Midwest Athletic Conference forecast

The following is a capsule look at the Midwest Athletic Conference football teams heading into the 2008 season. The teams are listed in predicted order of finish.

1. COLDWATER -  How tough is the Midwest Athletic Conference? Coldwater quarterback Cory Klenke threw for 2,578 yards and 30 touchdowns last season on a Division IV state champion team and was honorable mention All-MAC. Returning players like Ohio State recruit, linebacker Adam Homan, running back Tony Harlamert and Klenke have Cavaliers fans dreaming of big things again.

2. MARION LOCAL - With back-to-back state titles in two different divisions and a 27-game winning streak, the Flyers have also created huge expectations. They have eight returning staters from last year's Division V state champs. The development of the offensive line, which has four new starters, and replacing first-team All-MAC quarterback Chris Stucke are two of the biggest questions.

3. ANNA - When the Rockets got into the MAC after dominating the less-than-fearsome Cross County Conference, some people questioned how competitive they would be. The answer is, quite competitive when you have athletes like they have now. Anna, 7-3 last season, has 14 returning starters, including nine on defense. Defensive end Eric Niekamp was first-team All-MAC last season and quarterback Wes Hunsucker got honorable mention.

4. ST. HENRY - St. Henry will put points on the scoreboard with returning players like quarterback Brad Stahl (1,053 yards passing), running back Brent Prenger (839 yards rushing) and receiver Neil Schwieterman, who caught 25 passes and also rushed for more than 300 yards. The Redskins hope to tighten up a defense that allowed 20 points a game in 2007.

5. DELPHOS ST. JOHN'S - Going 2-8 last season "wasn't a lot of fun," St. John's coach Todd Schulte says. With 14 starters back, including eight on defense, Friday nights might be a little more fun for the Blue Jays this fall. Running back Jordan Leininger, a 195-pound sophomore with speed, could give St. John's a power running game it didn't have a year ago.

6. FORT RECOVERY - The Indians have several of their top offensive players back from last season's 5-5 team, led by quarterback Greg Kahlig (1,579 yards passing, 16 touchdown), receiver Toby Metzger (10 touchdown catches) and Matt Braun (608 yards rushing).

7. VERSAILLES - Maybe the safest bet in the MAC was that the Tigers would have a new coach this season. Going 2-8, as they did last year, just doesn't fly in a town with six state football titles and three state runner-up trophies. New coach Bob Olwin is installing the spread offense, which helped him go 104-33 at Sherwood Fairview. Ten starters are back for the Tigers.

8. PARKWAY - Parkway has to replace three key players, and they all were Jordan Thompson. The Ohio University recruit threw for 2,172 yards, was first-team All-MAC as a linebacker and also was first-team All-MAC as a punter. An experienced offensive line and receiver Josh Fisher (10 touchdown catches) are the blocks the Panthers will start to build with.

9. NEW BREMEN - Running back Corey Jutte was a first-team All-MAC selection last season. He will have new starters around him in the backfield and in front of him on the offensive line, though. 

10. MINSTER - The Wildcats gave up 26 points or more in nine of their 10 games last season.  Obviously, the defense needs to improve, but the offense also needs to be productive enough to keep the ball out of the opposition's hands.