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Tresnak's squad in 2008 returns 20 letterwinners to a team that was 5-4 a year ago. The Cardinals lost just four players, including two starters, to graduation, and the return of so many players for this year has Tresnak feeling pretty good about the Cardinals chances to have a second straight winning season in 2008. That is something that hasn't happened in Dryden in over 30 years.

"We should be very competitive this year," Tresnak said. "Injuries really hurt us down the stretch last year, especially on defense. We averaged over 30 points a game last year, but we just couldn't stop anyone when it mattered.

"We're just like any other small school in our league. If we can stay healthy, we can win some games."

Dryden began the 2007 3-1 before back-to-back losses to Memphis and Kinde-North Huron in week's five and six evened the Cardinals record at 3-3. A 60-37 blowout loss to Kingston in week eight ended the Cardinals playoff hopes, but Tresnak believes that his team's dedication to improvement will allow the Cardinals to not only stay healthy in 2008 but hopefully get to the six-win plateau a team needs to qualify for the state playoffs.

"Our guys have been really dedicated this year," Tresnak said. "They have been in the weight room all off-season long, and that should pay dividends for us.

"We are only going to go so far this season as our guy's dedication and work ethic carry them."

Of all of the returning players Tresnak will look to for leadership in 2008 are two four-year starters. Senior Allen Clark (FB/MLB) was a First Team all conference selection in the NCTL a year ago, and Tresnak called his senior a "hard-nosed runner and a tenacious defender."

Fellow four-year starter Wes Jonik (HB/LB) was a Second Team All-NCTL at running back last season, leading Dryden in rushing with 817 yards on 109 carries. Tresnak will look to Jonik this fall to once again lead the Cardinals rushing attack.

"Wes rushed for over 500 yards in our last three games last season," Tresnak said. "He hits the hole as hard as any back we've ever had."

Experienced players abound for Tresnak this fall, as the Cardinals return six players who are entering their third season as starters. Senior Chad Butler is back as the Cardinals signal caller this year, this after splitting time behind center in 2007 before aninjury shortened his season. Even in a shortened season, Butler still rushed for 380 yards in his junior season.

Running back Eric Teitz was the team's leading rusher a year until an injury sidelined him midseason. Tietz, whom Tresnak said has "excellent natural football instincts," rushed for 586 yards and seven touchdowns in 2007.

Senior Matt Lynch is back for his third season on varsity at tight end on offense and defensive tackle on defense. On the defensive line next to Lynch are fellow three-year starters Even Crean (TE/DT), Nick Vicari (C/DT) and Joe Battisti (TE/DE).

The offensive line will be anchored at the tackle positions by two-year starting seniors Frank Calabro (T/DT) and Nate Forrset (T/DE).

Juniors Cody Paupert (QB/DB) and Brandon Gierman (TE/DB) will both be counted upon by Tresnak to provide solid minutes for the Cardinals. Key newcomers for Dryden in 2008 are Kyle Bailey (G/LB), Geno Volante (HB/DB), Brian Ladner (G/LB) and Jake Jonik (HB/DB).

Tresnak knows what he is up against when the subject is turning around the Dryden football program. Last season, the Cardinals registered just the fourth winning season since 1979 and only the 14th in the past 55 years. The Cardinals did rack up 271 points in 2007, though, a total which is the second highest regular season total in Dryden High School history, second behind the 291 points the 1996 team scored.

That year, the Cardinals finished the season with a school-best 10-2 record and qualified for the playoffs for the only time in Dryden history.

The 1996 team is one that Tresnak hopes his team can emulate in 2008.

"Peck, Memphis and Kingston are the teams to watch in the NCTL," Tresnak said. "And North Huron should still be competitive despite graduation losses. We should be competitive in the conference, but we need to be dedicated to the cause.

"And we open with Mayville and Kingston, so there isn't any time to mess around early in the season."

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