Smaller (for now) but plenty strong

For this year, at least, the Wright County is back to a nine-team league. Watertown-Mayer has departed for the Minnesota River Conference.

The replacement, Holy Family, will join the league permanently in 2012. Holy Family lost to Rochester Lourdes in the Class 3A championship game last year.

What does this mean? That one of the toughest conferences in the state will get even tougher.

Coach: Matt Walter. 2010 record: 4-6.

• Twenty-three seniors are back for the Cardinals, led by big tackle Monty Gregoire (6-5, 260). That translates to depth at key positions, an essential element for success in the Wright County. Outside of Gregoire, however, size is a concern.

Coach: Ryan Weinandt. 2010 record: 9-2.

• In his eight years at D-C, Weinandt has turned a perennial second-division team into a contending program. But no team is immune to graduation, and the Chargers have to replace 17 departed seniors. If that isn't enough, Aaron Haataja, the leading rusher in the conference in 2010, transferred to Warroad. Patience will be key.

• Expectations have been high for Delano for three years, but the Tigers have finished disappointingly in each of the past two seasons, losing in the section semifinals. Another strong season is on tap with a good mix of skill players (RB Bryan Sinkel rushed for 929 yards), team speed, senior leadership and talented underclassmen.

Coach: Scott Tschimperle. 2010 record: 9-3.

• The bar is high at Glencoe-Silver Lake after 10 consecutive state tournament appearances, five ending in championships. Always physical and disciplined, the Panthers could be Metrodome-bound again if they find a suitable replacement for graduated QB Kyler Anderson.

Coach: Andy Rostburg. 2010 record: 4-5.

• Wright County teams welcomed Hutchinson to the fold in typical bruising fashion in 2010, handing the Tigers their first sub-.500 season in more than a decade. With a strong tradition and a large nucleus of experienced players back, expect the Tigers to play with a chip on their shoulders.

• The best part about playing sophomores and juniors is when they become a year older. The Dragons took some lumps in 2010 with sophomore QB Zach Kinney (1,479 yards passing) and junior RB Jordan Godejahn, who gained 1,261 yards from scrimmage. That experience will pay dividends this year.

Coach: Kyle Inforzato. 2010 record: 1-9.

• The White Hawks took some beatings in 2010 with a young, inexperienced lineup. But that means that 14 game-tested starters are back this year for Mound-Westonka, and Inforzato is excited for what that might bring. "This may be the most experienced team we've fielded in years," he wrote.

Coach: Jeff Weiland. 2010 record: 4-6.

• It's not how Orono will start. With only 13 seniors back and an entire defensive line to rebuild, the Spartans figure to struggle early in the season. But there is intriguing talent among the 23 juniors on the roster, including linebacker/running back Tom Wachman and safety Max Mason. Expect them to be much better at playoff time.

• At 6-4 and 225 pounds and blessed with an impressive football pedigree, Maxx Williams will dictate the Wildcats' success. Already committed to Minnesota, Williams, the son of former Gopher Brian Williams, rushed for 1,200 yards and made 140 tackles in 2010. An inexperienced offensive line will make things difficult.

JIM PAULSEN

1. Glencoe-Silver Lake

2. Delano

3. Waconia

5. Annandale

6. Orono

7. Dassel-Cokato

8. Litchfield