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Smith probably already knows this. And if he does, he's certainly not telling anyone.

The Panthers return 10 players from a year ago who all received some sort of mention in the all-conference ranking of players in the Flint Metro League. Last season, Lapeer West ran through their FML opponents in scoring 318 total points while gathering a 7-3 overall record. A 21-14 loss to Oxford was the lone blemish on the Panthers conference record yet that loss still did not stop Lapeer West from claiming a share of the FML crown with a 7-1 conference mark.

Five straight wins to close out the 2007 season gave the Panthers a share of the title while making them collectively hungry for more in 2008.

And coach Smith wouldn't have it any other way.

"Although we never feel like the favorite in any one season, we prepare ourselves to compete for the league title every season," Smith said. "At Lapeer West, our kids expect to compete for the Metro League title on a yearly basis, and this year is no different.Ê

"We have a lot of work to do though if we want to win it outright."

That work for West must start right away, because with the addition of Flint-Kearsley to the Flint Metro League, the conference now stands at 10 member schools. That means that all nine of the Panthers games in 2008 count toward the conference standings, which is something that Smith might not like but realizes that his team must deal with.

"It's not an ideal situation," Smith said. "But that's the nature of the league now. Everyone has to deal with it, just like we do. Would I like to have two or three non-conference games to prepare for the Metro schedule? You bet.

"But we have 10 teams in the league and not seven. So we'll deal with it."

The Panthers will get the league's first look at Flint-Kearsley on Thursday night. West last played the Hornets in 1996 in a second-round playoff game when the Panthers won by a score of 14-7. Flint-Kearsley was 3-6 in 2007, the school's last in the Big Nine.

"They are traditionally a good football team," Smith said. "We are glad they joined our league and we look forward to playing them on Thursday."

When West makes the trip to Kearsley, it's no doubt that they are taking with them an abundance of talent. Coach Smith has two players returning from a year who earned First Team All-Conference honors, led by senior running back Ryan Miller. In 2007, Miller led the Panthers in rushing with 1,347 yards on 193 carries. The 5-7, 170-pound also added 18 rushing touchdowns and will no doubt be looking to add to those totals in his junior season.

Clearing the way for Miller will be First-Team All-Conference OL Cameron Simerau (6-1, 230). Joining Simerau on the offensive line will be Kody Woods (6-2, 240), Jake Lee (5-9, 195) and Derek Knapp (6-2, 260).

Junior quarterback Nate Smith (5-10, 160) will be taking the snaps for the offense. Blake Swan (6-1, 165) is slated as a starter at wide receiver.Ê

For the defense, junior middle linebacker Preston Haggadone (5-10, 200), who was a unanimous First Team all-Flint Metro a year ago, will once roam the middle of the Panthers defense. In 2007, Haggadone led the Lapeer West defense with 96 tackles and two sacks. Senior Tom Blanton (6-1, 225) recorded 56 tackles in 2007

and is expected to be an inside force on the defensive line for the Panthers defense in 2008.

Other defensive starters include LB Brandon Lewis (6-0, 180), LB Mac Thrower (5-9, 170) and DB Jon Morelli (5-9, 165).

Lapeer West's path to a second straight Flint Metro League will not be an easy one. The Panthers open with perhaps the three toughest opponents that could stand in their way of a repeat. After going on the road in week one to Flint-Kearsley, the Panthers host Fenton in week two before traveling south to take on the always-tough Oxford in week three. And of course, the traditional cross-town showdown with the newly rejuvenated Lapeer East looms on the Panthers schedule in week five on September 26.

This year's game with East is at home, and the Panthers will be looking to continue their dominance in the series. In the 33-year history of the cross town game, Lapeer West holds a decisive 24-9 advantage. If the Panthers can get through that point of the season unscathed, a second straight FML title would all but be a certainty.

That is, ofcourse, if the talent progresses along the way Smith wants it to.

"We have a lot of talent, yes, but we have a lot of work to do," Smith said. "We expect to challenge for the league title every year, but we have a lot of work ahead of us if we want to win it."

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