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For the first time in school history, Poolesville will compete in Class 2A, as its school population has grown beyond its former 1A classification. Not by much, however.

"We're 2A by about five kids," said head coach Steve Orsini.

To make matters more trying, the Falcons are coming off a season in which they averaged a paltry 4.8 points per game, gave up a total of 381 and recorded exactly zero victories.

But to Orsini, competition breeds success. Poolesville's veteran signal-caller, senior Cody Kenly, brings experience and leadership to the table. Yet Kenly does not have the job wrapped up, as junior Tyler Holston — who quarterbacked a 5-4 junior varsity team in 2008 — is challenging for the starting job.

"Right now, it's about 60-40 of the first-team snaps in favor of Kenly," Orsini said. "It's still early."

More JV players are being counted on for the big play, something greatly lacking in Poolesville's offense last year. Graduate Chase Beck was a reliable source in the backfield, but was unable to provide the home-run threat the Falcons so desperately needed.

"Our longest run from scrimmage last year was eight or nine yards," said Orsini. "We need more of those big plays of 20 or 30 yards so we can shorten the field."

Vying for the starting job are JV call-ups Milton Pratt and Andrew Mlynarczyk, both of whom will add speed and depth to the Falcon backfield. Twin brothers and 2008 starters Jack and Eric Gouchenour, a tight end and fullback respectively, are the mainstays.

The current class of seniors is the first group to play entirely in Orsini's system, something he believes will play a major role in the upcoming season.

Poolesville's defense was porous last season, and must get better. In a scrimmage against Class 1A power Cacoctin, the Falcons had just one long play broken against them, and few missed tackles.

"We need to improve, but I like the way we played," Orsini said. "Catoctin is a big, physical team and we didn't let them push us around."

Orsini hopes the optimism of the summer will turn around what was undoubtedly one of the most difficult seasons in Poolesville's history.

"[Suspending players last year] started a snowball effect for us," said Orsisni. "We started off on the wrong foot, and those suspended players never got into the groove of the season. This is a much more cohesive unit, and the team morale is as high as it has ever been in my four years."

Poolesville

Head coach: Steve Orsini, 4th year (6-23; 6th overall, 11-37)

League: Montgomery 2A

Last year's record: 0-10

Last playoff appearance: 2005 (10th)

Last state title: None

Players to watch: QB Cody Kenley, QB Tyler Holsten, TE Jack Gouchenour, FB Eric Gouchenour

2008 results

Sept. 5 — Brunswick (L), 37-0

Sept. 12 — Smithsburg (L), 27-0

Sept. 19 — Boonsboro (L), 55-0

Sept. 26 — Northwood (L), 28-19

Oct. 3 — Clarksburg (L), 55-0

Oct. 10 — Samuel Banks (L) 20-0

Oct. 17 — Walter Johnson (L), 40-15

Oct. 24 — B-CC (L), 40-14

Oct. 31 — Rockville (L), 31-0

Nov. 7 — Maryland School for the Deaf (L), 48-0

2009 schedule

Sept. 4 — Brunswick, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 11 — at Rockville, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 17 — Williamsport, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 25 — Einstein, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 2 — at Walter Johnson, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 9 — Maryland School for the Deaf, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 16 — at Watkins Mill, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 23 — Potomac School (Va.), 6:30 p.m.

Oct 30 — Wheaton, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 6 — at Kent County, 7 p.m.