And why shouldn't the Falcons be rated as the league's favorite? After all, defending champion Homestead has been bumped to the tougher De Anza Division, and Saratoga has dropped from De Anza competition to the El Camino circuit, where schools are more closely in line with its enrollment numbers.

Thing is, Saratoga was pretty competitive in the De Anza Division—both on the varsity and frosh-soph levels. The Falcons posted an impressive 9-1 record in frosh-soph play a year ago, and while their varsity notched just a 4-6 mark, they were very competitive in the league that many consider to be among the best in the Central Coast Section.

What's more, a solid nucleus of six all-leaguers returns from that 2002 varsity squad, including quarterback Brett Granum, two of his favorite receivers and two top running backs.

Granum (6-foot, 180), a talented senior who can run and throw, returns to lead the offense for the Falcons along with seniors wide receiver Paul Culbertson (6-foot-1, 170), tight end Tom Cummins (6-foot-2, 190) and running backs Dayne McGee (5-foot-10, 190) and Ryan Newberry (6-foot-1, 180).

"Our skill guys are good, along with our quarterback and wide receivers," said Heinrich. "Our line will be undersized, but smart and fast."

A key player in that offensive front will be newcomer Adam Sato (6-foot-2, 215), a junior transfer from Bellarmine. John Cha (6-foot, 250) is a returning starter in the offensive line.

Lost to graduation was two-way star Greg Van Housen, a talented guard and linebacker who earned a scholarship to UC-Berkeley. But back to lead the defense for Saratoga is comeback all-leaguer Ryan Hall (6-foot, 190) at noseguard.

Culbertson, McGee and Newberry all figure to serve double-duty in the Saratoga defensive secondary. Cummins will double up as a defensive end, and Sato will play linebacker.

Players moving up from the Saratoga frosh-soph who Heinrich expects to help the varsity are juniors Phil Spencer, Brandon Kinsting and T.J. Florence.

Spencer (5-foot-7, 160) was the most valuable player of the league at the frosh-soph level last fall. He'll see action as a running back and a defensive back on this year's varsity club.

Kinsting (5-foot-10, 170), who started at quarterback for the young Falcons a year ago, figures to back up Granum, and Florence (5-foot-6, 165) will see action at running back and in the defensive secondary.

"We will have a nice mix of returning players and younger players up from the frosh-soph," said Heinrich.

Rounding out the list of returning senior lettermen for the Falcons this fall will be center Matt Chabrier (5-foot-10, 160), running back Omar El-Ziq (5-foot-5, 145), wide receiver/defensive back Eric Frederickson (5-foot-7, 175), wide receiver/defensive back Darren Lee (5-foot-7, 160), two-way lineman Javier Meza (5-foot-11, 195), defensive lineman Alex Kassai (6-foot, 185), wide receiver John Ng (6-foot, 170), center Mark Bertelsen (6-foot, 195) and offensive lineman Jay New (6-foot, 200).

The Falcons will open the 2003 season this week when they visit Leigh on Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m., for the first of what will be four tough nonleague games.

Saratoga plays Mountain View and Milpitas, both De Anza Division clubs, in the pre-season before opening league play against Fremont. Later in the year, the Falcons will meet up with perennial rival Los Gatos, the four-time defending De Anza Division champion.

Cupertino, Los Altos and Fremont figure to be among the tougher teams in the El Camino Division this fall. In fact, Cupertino coach Jay Braun looks to his own Pioneers as the title favorite. But he's quick to point out the balance in the circuit.

"Every team in our league feels it has a chance," said Braun. "That makes for exciting football."

Fremont coach Andy Walczak, though, sees things a little differently.

"Saratoga should be considered the league favorite," he said, "with us, Cupertino, Los Altos and Santa Clara battling to beat Saratoga."

Heinrich, though, simply is looking within right now, concentrating on his own Falcons. And he likes what he sees.

"We have a great attitude on the team," said the Saratoga coach.

SARATOGA 2003 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Sept. 12 at Leigh 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 20 Mountain View at LG 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 26 at Milpitas 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 3 Fremont at LG *7:30 p.m.

Oct. 10 at Cupertino *7:30 p.m.

Oct. 17 Lynbrook at LG *7:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 Monta Vista at Cupertino *7:30 p.m.

Nov. 1 Los Altos at LG *7:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 at Los Gatos 7:30 p.m.

Nov.14 at Santa Clara *7:30 p.m.

*Denotes Santa Clara Valley Athletic League El Camino Division game.