Elbert’s last trip to the playoffs came in 2006, when the members of this year’s senior class were freshmen. The Bulldogs would love to end their high school careers in similar fashion.

The coaches of the Class A 8-man East Conference Black Forest Division seem to think they will, all picking Elbert as the favorite.

“We’ve set a couple goals this year,” coach Shawn Graves said. “We want to win the league again this year, qualify for state and do well when we get there. We won the league for a couple years then Miami-Yoder came in and knocked us out.”

The Bulldogs (5-3, 3-1) return five senior standouts, including running back Dawson Weber who averaged more than 200 yards per game.

“Our numbers are good. I have 26 kids out,” Graves said. “I like the potential. We’re going to wait and see.”

Two key players will be missed early on. Senior Kyle Brown will miss four games because of surgery and junior Travis Hutchens, who has transferred back from Ponderosa, must sit out the first half of the season as required by the Colorado High School Activities Association.

That could be a plus for neighboring rival Kiowa (2-7, 1-3), which plays Elbert in the first half of the season. The Indians have solid senior leadership, according to coach Jeff Rice, but the rest are inexperienced.

In the South Conference Southern Division, Hanover looks to improve on a 2-6 record. Quarterback Chris Davis threw for 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns last fall.

TEAM PREVIEWS

Colorado School for the Deaf and BlindCoach: Joe Sisneros, 35th year2008 record: 4-4Key losses: Nick Elstad, Regi MadrilKey returners: DE Kalub Bray, Sr.; DB Domenic Lopez, Jr.; RB A.J. Moody, So.; OL/DL Ryan Peterson, Sr.; RB Bryan Smith, Jr.Key newcomers: None listed

ElbertCoach: Shawn Graves, fourth year2008 record: 5-3Key losses: None listedKey returners: TE/DE Kyle Brown, Sr. (all-conference honorable mention); OL/DL Joe Crabbs, Sr. (all-conference); OL/LB Hunter Culla, Sr. (all-conference); TE/DE Ivan Spence, Sr.; RB/DB Jack Suder, Jr.; RB/DB Dawson Weber, Sr. (1,733 yards, all-conference)Key newcomers: QB/DB Travis Hutchens, Jr. (Ponderosa transfer)

HanoverCoach: Luke Decker, second year2008 record: 2-6Key losses: Tim Brinson, Leo Garcia, Jared Gilbreth, Kyle Runyon, Tyrell WillisonKey returners: TE/LB Cameron Brown, Sr.; QB/LB Chris Davis, Sr. (1,231 yards, 15 TDs, all-conference); RB/DB John Gilbreth, Sr. (900 yards, all-conference honorable mention); RB/LB Frank Hughes, Jr.Key newcomers: OL/DL Cody Koehler, Jr.; TE/LB Nate Runyon, Jr.

KiowaCoach: Jeff Rice, first year2008 record: 2-7Key losses: None listedKey returners: QB Cody Campbell, Sr.; RB/DB Justin Campbell, So.; OL/DL Ben Jones, Jr.; RB/LB Emmanuel Munoz, Jr.; TE/LB Ben Pierson, Sr.; OL/DL Ben Totsch, Sr.Key newcomers: None listed

Miami-YoderCoach: Don McGatlin, third year2008 record: 9-1, lost in first round of playoffsKey losses: Zach Butts, Michael Carl, Jeremy Dole, Louis Solis (moved to Texas)Key returners: QB Rob Adams, Jr.; TE/DE Mike Hopson, Sr.; RB Shane Reed, Sr.; WR/DB John Uribe, Sr.Key newcomers: None listed

Pikes Peak ChristianCoach: Doug Nave, first year2008 record: 1-8Key losses: All eight starters to graduationKey returners: RB Shawn Brown, Jr.; QB/LB Dalton Nave, So.; RB/LB Casey Smith, So.Key newcomers: None listed

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