The Dons posted a 2-8 record last year in Mitchell's first season as the school's football coach. A year later, Mitchell is looking for more like an 8-2 record and possibly a conference championship.

"We are very excited about this year's team at De Anza," said Mitchell. "We had a great turnout of 104 players."

The best of the bunch just could be sophomore lineman Adam Toeniskoetter (Los Gatos).

"He is one of our top players in the offensive line this year," said Mitchell of the 6-foot-4, 300-pound tackle.

Toeniskoetter is one of nine sophomores that Mitchell is looking for big things from this season.

Center Mike Kisor (6-foot-1, 252, Wilcox) and Jason Tomlinson (5-foot-11, 270, Westmont) are other key returner 'sin the offensive, line for the Dons.

Quarterback Rod Banks (6-foot, 180, Santa Teresa) will lead the De Anza offense and Ben Gamble (5-foot-6, 180, Santa Teresa) is back as running back.

Wide receiver Jaye Reinman (6-foot-1, 190, Homestead), place-kicker Gordon Hawley (5-foot-10, 185, Lynbrook) and kick returner Jason Robideaux (6-foot, 190, Harbor) are other key returners for the Dons.

Cornerback Steve Adams (5-foot-11, 160, Milpitas) and linebacker Robert Amjad (6-foot, 215, Oak Grove) are top returners on the De Anza defensive unit.

Top freshman prospects for the Dons include linebackers Thomas Albrecht (6-foot-3, 240, Harbor), Scott Mueller (6-foot, 212, Cupertino), Kyran Warren (6-foot-2, 250, Willow Glen), Thomas Albrecht (6-foot-3, 240, Harbor) and Nehemiah Palazzo (6-foot-2, 225, Milpitas); defensive end Fernando Palazzo (6-foot-5, 265, Milpitas); defensive linemen Kimjohn Villegas (5-foot-11, 310, Oak Grove), Paul Gemignahi (6-foot-4, 250, Leigh) and Joe Barfield (6-foot-3, 290, Oak Grove); tight end Sean Sosnovec (6-foot-3, 240, Portland); offensive linemen Matt Banbury (6-foot-3, 315, Fremont), Nick Arnold (6-foot-4, 320, Fremont) and Michael Ball (5-foot-10, 280, Fremont); cornerbacks Donnell Forks (5-foot-10, 175, Fremont), Steve Adams (5-foot-11, 160, Milpitas), Anthony Martinez (5-foot-6, 160, Santa Teresa) and Delaney Durgin (5-foot-9, 185, Fremont); free safeties Lawrence Johnson (6-foot-5, 170, Woodside) and Carl Stoneberg (6-foot-1, 180, Santa Teresa); running backs Lamar Johnson (5-foot-5, 150, Menlo-Atherton) and Phett Rosenbledt (6-foot-2, 230, San Mateo); and wide receiver Clay Hathorne (6-foot, 215, Menlo-Atherton).