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Long-time Georgetown Prep football coach Dan Paro summed up last season's fortunes on the back of one stat: "When Jack threw better than 50 percent, we won football games."

When quarterback Jack Schryber did not complete half of his passes, the Little Hoyas went down in defeat, falling to MIAA A Conference foes Gilman, Mount St. Joseph's and Loyola, scoring a combined 19 points in those three contests. They averaged an impressive 30.8 points per game in their seven victories.

The latter scenario could look more like the norm this fall as numerous starters, including Schryber and Division I-A college prospect Paul Phillips, return this season to battle another challenging schedule that includes former Interstate Athletic Conference rival Landon.

"We're ahead of the game compared to last year," Schryber said. "We've got a lot of guys from our offense back so we don't have to spend the time we normally have to going over the basics. We're very balanced. We should be able to score a lot of points."

Schryber (6-foot, 195 pounds) threw for 974 yards and five scores a year ago and also rushed for four touchdowns. His targets in the passing game include 6-5, 225-pound Phillips and a speedy receiving corps of Robert Posniewski (6-2, 195), Matt Collins (6-3, 195), and Kevin Fowler (6-3, 185).

When not passing, Schryber will hand off to shifty tailback Bobby Gribbin (196 yards, five total touchdowns) and fullbacks Mazzie Rutland (6-0, 185) and Junior Monzey (5-9, 190). Beefy linemen Julien Green (6-4, 310), John Dankos (6-3, 215), Tyler Steed (6-1, 240), Bob Baggott (6-3, 230) and Scott Mergner (6-3, 280) will pave the way for them.

"We've got a really explosive receiving corps," Phillips said. "The passing game is going to be really strong, as well as the running game. We're going to have a really balanced and really explosive offense."

Georgetown Prep's defense lost some heavy hitters in Andrew Stout and Gary Schneider and will look to replace them with Alex Blonsky (6-2, 2-5), Nick Scarff (6-1, 205), Matt Peterson (6-1), Brett Bowman (6-4, 195), Posniewski, Rutland and Monzey among others.

"We're rebuilding on defense but we've got a lot of guys stepping up," Posniewski said. "We're going to be strong. The guys who are stepping up are starting to mesh pretty well."

The Little Hoyas have an almost duplicate schedule as last year but Gonzaga will be stronger and Landon takes the place of Pallotti, a team they defeated 38-0 last year. Georgetown Prep will also play Gilman and Mount St. Joseph's in back-to-back games.

"I would imagine by the end of the season at least three teams from the MIAA A division will finish in the top 20 in the state," Paro said. "I believe there is a possibility that more than three can be there."

Georgetown Prep

Head coach: Dan Paro, 13th year (81-37 career record)

League: Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A

Last year's record: 7-3

Last league title: 2003 (18th in IAC)

Players to watch: QB Jack Schryber, TE/DE Paul Phillips, WR/DE Robert Posniewski

2008 results

Sept. 5 — Paul VI, (W), 35-14

Sept. 13 — Gonzaga, (W), 42-0

Sept. 19 — Gilman, (L), 21-0

Sept. 27 — Mount St. Joseph's, (L), 28-12

Oct. 3 — St. Mary's, (W), 31-7

Oct. 11 — Calvert Hall, (W), 21-14

Oct. 18 — McDonogh, (W), 21-14

Oct. 25 — St. Albans, (W), 28-19

Oct. 31 — Pallotti, (W), 38-0

Nov. 8 — Loyola, (L), 35-7

2009 schedule

Sept. 11 — Paul VI, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 19 — at Gonzaga, 2 p.m.

Sept. 26 — Gilman, 1 p.m.

Oct. 3 — Mount St. Joseph's, 1 p.m.

Oct. 9 — at St. Mary's, 7 p.m.

Oct. 16 — at Calvert Hall, 4 p.m.

Oct. 23 — McDonogh, 4 p.m.

Oct. 31 — St. Albans, 1 p.m.

Nov. 7 — at Landon, 2 p.m.

Nov. 14 — at Loyola, 1 p.m.