Oak Ridge High’s varsity football team has not won a playoff game since 2004 and has suffered five straight losses in the first round of the playoffs after missing the playoffs in 2005. This year’s team is out to reverse the fortune of past Oak Ridge teams and get back to the glory days when they were perennial contenders for the section championship. This year’s team returns seven starters from last year’s team that started the season with five straight wins, finished the regular season at 7-3 and lost a barnburner of a playoff game to Lincoln of Stockton, 37-35. The goals remain the same as they were last year. “We expect to win,” Oak Ridge coach Eric Cavaliere said. “We expect to compete for a league title, make the playoffs and win some games.” Oak Ridge’s defense returns only two starters in linebacker Preston Dean, the team’s lone returning Delta River League first team all-star, along with defensive lineman Xavier Lopez. What they lack in returning starters they make for in quality in the pair of three-year varsity starters. “Preston is probably the most physical defensive player we’ve had in quite some time,” Cavaliere said. “He loves the physical part of football; he thrives on it. He’s definitely a team leader. “Xavier is the anchor of the defensive line. He’s a very good player and he’s consistently very good.” With Dean and Lopez, Oak Ridge figures to be strong up the middle. Jake Rosada and James BoisD’Enghien join Dean at linebacker. “With Preston and Jake, we’ve got the two best inside linebackers we’ve had in quite some time,” Cavaliere said. “Jake’s got great instincts and is physical, but he’s also athletic and quick for his size. He’s probably our interception leader during practice and seven-on-seven drills. “James may be the most improved player from last year. He’s transformed himself physically in the weight room and has been playing at a high level.” Kareem Ballal lines up next to Lopez in the middle of Oak Ridge’s line, while Zack Claiborne is on one end. The other starting spot is up for grabs with Josh Gallagher, Brittain Stafford, Jason Chapman, Joe Chapman and Roman Andrus battling for playing time. “Kareem is very coachable, smart and plays hard,” Cavaliere said. “Zack is freakishly strong for his size, explosive and just makes plays. He’s athletic along the same lines as Ryan Adams from a year ago.” Bobby Gatta and Kyle Belcher will be the team’s starting cornerbacks with Brandon Herd and Matt Howard getting the starting nod at safety. Ben Sweet backs up all four positions. “Bobby and Kyle are our two fastest players on the team,” Cavaliere said. “Bobby is a physical corner, while Kyle is long and rangy. Brandon brings a linebacker’s mentality to safety. Matt’s very athletic and has a nose for the football.” Dean feels the defense will be tough to play against. “I think it will be the strongest part of the team,” Dean said. “We’re strong in the middle with Xavier and I being three-year starters.” Dean and Lopez are also returning starters on offense at fullback and tight end, respectively. The team’s other three returning starters are wide receiver Dylan Collie, who’s already accepted a scholarship to Brigham Young University and the Chapman brothers on the line, Joe and Jason at tackle and guard, respectively. “Xavier is a heck of a blocker for us at tight end and we expect him to catch more balls this year,” Cavaliere said. “The Chapman boys are both big kids and anchor the line. Preston is a physical force at fullback. He’s an excellent inside runner and blocker. What more can I?saw about Dylan? In the tradition of great Oak Ridge receivers, he’s the next in line. He’s worked his butt off and he makes others around him better.” Jason Samuels earned the starting quarterback job after Frank Trifeletti injured his knee. Cavaliere said he has a strong, accurate arm and throws the ball well down the field. He will be throwing the ball to Collie and Lopez, while Lance Berringer will start at the other wide receiver spot. Byron Spain, Gatta, Bradford Buenzil and Tyler Starr will also see playing time at receiver, while Brandon Herd will alternate with Lopez at tight end. “Lance is big and strong and has huge hands,” Cavaliere said. “Brandon is a receiving threat at tight end, as he can stretch the field and he also runs good routes.” Ryan Adair backs up Dean at fullback and will see plenty of playing time, while Josh Wellman is the starter at tailback. Jake Rosada, Blake Martin and Shay Mueller will also compete for playing time. “Ryan is like a bowling ball back there and right now is probably our guy we have the hardest time tackling in practice,” Cavaliere said. “Josh is only a sophomore but probably our most experienced running back. He’s got great vision and feel for the game. Jake is a bigger back but has great agility. He’s worked hard and sort of come from nowhere to be a full-time player.” Joining the Chapman’s on the offensive line are Blake Mize and Ballal, competing for time at center, and guard Cody Frakes and tackle Will Boule. Jacob Proul is competing for playing time with Frakes and Boule. Collie likes the look of this year’s offense. “It’s unfortunate the Frank got hurt, but it’s good we have a guy to look to as our No. 1 quarterback,” Collie said. “Jason’s young but he’s talented and has got what we need. Josh has stepped up and is an exciting addition to our offense. I think we’re going to have an exciting offense this year.” The Trojans want to compete for a league title and win at least one playoff game this season. “Pleasant Grove is clearly the favorite in league, as I believe they’re ranked No. 8 in the nation and second in California behind De La Salle,” Cavaliere said. “I think they return 18-of-22 starters and will be tough to deal with. Folsom is coming off a state championship and I’m very familiar with what momentum can do for a team. It’s huge and kids feed off it. I know they graduated a bunch of guys, but they’ve got a couple of receivers that have offers and a quarterback they say is as good as last year’s guy so they will be tough. You have to play your best game to win in our league. If you don’t, you’ll lose.”