It's a new look for the Northwestern District in 2009 as the district has seen teams from the eastern half of the old district form the new Evergreen District. That leaves the Winchester and Frederick County schools, as well as Skyline from Warren County to battle it out for this season's Northwestern crown. In 2008, Handley earned the district title with a perfect 7-0 mark and the Judges, James Wood and Millbrook all advanced to the playoffs, while both Sherando and Skyline narrowly missed out. The Northwestern should be a competitive affair once again, with all five schools having legitimate chances to get into the expanded region II postseason field.

RB Brock Lockhart, Sr.

QB Trae Tinsman, Sr.

OLB Devin Stonier, Sr.

DT Cody Winstead, Sr.

S/WR Harlan Robinson, Sr.

An experienced offense returns for James Wood in 2009. Quarterback Trae Tinsman is a three-year starter who's thrown for over 2,000 yards in his career. He's added a couple inches in height that coach Bolin hopes will allow the Colonels to throw a bit more than in the past, as well. Running back Brock Lockhart was the team's leading rusher a season ago and found the end zone seven times. Perhaps more importantly, the offensive line returns four starters and should be able to battle it out with the rest of the Northwestern District.

Defensively, the Colonels return five starters, including tackles Jesse Barnes and Cody Winstead, a first-team all-district performer last season along with talented outside linebackers Lockhart and Devin Stonier, who has a nose for the ball and good tackling ability. Free safety Harlan Robinson is the lone returning starter in the secondary, but is a good one.

Coach Bolin indicated that the Colonels would need to identify starters on the outside on both offense and defense. With no starting wide receivers back and both starting cornerbacks graduated from the defensive side, there will be opportunities for some underclassmen to step in immediately. Additionally, the defense lost six starters and will need to break in new middle linebackers and defensive ends.