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And Pizzala must do it quickly.

Pizzala's team enters the 2008 season with more than half of the Blackhawks roster taken up by underclassmen. That could prove as a hindrance for Brandon this season, but Pizzala does not see it that way. Instead, the coach of the Blackhawks looks over his roster and sees the increased numbers on the varsity team as a positive without so much as mentioning the youth that dominates his roster.

"Injuries dictated how we ran the show last year," Pizalla said. "This year, (because of better numbers), we're going to have some options."

The higher number of players could help the Blackhawks in a number of ways. Pizalla said that the surplus of extra players should lead to increased competition for the starting jobs. That would help his team throughout the course of the season in the event of injuries, as was the case in 2007.

Pizalla made an immediate impact in Brandon in his first year in charge. The Blackhawks were coming off a 1-8 season in 2006, and a new coach seemed to energize a program that had not made the playoffs since the 2000 season. A 28-21 loss to Swartz Creek in the regular season finale was the only thing that kept the Blackhawks from getting the six wins that are needed to qualify for the state playoffs.

This season, Pizalla hopes what varsity experience his team has will help the Blackhawks get over that hump. And that all starts at the quarterback position.

Senior captain Quin McNally is back for his second year as Brandon's quarterback, and the two-year captain will be looking to build upon his success he enjoyed a year ago.

"Quin has a great ability to read defenses," Pizalla said. "He has good vision and he is safe with the ball. Last year, he threw for more than 1,00o yards."

In front of McNally, junior lineman Brad Boven and senor Jake McNeil took their lumps a year ago, but Pizalla expects that experience will pay off for both of his returning starters.

"Last season taught Boven and McNeil plenty of practical game knowledge," Pizalla said. "They learned how to communicate on the fly."

On defense, Pizalla returns a solid linebacking core in a trio of seniors. Second-year captain Ron Redmond will anchor a solid defense that will look to lead a younger offense in the Blackhawks quest to win a Flint Metro League title. Fellow senior LBs Jesse Edel and Aaron Hyde are also expected to contribute on the defensive side of the ball.

Brandon opens the FML schedule with two straight games on the road. The Blackhawks begin the season in Holly in week one, Clio in week two before returning home to open their new football complex against Flint-Kearsley on September 12.

Andrew Selich is Sports Editor at The County Press. He can be reached at (810) 664-0811 ext. 8124 or andrew.selich@lapeergroup.com.