DIVISION 2 WEST.

Byline: Jim Wilson

Bartlett Indians

Coach (career record): Chris Nasis (15-7).

Assistant coaches: Jerry Nadeau, Scott Kunkel, Jason Grenier, Donald Bernier.

2007 record (division): 9-2 (5-2).

Returning starters: 11 (5 offense, 6 defense).

Captains: Sr. QB/DB Jesse Bond (1,636 passing yards, 19 TDs); Sr. RB/LB Nick Cameron.

Other key returnees: Sr. WR/LB Randy Katz, Sr. RB/LB Sean DaRocha, Sr. OL/DL Matt Gonzalez, RB/LB Sean Algeri, Sr. TE/LB Chris Dery, Sr. OL/DL David Wagoner.

Notable newcomers: TBA.

Strengths: Linebackers and quarterbacks.

Weakness: Overall depth.

Scouting report: The Indians lost some quality players with the graduation of Nick Kiritsis and Nick Bellerose, but Bartlett will look to players like Bond at quarterback and Cameron and Algeri at running back to fill the void. Bartlett returns 11 players from last year's nine-win team and should be able to compete in a tough division. Bond will look to Katz and Dery as his top targets, while Gonzalez and Wagoner will provide the blocking up front.

Schedule:

Sept. 12 ... David Prouty, 7

Sept. 19 ... at Uxbridge, 7

Sept. 27 ... at Northbridge, 1

Oct. 4 ... at South, 4

Oct. 10 ... Clinton, 7

Oct. 18 ... at North, 3

Oct. 24 ... at Shepherd Hill, 7

Oct. 31 ... at Quabbin, 7

Nov. 7 ... Grafton, 7

Nov. 14 ... Tantasqua, 7

Nov. 27 ... Southbridge, 10:15

North Polar Bears

Coach (career record): Dan Boyle (First season).

Assistant coaches: Greg Yannavich, Armando Collesei, Tom Serafin.

2007 record (division): 6-5 (2-4).

Returning starters: 15 (8 offense, 7 defense).

Captains: Sr. OL/LB Paul Distefano, Sr. QB/DB Eddy Maldonado, Sr. OL/DL Onasis Ocasio.

Other key returnees: RB Humphrey Souza (824 rushing yards, 12 TDs), TE/DE Kwame Akoto, RB/DB Cody Carter.

Notable newcomers: RB/LB Rishawn Shannon, QB/DB Jean Torres, OL/LB Jose Figueroa, TE Derek Walker, OL Albert Munoz, OL Steven Naranjo, LB Kevin Portee, DB Michaelangelo Shavies.

Strengths: Captain leadership, work ethic, defensive line

Weaknesses: Skill positions, depth.

Scouting report: Boyle steps in for longtime coach Mike Ross, but the Polar Bears will still retain their double-wing offense that players like Souza and Carter will thrive in. North has some big linemen in co-captains Distefano and Ocasio, while Maldonado is a returning two-year starter at quarterback.

Schedule:

Sept. 12 ... at Oxford, 7

Sept. 20 ... Worcester Tech, noon

Sept. 27 ... Burncoat, 1

Oct. 4 ... Southbridge, 1

Oct. 11 ... Quabbin, 7

Oct. 18 ... Bartlett, 3

Oct. 24 ... at Tantasqua, 7

Nov. 1 ... at Doherty, 4

Nov. 8 ... Shepherd Hill, 1

Nov. 14 ... at Northbridge, 7

Nov. 26 ... South, 7

Northbridge Rams

Coach (career record): Ken LaChapelle (259-80-6).

Assistant coaches: John Demagian, Jess LaChapelle, Matt Gauthier, J.J. Donohue, Dave Mills, Steve Falconer, Dean Bennett.

2007 record (division): 12-1 (5-1).

Returning starters: 12 (6 offense, 6 defense).

Captains: Sr. TB/DB Ryan Mahoney, Sr. QB Zach Zidelis (2,058 passing yards, 18 TDs), Sr. T/LB Paul Wallen, Sr. SE Mike Padro (65 catches, 917 receiving yards, 12 TDs).

Other key returnees: Jr. TE Casey Hippert (318 receiving yards, 3 TDs).

Notable newcomers: Jr. T Matt White, Jr. QB/FL Ben Richards, So. SE/S Evan Mackintosh, Jr. T/DT David Cram, Jr. G/LB Nick Ducey, Jr. SE/S Andrew Guy, Jr. FB James Tabur, Jr. T/DE Gino Perro.

Strengths: Experience at skill positions.

Weakness: Depth.

Coach LaChapelle's comments: "Division 2 is very competitive this year," LaChapelle said. "Anyone can beat anyone on a given day and the second year of the playoff system provides for great excitement...