Livingston Wolves

Coach: Chris Lacey

Career record: 33-42

Record at school: 27-37

Last year: Livingston (6-6, 2-4) won five of its first six, before staggering into the playoffs on a four-game losing streak. The Wolves stunned Ripon in the first round, however, before its season ended with a 27-0 loss to Hilmar.

Last league title: 1990

Last playoff berth: 2011

Coaching staff: Bryan Benifield, Eddie Abbasi, Alan Tate, Mike Perez.

Top returners: RB/OLB Brian Perez (6-0, 220), TE/ILB Javier Montanez (6-1, 230), G/DT Rolando Garcia (6-0, 230), RB/LB Juan Zuniga (5-10, 180), LB/RB Sal Millan, LB/RB Francisco Peres, DT/OL Jorge Mendoza, NG/OL Joe Collins.

Top newcomers: QB CJ Avila (soph.)

Outlook: Lots of speed on defense and Avila arrives with a reputation for having a big arm. … Perez (881 yards, 7.3-yard avg., 8 TDs; 95 tackles, 2 sacks, INT) is one of the district’s best all-round players, and he’ll be tested quickly as the Wolves upgraded their schedule with Hilmar, Johansen, Le Grand and Mariposa. ... Lacey has done one of the district’s best jobs the last few years, with the Wolves playing five playoff games – an unheard of stat for a program that was struggling before Lacey began to make his mark. The Wolves upset Ripon in the playoffs in 2011. … Montanez and Garcia have bulked up and both will be three-year starters. Zuniga could provide a nice speed option in the backfield.

Key game: Week 6 (Oct, 5) at Patterson. With Los Banos and Central Catholic expected to battle for the title, the Livingston-Patterson winner could be looking at a third-place finish and a playoff berth.