2006 Season: 6-4 (3-2, 2nd place tie NEMC); lost in first round of playoffs

Head Coach: Tim Webb

Head Coaching Experience: 2nd year at Tawas (6-4); 3rd year overall (6-13)

Basic Offensive Set: Multiple / Double-Wing

Basic Defensive Set: 5-3

Returning Starters: Eric Stec, sr. (WB); Ricky Payea, sr. (WB/LB/K); Shaun Jordan, sr. (WB/DB); Alex Verlac, sr. (RB/LB); Aaron Pfeiffer, sr. (OL/LB); Brad Hatcher, sr., (OL/LB); Jeremy Meshew, sr., (OL/LB); Brian Janego, sr. (OL/DL); Kyle Landon, sr. (OL/LB); Tyler Klenow, sr., (TE/DE); Tyler Wojahn, sr., (RB/LB); Justin Bonnell, sr., (OL/DL); Tyler Jones, sr., (OL/DL); Tom Domerese, sr., (DL); Casey Wheatley, jr., (WR/DB).

Total Returning Players: 19

Outlook: Last year the Braves surprised everyone by jumping from 0-9 to 6-4 and a playoff appearance. Though they won't be sneaking up on anyone this time around, Tawas is well-positioned to contend for playoff repeat and should be in a contender in what should be a very entertaining race for the North East Michigan Conference title.

Like much of the league, the Braves fielded a young team last year and will reap the benefits of having 15 returning starters in their lineup.

“We have 21 seniors on the team and many of them gained a lot of experience last year,” says Tawas coach Tim Webb. “That is definitely a positive. We're still small, though, so we'll have to play fast and smart.”

Much of that speed rests in the skill positions on offense, led by first-team all-NEMC running back Alex Verlac, honorable mention wingback Eric Stec and junior wide receiver Casey Wheatley. Last year's quarterback, Ricky Payea, moves to wingback and will also be starting at linebacker.

"The move was a tough one at first for Ricky," Webb says. "But he is an outstanding wingback and linebacker and is loving the new positions because he can 'hit' more people now."

Senior Dale Kolnitys and sophomore Jesse Siwek are locked in a battle for the starting quarterback position.

The offensive line won't be big, but with five returners, anchored by first-teamer Aaron Pfeiffer, the experience and depth there should enable to Braves to continue to break off the big plays that kept opponents on their heels in 2006.

Shaun Jordan (second-team all-NEMC) returns to anchor the defensive backfield, with Verlac (linebacker), Tom Domerese (defensive line) and Tyler Wojahn (linebacker) among the leading tacklers returning from last year.

When you improve your record by six games in one season, it gets people's attention and Webb knows the Braves can't look back to last year.

In addition to staying healthy, “We need to continue to work hard and stay focused in practice,” says Webb. “Our goal will always be to prepare as hard as possible to beat whoever it is we are playing that week.”