It must have seemed like an eternity since Calhan football faithful witnessed their Bulldogs participating in the state playoffs, let alone win a postseason game.

Calhan made it from 2003 to 2005, but it wasn’t until last season’s 50-14 drubbing of Ignacio in the opening round that the Bulldogs could finally boast a victory.

This year, with a new coach, Calhan (8-3 last fall) hopes to improve. Former assistant Ryan Wilkie takes over, and Class A 11-Man South Central Conference opponents should see some changes.

Wilkie isn’t saying, but with an experienced quarterback in senior Clint Hammond, four senior receivers and a couple of offensive line standouts back, one has to wonder if the Bulldogs will air it out.

“We’re moving in a different direction,” Wilkie said. “It should help us.”

To get back to the playoffs, Calhan will have to battle neighboring rival Peyton and playoff contenders Burlington and Byers. Then there’s Limon, which boasts a record 17 state titles.

The league presence of the Badgers, not to mention their mother lode of talent, make winning the South Central a more trying task than reaching the playoffs.

“It’s still Limon’s to lose,” Wilkie said. “You know they’re going to show up and you know they’re going to be good.”

Peyton hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2007 and will rely on senior linebackers Nick Lancaster and Blake Tope.

Cripple-Creek Victor (0-9) has a new coach in Richard Dispenza and promising players in seniors Michael DiCamillo, Kyle Hamacher and Kyle Tapia.

TEAM PREVIEWS

CalhanCoach: Ryan Wilkie, first year2008 record: 8-3, lost in second round of playoffsKey losses: 12 to graduation, including RB Jeff CooperKey returners: QB Clint Hammond, Sr.; OL/DL Dylan Lempp, Sr.; TE/DE Ethan Mease, Sr.; WR/DB Ryan Stine, Sr.; WR/DB Josh Woolsey, Sr.; OL/DL John Young, Sr.Key newcomers: None listed

Cripple Creek-VictorCoach: Richard Dispenza, first year2008 record: 0-9Key returners: WR/DB Michael DiCamillo, Sr.; QB/DB Kyle Hamacher, Sr.; RB/WR/DB Davin Roach, Jr.; RB/LB Kyle Tapia, Sr.Key newcomers: OL/DL Jared Bowman, So.; WR Anthony Linenburger, Sr.; OL/DL Jared Woods, Sr.

PeytonCoach: Ken Delahoy, first year2008 record: 4-5Key losses: Brett Green, Craig Soulka, Justin SpurlingKey returners: OL/LB Nick Lancaster, Sr.; WR/DE Bryant Thomas, Sr. (1,100 all-purpose yards, all-conference); TE/LB Blake Tope (120 tackles)Key newcomers: QB Cole Ellis, So.; RB Zach Hudson, Sr.; QB/RB/WR Kyle Soulka, Fr.

Pine Creek coach Todd Miller worked with quarterback T.J. Dennis during a recent practice. Photo by JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE