Silva (5-foot-9, 175 pounds) threw for 1,137 yards and 12 touchdowns in nine games for Fremont a year ago, and Walczak is excited about the prospect of him returning to lead the Firebirds' offense this season, especially with the return of talented wide receiver Chris Knopf (6-foot, 185).

"We have a fantastic athlete at quarterback who should help us score some points," said Walczak of Silva, who doubles as the club's punter. Silva played well enough last year to win all-league honors as a utility player in the El Camino Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League.

Claiming the second team utility spot on the all-league list was Silva's teammate Knopf, who served double time as a receiver and strong safety.

"I expect Chris to have a big year at receiver," said Walczak of Knopf, who averaged 18.5 yards per catch and scored three touchdowns last fall.

All-league returners Gave Ruiz (5-foot-7, 175) and R.J. Davis (6-foot, 240) head up Fremont's hopes in the offensive and defensive lines. Ruiz won all-league first team honors at defensive end after making 51 tackles in 2002, and Davis was an all-league second team pick in the offensive line. Ruiz will return to his spot at defensive end for the Firebirds this year, and Davis will serve double duty as a center and defensive tackle.

Senior letterman Ernesto Ancona will see time at noseguard for Fremont.

"We should have more depth on the offensive and defensive lines this year," said Walczak. "These two areas should be our strengths."

"Our skill position players are young, but should get better as the year goes on," he added.

Senior Marcos Frias is a varsity returner at running back, but saw little action last fall. He'll be joined in the backfield by junior Aaron Hickson (6-foot-2, 180) and sophomore Jay Atkins (6-foot-1, 180), both up from the frosh-soph.

Junior guards Sean Garrett (6-foot-2, 220) and Alex Tucker (6-foot-1, 195) are other newcomers up from the frosh-soph who figure to play key roles for the varsity, along with sophomore defensive back Nathan Cathcart (5-foot-10, 180) and junior linebacker Adrian Arias (5-foot-9, 180).

Walczak hopes that the mix of experienced veterans and talented newcomers will get Fremont into the top three in the El Camino Division this fall. The coach looks to Saratoga as the division's team to beat.

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

Fremont is coming off a fourth place El Camino finish last year. The Firebirds, who last won a division championship in 1996, were 3-3 in league play and 4-6 for the year.

Walczak, who worked as a varsity assistant at Fremont, Cupertino and Monta Vista before landing the head coach job for the Firebirds last year, is assisted by Mike Smith, Tim Wadholm and Cip Sena III.

Fremont opens the season on Sept. 13, playing host to Willow Glen at 7:30 p.m. at Diesner Field. The Firebirds will then face Independence and Mountain View in nonleague games before opening league play against title favorite Saratoga on Oct. 3 at Los Gatos.

Fremont Football Schedule

Sept. 13 Willow Glen 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 19 at Independence 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 25 Mountain View 7:30 p.m.

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

Oct. 10 Monta Vista*7:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 at Los Altos*1:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 Homestead 3:15 p.m.

Oct. 31 at Cupertino*7:30 p.m.

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

Nov. 14 Lynbrook*7:30 p.m.

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