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Wootton's football team is so used to being underestimated, it is hardly even fazed by the doubt anymore. If anything, the Patriots are motivated by it.

Now, however, they are coming off their best season in 17 years. Their 2008 playoff berth was the culmination of four years of work; head coach Greg Malling came in and reworked Wootton's entire offensive system five years ago, and in 2008, it was one of the most explosive in the county.

Wootton did graduate the pioneers of this resurgence; Malling's first freshman class, which included three-year starting quarterback Mike Mooney, the county's leading passer with 3,062 yards and 27 touchdowns, and wide receiver Stephane N'goumou (9 TDs).

But building a program means being able to replace the Mooneys and N'goumous, especially given Wootton's spread offense.

"This was our third straight offseason of listening to people say, ‘Wootton graduated anyone that was any good. They're going to suck now,'" Malling said. "Obviously we lost a lot of talent, but we believe we have some guys stepping in that should keep us respectable. Last year, we played an average of 56 different people when the game was still on the line."

The Patriots might not have the size of their competitors, and their strength of schedule has taken a serious upswing on the basis of their results over the last two years. But no one enjoys playing them, because their offense is tough to prepare for in a single week of practice.

Simply put, the Wootton spread can make people look stupid. When the Patriots go no-huddle, defenses get confused and mismatches appear in their favor.

"Our system fits our players very well because we are able to isolate the best matchups for our guys," Malling said. "Hopefully we will be at a faster tempo. The more plays, the better."

Senior Alex Kelly will step in at quarterback after a year as Mooney's primary understudy. Seniors Matt Grimm and Rashawn Morris will be two of his main targets.

Six-foot-4, 260-pound sophomore Ben Killion and senior Nate Baruch (6-2, 240) will anchor the offensive line.

The other side of the ball mirrors the offense: Fast and complex. Untimely breakdowns on defense proved costly last fall: The Patriots allowed their opponents to score an average of 23.3 points per game, third highest of all the 4A teams in the county.

Wootton will lean on experience in key defensive positions this fall. Baruch brings some size to the defensive line. Grimm (6-0, 205) doubles as a linebacker and Kelly and Morris (5-10, 160) are defensive backs.

"We like our depth a lot, but more is always better," Malling said. "We really need some of the younger guys to develop quickly. We've really made a conscious effort over the past couple years to develop more players. Hopefully that depth pays off."

Wootton

Head coach: Greg Malling, 5th year (16-25 record)

League affiliation: Montgomery 4A West

Last year's record: 7-4

Last state playoff appearance: 2008 (2nd)

Last state title: None

Players to watch: WR/LB Matt Grimm, OL Ben Killion, QB/DB Alex Kelly, WR/DB Rashawn Morris, OL/DL, Nate Baruch

2008 results

Sept. 6 — Quince Orchard (L), 26-21

Sept. 12 — Walter Johnson (W), 35-13

Sept. 19 — Whitman (W), 34-7

Sept 26 —Clarksburg (L), 49-7

Oct. 3 — Northwest (L), 33-28

Oct. 10 —Rockville (W), 28-0

Oct. 16 — Blair (W), 36-7

Oct. 24 — Magruder (W), 37-20

Oct. 31 — Richard Montgomery (W), 63-38

Nov. 7 — Churchill (W), 37-27

Nov. 14 — Quince Orchard (L), 36-0*

* playoff game

2009 schedule

Sept. 4 — at Sherwood, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 11 — Gaithersburg, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 17 — at Springbrook, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 25 — Paint Branch, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 2 — B-CC, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 9 — at Whitman, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 16 — at Churchill, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 23 — Northwest, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 30 — Walter Johnson, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 6 — at Clarksburg, 6:30 p.m.