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Almost before the 2007 football season was half over, B-CC head coach Joe Allen began taking steps to ensure his second year at the helm would go more smoothly than the first.

The Barons lost their first seven games last season; most in ugly fashion. But in October and November, they began laying the groundwork for a resurgence, and won two of their final three contests.

"That definitely continues on to this year, especially with our quarterback, most of our receivers and our whole offensive line back," said senior receiver Gib Jenkins, B-CC's only All-Gazette honoree last year. "Most of those players last year were juniors. Now we're seniors, so we're ready. … I think the mentality to win is just there."

The rebuilding began when Jake Boross was installed at quarterback in the third game of last season, winning a three-way competition with two seniors. Though he took his lumps, he is back for his senior season with plenty of experience under his belt.

Several athletic youngsters moved up from junior varsity during the course of last season and got playing time. Others, including projected starting running back Matt Bookman, a sophomore, make the leap this year from a JV that finished 4-4 in 2007.

Finally, Allen added to his staff in the offseason, bringing in former Division I player Wayne See, fresh off two years as a graduate assistant at West Virginia University, and former St. John's (D.C.) assistant Darrell Hodge as defensive coordinator.

"The team chemistry is a lot better than it was last year," Boross said. "We've worked hard and we feel like we're prepared. It's a fresh start."

There will also be a fresh offensive approach. B-CC reverts to a more wide-open attack this year, taking advantage of Boross' experience and a slew of athletic receivers.

"We just feel, basically, we've got some athletes," Allen said. "We've got a lot of receivers. And we're looking forward to it."

The offensive line returns four starters and won't include anyone under 200 pounds, something of a novelty at B-CC. The right side — center Reid Williams (6-foot, 210 pounds), guard Brian Altman (5-11, 225) and tackle Mike Allen (6-3, 300) — are all seniors who have lined up together in that order for three straight years.

Most of the linemen will play both ways, but the Barons have enough athletes that few of the skill players will see double duty. Senior Noah Joseph anchors the defense from middle linebacker, while juniors Casey Shamma and Casey Fitzgerald lead the secondary and will work at receiver.

The challenge will be to gel quickly; the toughest stretch of the Barons' schedule is the first three games, just as it was last year. They could easily be much improved and still start 0-3, but that's not what's on their minds.

"We're just going to have to hit the ground running," Boross said. "Paint Branch, Whitman and Seneca the first three — they're going to be three tough tasks. But we'll see where we stand after week one. … The coaches and players have all prepared; we're optimistic about this opportunity."

Head coach: Joe Allen, 2nd year

League: Montgomery 3A

Last year's record: 2-8

Last playoff appearance: 1995 (1st)

Last state title: None

Players to watch: QB Jake Boross, RB Matt Bookman, WR Gib Jenkins

2007 results

Sept. 7 — Paint Branch (L), 40-0

Sept. 14 — Whitman (L), 42-6

Sept. 20 — Seneca Valley (L), 55-12

Sept. 28 — Watkins Mill (L), 35-30

Oct. 5 — Kennedy (L), 41-0

Oct. 12 — Clarksburg (L), 35-6

Oct. 19 — Damascus (L), 48-0

Oct. 29 — Poolesville (W), 25-20

Nov. 2 — Einstein (L), 41-18

Nov. 9 — Wheaton (W), 24-6

2008 schedule

Sept. 5 — at Paint Branch, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 12 —Whitman, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 19 — at Seneca Valley, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 26 — Watkins Mill, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 — at Kennedy, 2 p.m.

Oct. 10 — Clarksburg, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 17 — Damascus, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 — at Poolesville, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 31 — at Einstein, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 — Wheaton, 6:30 p.m.