2005 Season: 6-4, lost in first round playoffs

Head Coach: Chad Zeien

Head Coaching Experience: 4 th year at W-P (23-10, three playoff appearances), 12 th overall (55-52, five playoff appearances)

Base offensive set: Double-wing

Base defensive set: 4-4

Returning starters: Bryce Ankoviak, sr. (TE/DL); Rodney Crainer, sr. (WR/DB); Buddy Bright, sr. (RB/LB)

Other returners: Tim Bradburn, sr. (QB/DB); Mike Gusler, sr. (WR/DB); Brett DeBoever, sr. (WR/DB); Jeff Pokorny, sr. (RB/DB); Kyle Clare, sr. (TE/DL); Rodney Crainer, sr. (WR/DB); Andrew Wheeler, sr. (RB/DB); Adam Javor, sr. (RB/DB); Jared Dietzel, sr. (RB/DB); Robert Johnstone, sr. (OL/DL); Thomas Jennings, sr. (OL/DL); Eugene Herriman, sr. (OL/DL); Shane Osier, sr. (OL/DL); Todd Snyder, sr. (OL/DL); Samson Slocum, sr. (OL/DL).

Outlook: Cards struggled to score points last year, but won its final four to make the playoffs for the 11 th time in 12 seasons. With just three returning starters and a new offensive system, W-P is depending on its tradition highly-motivated off-season work to make up the difference.

“We have a lot of returners (18 overall) but we lack playing time,” says W-P coach Chad Zeien. “With (that) and a new offensive system, we need to learn quick. These kids have worked extremely hard since last season. Their work ethic and self-discipline will go a long way.”

Much of the Cards’ success will depend on how the offensive line comes together.

“We’ve got some kids that we’d like to get a little more aggressive,” he says. “We need to get them to realize how much they could dominate.”

The Cards will play an independent schedule again this year, which for the first time in six years won’t include parochial powerhouse Saginaw Nouvel. There will be plenty of potential land-mines, though, with playoff teams Mio, Benzie Central and New Lothrop on the slate. The Cards will also welcome former coach Kyle Tobin, who took W-P to the state title game three times, winning once, as Tobin brings his Oscoda team to W-P in the second week of the season.