New coaches aim at conference titans

Coach: Mike Scanlan. 2010 record: 10-2.

• The Raiders should keep high school football video nuts busy, as this remarkable collection of skill players will take turns one-upping each other. RBs Kendrick Brewster and James Onwualu are the metro's best 1-2 punch, and QB Kevin Miley has a pair of excellent receivers in Taylor Montero and Cortez Tillman. Athletic 300-pound defensive tackle Johnathan Harden dominates opponents.

Coach: Mike Pendino. 2010 record: 7-3.

• After a breakout season in which the second-year Raptors exceeded nearly every expectation, a little backsliding is likely. Marcus Kelly, Sean Kallevig and Jake Pouliot will provide some size on the line and senior QB Brandon Johnson is a year older and better, but who will fill the shoes of departed RB Ezekiel Okeleye?

Coach: Paul Kendrick. 2010 record: 4-6.

• With talented underclassmen and experienced seniors, the Rangers have the potential for a big season. A mercurial RB in Tommy Tyson and commanding field presence in QB J.T. Jurasin lead an offense poised to break out. If they come together for first-year coach Kendrick, the Rangers could be playing well into November.

Coach: Dana Strain. 2010 record: 1-8.

Coach: Jim Galvin. 2010 record: 11-2.

• Every year, Mounds View is expected to rebuild, yet Galvin always gets the most out of the players he has. All but two starters graduated from the 2010 Class 5A state semifinalists, but RBs Jimmy Jaeger and Tyler Hansen should open some eyes with their combination of strength and speed. Expect the defense, as usual, to keep the Mustangs competitive.

PARK OF COTTAGE GROVE WOLFPACK

Coach: Darin Glazier. 2010 record: 0-9.

• Former Tartan coach Glazier takes over a program that is sorely in need of a fresh outlook. Park has not posted a winning season in more than a decade and has lost 25 of its past 27 games. Its numbers are acceptable -- 41 players in grades 11 and 12 -- but Glazier's biggest task will be dumping old attitudes.

• With the exception of the quarterback position -- a notable exception -- the Raiders have some enviable pieces on offense. Four of five starters return on the line, and wide receiver Emeche Wells (6-3, 175 pounds) is an explosive playmaker who is a threat to go all the way any time he touches the ball.

Coach: Beau LaBore. 2010 record: 9-2.

• After five years at Woodbury, LaBore takes over for departed coach Scott Hoffman. The Ponies lost 41 seniors but have talent back in leading receiver Nate Ricci (32 receptions, 385 yards) and a veteran defensive line. One caveat: Starting defensive tackles Marcus Tacheny and Cartier Alexander are expected to miss early action because of injuries.

Coach: Bob Jackson. 2010 record: 4-6.

• Not long ago, White Bear Lake was one of the elite power programs in the metro. The Bears have been spinning their wheels recently, however, going 20-20 since 2007. Things don't look much different this year for White Bear Lake, with only five full-time starters returning and an inexperienced offensive line. Perhaps it's time to scrap the veer?

• Hill inherits a program that is still clawing its way back from the opening of East Ridge three years ago, thus splitting up Woodbury's talent pool. Hill has some tools to work with, notably 18 players who started at least one game, a dynamite linebacker in three-year starter Cam Maslonka and a speedy wrecking ball of a running back in Junius Wilson.

JIM PAULSEN

1. Cretin-Derham Hall

2. Mounds View

3. Forest Lake

5. Stillwater

6. East Ridge

7. Roseville

8. White Bear Lake

9. Hastings