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Blake's potential success this football season — or lack thereof — comes down to two factors. One, can its defense stop the run? And two, can its offense flash enough of an aerial threat to keep opponents from keying on its potent ground attack?

"I think defensively, our strength is in the secondary and at linebacker," Bengals coach Tony Nazzaro said. "Even our defensive ends, but the key is the interior three linemen. A lot of teams lined up and bullied us a little bit. They were able to run the ball right down our throat. Our ability to stop other teams from running the football will decide if we have a successful season on defense."

Junior nose guard Dylan Gomez (6-foot, 195 pounds) and two-way lineman Stephen Campbell (6-foot, 215) will man two of the three interior spots, with the third up for grabs until late in camp.

Defensive ends Ian Andrews (6-4, 190) and DeVonte Sayas (5-10, 165) round out the front five of Blake's 5-linemen, 2-linebacker set that also includes linebackers Willy White (6-0, 180) and Steven Penland (5-9, 170) and backs Thomas Handy (5-9, 155), Bevin Walker (6-4, 170) and Samoy Young (5-10, 170).

Last year's defensive unit allowed 34.4 points per game, limiting just one opponent, Walter Johnson, to less than 20.

Part two of the team's successful equation requires new quarterback Nick Sigwalt to perform well enough in the team's aerial attack to keep opponents from stacking the line of scrimmage to stop senior fullback Kwabena Asante (5-9, 185). Asante rushed for 1,422 yards and eight touchdowns a year ago, and has drawn interest Temple (Pa.) and Toledo (Ohio) Universities, according to various national outlets.

"Having Kwabena back is a big boost offensively," Nazzaro said. "Our offensive line is bigger than we have been and with three starters back, we have more experience than we've had in a while. We have a strong running game. The key offensively is our ability to force teams to respect the pass and not load eight, nine, 10 in the box. …

"[Sigwalt] is a good manager of the game. He puts everyone in the right spots. He knows what they're doing. He's got a decent arm and he makes good decisions."

Helping Asante and Sigwalt is the return of linemen Campbell, Malando Zeigler (5-11, 230) and Andrew Nisson (5-9, 170) as well as running backs Brandon Simms (6-0, 175) and Handy and wideouts Walker and Vidal Hassan (6-2, 185).

"I believe we're a much better team than last year," Nazzaro said. "They're a close-knit group and they're hungry and confident."

The Bengals moved down to Class 3A this fall, which might be a good thing most years but not this one, with Damascus, Quince Orchard and Seneca Valley on their schedule.

Blake

Head coach: Tony Nazzaro, 8th year (31-48 record; 10th overall, 35-64)

League: Montgomery 4A East

Last year's record: 2-8

Last playoff appearance: None

Last state title: None

Players to watch: FB/DB Kwabena Asante, OL/DL Stephen Campbell, QB Nick Sigwalt

2008 results

Sept. 5 — Blair (L), 47-12

Sept. 12 — Clarksburg (L), 21-0

Sept. 19 — Sherwood (L), 56-0

Sept. 26 — Walter Johnson (W), 19-6

Oct. 3 — Churchill (L), 33-14

Oct. 10 — Gaithersburg (L), 31-6

Oct. 17 — Springbrook (L), 38-14

Oct. 24 — Paint Branch (L), 40-9

Oct. 31 — Magruder (L), 50-23

Nov. 7 — Rockville (W), 27-22

2009 schedule

Sept. 4 — at Springbrook, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 11 — Watkins Mill, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 17 — at Damascus, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 25 — Northwood, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 2 — Paint Branch, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 10 — at Kennedy, 2 p.m.

Oct. 16 — at Seneca Valley, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 23 — Einstein, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 30 — Quince Orchard, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 6 — at Rockville, 6:30 p.m.