It was with mixed emotions that he watched 16 of the 22 starters on his 2002 Lincoln Lions' team graduate. That group included 10 offensive and defensive all-leaguers. Among those players were offensive league leaders that finished second in passing, second in rushing, third in receiving, and second in scoring.

It would be a challenge under any circumstances to rebuild a team that has lost that type of experience and talent. The fact that the Lions have moved up to the Santa Teresa Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League, where the league competition is typically stronger, makes the task much more difficult.

Even though the Lions finished in second place in the West Valley Division of the BVAL with a 4-1 league record in 2002, they were given the opportunity to move up a division when the league champ, Yerba Buena, was allowed to remain in the lower division.

You definitely won't find any doom and gloom from Collins, though. This is his 11th year as head coach of the Lions, and moving up a division is what he has had his sights on for the Lincoln program for several years. "We are excited by the move up," said Collins.

The only offensive starter returning is tackle Fernando Barker (6-foot, 275 pounds), and he was only a starter for the last three games of 2002. Collins will be counting heavily on members of the second-place 2002 frosh-soph squad to step up into varsity positions and perform well.

Collins has a little more of a foundation to build upon when it comes to his defense.

The anchor of the defense will be senior linebacker Travis Schaff, who is a three-year varsity player and was an all-leaguer in 2002. He will play alongside fellow linebacker and returning starter senior Lee Dydo.

The secondary should be in good shape, with solid experience, as both cornerbacks are returning starters. Bryan Anderson will line up on one side and Juan Aguilera will be on the other.

The defensive line will be more of a challenge to rebuild, because the only starter coming back is Vlad Lapsdin. Again, former frosh-soph players will be expected to fill those holes.

Collins knows that he has a "young team" at many positions and he admits that he and his staff "don't know what to expect" in the coming season.

But he also says the team has "worked extremely hard" to get where it is now and to prepare for the new challenges of a tougher division. He is confident that the Lions "will be competitive" in 2003.

The Lions will open the '03 season this week when they host Gunderson on Sept. 13, 1 p.m. The Grizzlies play in the BVAL's Mt. Hamilton Division. Lincoln will also play Del Mar and Evergreen in nonleague games before opening Santa Teresa Division play on Oct. 11 against Prospect.

Lincoln High School 2003 Football Schedule

Sept. 13 Gunderson 1:30 p.m.

Sept. 26 at Del Mar 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 3 at Evergreen 7:00 p.m.

Oct. 11 Prospect * 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 17 at Andrew Hill * 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 25 Branham * 1:30 p.m.

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

Nov. 8 Westmont * 1:30 p.m.

Nov. 15 at Leland * 1:15 p.m.

Nov 27 San Jose at SJCC 11 a.m.

*Denotes Blossom Valley Athletic League Santa Teresa Division game.