Linden Lions

Coach: Mark Miller

Career record: 132-98-4

Record at school: 132-98-4

Last year: Linden (5-6, 2-3) had a wild year, with the winning team scoring at least 30 points in its 11 games. That includes the Lions’ 30-27 win in the regular-season finale, clinching a playoff berth, and a 41-14 loss to eventual section champion Hilmar in the first round.

Last league title: 2004

Last playoff berth: 2004

Top returners: QB Daniel Snider (5-11, 141), RB Andrew Lewis (5-9, 180), LB Mikey Clark (6-0, 170), K Manuel Robles (6-0,160), G/LB Daniel Titus (5-9, 190), OT/NG Jacob Lovelace (6-5, 327), OT/DE Marcus Angele (6-3, 215), RB/LB Bailey Wright (6-1, 190), TB/LB Bret Holladay (5-9, LB Ramon Prasad (5-9, 176), C Coby Ott (6-1, 231), TE/LB Chris Tschirky (6-2, 194), QB/DB Eddie Murarik (5-11, 160).

Top newcomers: OT Jacob Stoddart (6-1, 218, jr.), G/DL Dakota Steinkamp (6-2, 197, jr.), WR Clayton Arnold (6-1, 163, jr.), T/DL Tanner Eaton (6-3, 231).

Outlook: The Lons board two of th league’s top skill players in Snider (1,329 yards passing, 13 TDs, 5 INTs; 522 yards rushing, 4 TDs; 4 INTs as a DB) and Lewis (1,001 yards rushing before getting hurt in Week 6), while Clark set the school record with 164 tackles and Robles converted 38 of 39 PAT kicks. … Lovelace is large and strong, which is good news for Snider and Lewis. … The defense has some gaps to fill, and the offense needs to gain consistency – to many four-and-outs a year ago.

Key game: Week 9 (Oct. 26) vs. Bret Harte. At this point of the season, both are likely to be in the playoff race – but it’s likely that only the winner of this game will earn the necessary win total to advance.