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To say Damascus High senior Brian Lucas is confident about his football team's chances this fall would be an understatement.

"We're out to win a state championship," Lucas said. "We're expecting nothing less than an undefeated season. Every team in our division is on a rebuilding year [and] we don't really have any holes."

That is certainly true when it comes to the big names on offense and the vast majority of the team's defense, which returns mostly intact. The same, however, cannot be said of the team's offensive and defensive lines, which suffered a lot of graduation losses.

"[Having the skilled players back] enables us to do a lot more offensively … but you're only as good as your line," said head coach Eric Wallich. "It's entirely new. They're not the biggest but they're pretty feisty. We have to be able to protect the quarterback and be able to run the ball to keep people honest."

If the line — anchored by junior Taylor Krenzke (6-foot-3, 250 pounds) — improves quickly, the Swarmin' Hornets should move the ball and score points, with a load of offensive weapons coming back. Back in the fold is junior signal-caller Connor Frazier (6-1, 180), who threw for 1,122 yards and 10 touchdowns a year ago despite missing time through injury.

He is rejoined in the backfield by the bruising halfback Lucas (6-foot, 210), who ran for 1,162 yards and 14 scores. Lucas has a scholarship offer from Monmouth (N.J.) University and has drawn interest from the United States Military Academy. Junior Mark O'Hara (5-9, 175) will complement him in the backfield.

When not handing off to them, Frazier will be passing to Brandon Phelps (6-1, 180) and Greg Stanton (6-1, 185), who combined for 39 receptions, 509 yards and three touchdowns a year ago. Wallich plans to get them the ball more in a multi-faceted offense that includes Pro-I and spread formations. Additionally, Lucas ran the popular "Wildcat" offense in a game that Frazier missed last season, and may be called on to occasionally do it again.

But not that often, given his quarterback.

"I feel a lot more comfortable," Frazier said. "I feel more comfortable with my receivers and my running backs. I think we can do pretty well offensively."

As explosive as the offense could be, the team's defense could be equally stingy with nearly everyone back except for the team's productive ends. The linebacking corps consists of Lucas (70 tackles), Nick Magas (6-1, 180) and Zeke Gammill (5-10, 185), while Phelps and Stanton (five interceptions) will helm the secondary. Brothers Ben Smith (5-11, 250) and Dan Smith (5-11, 260) return to anchor the interior.

"I think we can make states," Stanton said. "We have more than enough going for us."

Damascus does, however, face a challenging schedule that includes 2008 playoff teams Sherwood, Seneca Valley, Quince Orchard and Clarksburg.

"I feel like we're a good team and we can compete with anybody," said Wallich, "but we're playing some really good teams."

Damascus

Head coach: Eric Wallich, 2nd year

Last year's record: 7-4

Last playoff appearance: 2008 (18th)

Last state title: 2007 (7th)

Players to watch: QB Connor Frazier, RB/LB Brian Lucas, WR/DB Greg Stanton

2008 results

Sept. 5 — Kennedy, (W), 26-6

Sept. 12 — Einstein, (W), 40-7

Sept. 19 — Quince Orchard (L), 35-3

Sept. 26 — Wheaton, (W), 35-0

Oct. 3 — Watkins Mill, (W), 41-14

Oct. 10 — Magruder, (W), 41-19

Oct. 17 — B-CC, (W), 38-3

Oct. 24 — Seneca Valley, (L), 13-7

Oct. 31 — Blair, (L), 28-26 (OT)

Nov. 7 — Paint Branch, (W), 24-21

Nov. 14 — Seneca Valley, (L), 27-26*

*playoff game

2009 schedule

Sept. 4 — at Magruder, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 11 — Quince Orchard, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 17 — Blake, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 25 — at Seneca Valley, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 2 — Springbrook, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 9 — at Watkins Mill, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 16 — at Sherwood, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 23 — Northwood, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 30 — Clarksburg, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 6 — at Kennedy, 6:30 p.m.