Patterson Tigers

Coach: Nick Marchy

Career record: 7-4

Record at school: 7-4

Last year: Patterson (7-4, 4-2) finished the second by giving up 106 points in its final two games, including a playoff opener. After reaching the D3 semifinals in 2010, the Tigers didn’t beat a team with a winning record last season.

Last league title: 2010

Last playoff berth: 2010

Coaching staff: Larry Cardoso, Steve Cardoso, Wyatt Hogan, Kenny Durham, Junior Tivao.

Top returners: QB Joey Lopes, OL/DL Robert McDonnell, LB/TE Miles Jacks, RB/LB Drake Vatuvei, WR/S Avion Warmsley, FB/DL Inoke Vaniuku, TE/LB Chase Guenther, WR/DB Dominic Dawkins, RB/DB Tywayne Adams

Top newcomers: RB/CB Brandon Williams (jr.), OL/DL Jessie Nuia (jr.), TE/DE Jordan Levu (jr.), RB/LB Michael Campbell (jr.), tE/LB Ruben Rosas (soph.), QB/DB John Perez (jr.).

Outlook: Lopes finished last year as the varsity QB, and his strong arm should allow the Tigers to throw the ball downfield a few more times. .. Tigers need to rebuild their lines, and how do you replace Pio Vatuvei – a two-time all-district defensive tackle who is now with the Washington Huskies? … The defense will be smaller, but Marchy promises more quickness and just as much aggressiveness. … It’s always good when last year’s JV team went 8-2, and that talent is going to play immediately to account for heavy graduation losses. It’s best the varsity forget how 2011 ended – losing 58-22 and 48-28 in its last two games.

Key game: Week 10 (Nov. 2) vs. Central Catholic. Patterson has the makings for another playoff run, but it can’t afford another regular-season finale like last year’s 58-22 loss. This game could be for second place, or a share of the WAC crown.