The Monarchs opened last season by winning two of four nonleague games, but then went winless in the rugged West Catholic Athletic League to wind up with a lackluster 2-8 season.

What's more, Mitty was hit hard by graduation and returns just six starters from that club, including five offensive linemen. But Brown's optimistic and considers those lineman to be pretty solid blocks on which to begin the rebuilding process.

Gary Nagle, Kyle Richard, Jason Khalipa, Mike Medaglia, Mike D'Ambrosio and Andy Helmer all started for the Monarchs a year ago and return to the field for Mitty this fall.

Nagle (6-foot, 245 pounds) is returning starter in the Mitty defensive line, where he was selected for the all-league first team last season. He finished the year with 45 tackles, six of them in enemy backfields.

Richard (6-foot, 220) started at tight end for the 2002 Mitty club, but he'll move into the backfield to play fullback this year. He doubles as an inside linebacker.

Khalipa (5-foot-10, 235) returns to his starting spot at strong guard, and strong is certainly the word for him. Khalipa boasts an individual best 990 pounds in the combined core lifts to figure as Mitty's strongest player.

Medaglia (6-foot-1, 225) is back as a starting tackle for the Monarchs, D'Ambrosio (5-foot-9, 195) moves from guard to center and Helmer (5-foot-9, 202) moves from strong guard to quick guard.

Pat Hart (5-foot-10, 171) will be Mitty's free safety, but he'll also see time at linebacker and will be the club's punter. Versatility is nothing new for Hart, though, who has played linebacker, defensive back, running back and quarterback over the last three years.

Jason Kunkel (6-foot-3, 210) is a varsity returner who will see double duty as a tight end and outside linebacker.

The comeback starters give Mitty a solid foundation on which to begin the rebuilding process, but Brown understands that young players will have to play key roles on this year's squad. There will be a number of sophomores and juniors in the skill positions for Mitty—not all that bad considering that the Monarchs won WCAL titles at the junior varsity and freshman levels.

Mitty faces a powerful pre-season slate that includes East Bay powerhouse De La Salle. The Monarchs will play host to the Spartans—owners of the longest winning streak in the nation (138 games)—on Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m., at Foothill.

Mitty High School Schedule

Sept. 6 at Gunderson 1:30 p.m.

Sept. 12 De La Salle at Foothill 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 20 at Menlo Atherton 2 p.m.

Sept. 26 Salinas at Foothill 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 Riordan *1 p.m.

Oct. 11 at Serra *2:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 at Valley Christian *1 p.m.

Oct. 24 St. Francis *7 p.m.

Oct. 31 Bellarmine at SJCC *7:30 p.m.

Nov. 15 Saint Ignatius *1 p.m.

*Denotes West Catholic Athletic League games.