Assabet Aztecs.

Byline: Jim Wilson

2011: 11-2 (5-1 Vocational, Division 6 Super Bowl Runners-up)

Home field: Assabet Valley Regional High (grass), across from the school at 215 Fitchburg St., Marlboro

Brain trust: Coach: Rob McCann (ninth season, 67-9. Assistants: Ken Stukonis, Pat Inderwish, Tom Comer, Nick Ferrera, Tom Feldmar, Pat Donohue, Peter Collins.

Returning starters: 5 (2 offense, 3 defense).

Captains: Sr. C Jeremy LeBlanc, Sr. TE/DE Pierce Desimone, Sr. RB Paul Harpin (158 carries, 1,189 rushing yards, 10 TDs), Sr/ T/DT Josh Mellen, Sr. G/DT Nick Brecken, Jr. G Keith DeAmicis.

Other top players: Sr. QB Tyler McDonald, Jr. RB Kyle Fernandes, Jr. RB/DB John Stake.

Out with the old: The Aztecs graduated Division 6 Offensive Co-MVP Nate Costello, who led Central Mass. with 2,058 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns.

In with the new: Sr. RB/DE Raphael Nery, Jr. RB Santo Frascolla, Sr. RB Chris Schofield, So. RB/DB Enrico Bonnici., So. WR Derek Yanchewski, Sr. WR/CB Charles Hunter, Jr. WR Marvin Byrdson, Sr. WR Bobby Mulvaney, So. G Kevin Messom, So. G Tony Sassone, Jr. T Tyler Charbonneau, Sr. T John Sharland, Jr. OL Nate May, So. QB Marty Henry, Jr. QB/LB Tom Walsh, Sr. LB Jason Torrez, So. LB Travis Divoll.

When the Aztecs have the ball: Wing-T offense. ... Scored a school-record 370 points (28.5 ppg) last year. ... The running game will be a strength for the Aztecs, as Harpin returns in the backfield, while Stake and Fernandes help shoulder the load. ... Desimone will be a threat at TE. ... McDonald should take snaps under center, with Walsh and Henry in the mix. ... Yanchewski, Hunter, Byrdson and Mulvaney will be receivers.

When their opponents have the ball: Multiple 50 defense. ... Allowed 210 points in 2011 (16.2 ppg). ... The secondary should be strong with the return of Fernandes and Stake, while Harpin and Hunter will also help out. ... Desimone is back at defensive end. ... Sassone, Torrez and Walsh will play linebacker. ... LeBlanc should be a force on the defensive line, while May, Sharland, Yanchewski and Nery can fill in.

In the trenches: LeBlanc (6-2, 270) will be the mountain in the middle. ... Look for Messom (5-10, 210), Sassone (5-9, 180) and DeAmicis (5-10, 210) to see time at guard. ... May (5-11, 230), Charbonneau (6-1, 185) and Sharland (6-0, 250) line up at tackle.

One to watch: It's no secret that Assabet likes to try to run teams over, so LeBlanc is going to be a big...