Gardner Wildcats; 2013: 6-5 (4-0 Mid-Wach C, CMass Div. 5 Playoffs).

• Position: Sports

Gardner notched its fourth consecutive winning season last year and qualified for the postseason last year thanks to a huge contribution from running backs Peter Gallant, who finished sixth in Central Mass. with 1,367 rushing yards, and a tremendous two-way effort from running back and linebacker Devin Williams.

That duo has graduated, but the Wildcats return a strong core that should keep Gardner on the winning path.

Gardner looks to give senior co-captain Jake Shetrawski more carries in the backfield, as he rushed 50 times for 366 yards and two touchdowns last year. He is joined by newcomers Evan Schoonoyer, Jesse Warrington, Carlos Maldonero, Tyler Conant and Dylan Zarozinski.

The strength for the Gardner is its line, which returns starters Mark Wiseman (6-foot-2, 240 pounds), Tyler LeBlanc (6-0, 225), Anthony Schofield (6-2, 250) and tight end Sam Gallant (5-11, 235). MacAllister (6-3, 210), Jose Lopez (6-2, 200) and Andres Marquez (6-1, 230) should also step in.

Quarterback Matt Seward also returns after completing 34 of 69 passes for 364 yards and a touchdown. When the Wildcats occasionally throw the ball, Seward will look to newcomers Alex Piermarini, Chris Davis, Dominic Martin and Kyle Beyroutey.

"We're going to be like the roads in the spring,'' coach Walt Dubzinzki said. "We have a lot of holes. Hopefully, what we've put in there works out, and they can mature and put all the pieces together.''

The Wildcats are in better shape defensively, with eight returning starters. Marquez, Brighton Cormier, Wiseman, Gallant and MacAllister are all back on the line, while Andrew Sheridan and Warrington return at linebacker and Seward is back in the secondary. That should help them with the loss of Williams, who was one of the top LBs around last season.

"We need to continue to improve defensively as the year progresses,'' Dubzinski said. "We're young and inexperienced in several key areas. We need to improve rapidly because we face a very difficult schedule.''

Wildcats at a glance

Home field: Watkins Field (grass), at the high school, 200 Catherine St., Gardner.

Brain trust: Walt Dubzinski (36th season, 171-129-2 at Gardner, 238-154-4 career). Assistants: Mike Woessner (offensive coordinator), Steve Dubzinski (defensive coordinator), Gregg Picucci, Fran Kondrotas, Mike Griezika, John Turczynski, Jim Bacigalupo, Mike Francoeur, Tim Josti, Matt Moore.

Returning starters: 14 (7 offense, 8 defense).

Captains: Sr. RB/LB Jake Shetrawski, Sr. TE/DL...