Tagoe, possibly the most intriguing athlete on the team who Nesmith moved from cornerback to "be more of an impact player."

The secondary includes cornerback Larry Buchanon, Martin, Anumgba and Henderson, a ferocious hitter at strong safety.

"I think our kids believe we can compete with anyone in the county," said Nesmith. "We use that final game last year because they really think they should have been in the playoffs. So they're really hungry."

Paint Branch

Head coach: Mike Nesmith, 3rd year (14-6 record)

League: Montgomery 3A

Last year's record: 7-3

Last playoff appearance: 2000 (6th)

Last state title: 1975 (1st)

Players to watch: WR Ivan Tagoe, QB Eric Freniere, RB Franklyn Paris

2008 results

Sept. 5 — B-CC (W), 35-13

Sept. 12 — Sherwood (W), 35-0

Sept. 19 — Kennedy (W), 40-0

Sept. 26 — Seneca Valley (L), 27-6

Oct. 3 — Einstein (W), 29-24

Oct. 10 — Springbrook (L), 15-12

Oct. 16 — Wheaton (W), 41-0

Oct. 24 — Blake (W), 40-9

Oct. 31 — Watkins Mill (W), 36-6

Nov. 7 — Damascus (L), 24-21

2009 schedule

Sept. 4 — Blair, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 11 — at B-CC, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 17 — Sherwood, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 25 — at Wootton, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 2 — at Blake, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 9 — Gaithersburg, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 16 — at Richard Montgomery, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 23 — Clarksburg, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 30 — at Magruder, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 6 — Springbrook, 6:30 p.m.