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Wheaton football coach Tommy Neal makes no bones about it: a year ago, the Knights were not a good football team. That may be an understatement, considering their 0-10 record, and the 3.9 points per game they averaged.

That's all history.

Preseason practices have shown a dramatically improved roster, pretty much at every position. And Neal, a straight shooter who doesn't mince words, is genuinely excited.

"I mean we were just bad; I couldn't teach guys enough to get the concept of a running game," said Neal. "But we've got players now. Of the 35 guys we've got, I expect 30 to contribute heavily."

The regular season isn't played in August, but summer drills revealed playmakers who either weren't available or weren't ready a year ago. Senior Kevin Valle is a talented 6-foot-2 target who will play both wideout and cornerback. Junior Michael Perez is a stocky fullback/linebacker whom Neal feels "is kind of like [West Virginia linebacker Pat] Lazear was for us two years ago. Not quite as talented, but he's that kind of player."

Two weapons who also figure to improve the Knights prominently line up in the backfield. Senior quarterback Juan Rosas was the projected starter a year ago, but broke his ankle in preseason and didn't return until late in the season, visibly hobbled. And junior tailback Juron Brown shows a world of ability in the open field, and could be reminiscent of a smaller Elijah Davis (2007 alum).

"He's the quickest guy on our team," said Neal. "Little guy, only about 125 pounds I'd bet, but he's going to carry the ball for us. We're going to try to get him in space a lot."

Both sides of the ball have space eaters. Center Antavias Chavis goes about 6-1, 260 pounds, while the defensive line includes junior Anthony Randall (6-3, 240) and Chris Edwards (6-2, 270). Both offensive tackles are seniors, Muhammad Nyassi and Mario Espinoza.

Neal feels the defense is light years ahead of where it was last year. Though the starting quarterback, Rosas may be even better as an outside linebacker, which is why senior Dylan Parker should eventually see plenty of reps behind center.

Senior Robert Wilson joins Rosas and Perez to form a physical second level of the defense, while senior Renan Josephino is an agile free safety capable of playing anywhere in the secondary.

Of course, all these new names mean nothing until they actually prove to be a better product than last year's model. The first day of reckoning comes Sept. 5 in the Knights' opener at home versus Einstein, a team that shellacked them 26-0 a year ago.

"This is a senior-laden team that last year only had juniors and sophomores, and a lot of these guys weren't here," said Neal. "I think we can go .500; we've got some talent, honestly. Hopefully we're motivated to come back from getting our [butts] kicked all last year. I know I am."

Head coach: Tommy Neal, 3rd year (6-14 record)

League affiliation: Montgomery 3A

Last year's record: 0-10

Last playoff appearance: 1996 (4th)

Last state title: 1996 (1st)

Players to watch: QB/LB Juan Rosas, WR Kevin Valle

2007 schedule

Sept. 7 — Einstein (L), 26-0

Sept. 14 — Gaithersburg (L), 48-0

Sept. 20 — Watkins Mill (L), 33-7

Sept. 28 — Damascus (L), 49-13

Oct. 5 — Rockville (L), 34-0

Oct. 12 — Seneca Valley (L), 45-0

Oct. 19 — Paint Branch (L), 48-7

Oct. 26 — Northwood (L), 12-6

Nov. 2 — Kennedy (L), 38-0

Nov. 9 — Bethesda-Chevy Chase (L), 25-6

2008 schedule

Sept. 5 — Einstein, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 12 — Gaithersburg, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 19 — at Watkins Mill, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 26 — at Damascus, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 3 — Rockville, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 10 — at Seneca Valley, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 17 — Paint Branch, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 25 — at Northwood, 2 p.m.

Oct. 31 — Kennedy, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 — at Bethesda-Chevy Chase, 6:30 p.m.