High expectations are in the air at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology as the Bulldogs looks for their 12th straight winning season and a chance to regain the Seaboard Conference football title they last won in 2008.

The Bulldogs, who are led by head coach Joe Wysock for the fourth consecutive year, return 25 second-year players in an attempt to better last year's 7-3 mark.

Last year's team came up just short of the conference title, falling to Valley Forge in the championship game. Wysock returns six starters on offense and six on defense and has three goals for the upcoming season, which starts Sunday, Aug. 29, at Delaware Valley JV.

"We want to have another winning season, win the Seaboard Conference and finish undefeated," Wysock said Saturday. "The key to these goals will be how the freshmen at key spots mature. I feel they will, but that first game will be a real test."

Freshmen will play the biggest role at quarterback. Last year's starter, Vondre Griffin, a second-team All-League selection, returns, but he will be playing defensive back the majority of the plays.

Wysock will continue to go with a two-quarterback lineup. This option allows two different-style quarterbacks under center in Frank Gaffney and Jerron Lewis. Lewis, of Central Dauphin East, will be the option quarterback who can run well, while Gaffney, of Blue Mountain, will operate as the passing quarterback out of the spread.

"Vondre has really helped us with the running part of the passing game," Gaffney said. "I am very familiar with the spread from my high-school playbook. I like the two-quarterback [system] as it gives each of us a break and a fresh quarterback available at all times."

Two strengths of the team will be the defensive line, where four starters return, and an intact secondary. The key players include Mike Marquis, a 6-foot-3, 370-pound nose guard from Upper Darby; James Pettigrew, of Plymouth Whitemarsh; and Jordan Fisher, of Conrad Weiser.

Benny Ortega (Lebanon), who will serve as one of the team captains this year, returns at running back. He will be joined in the backfield by Vaughn Jacobs (Wissahickon).

Ortega said he sees a big difference in team attitude this year.

"There were so many fights between teammates last year," he said. "We had a winning season, but not a great attitude. People are having more fun this year, and we will all come together to beat the other teams."

The other captains are Griffin and offensive lineman Justin Dudurich, of Moshannon Valley.

"Overall, with 25 returning players we have the talent to win the title but we need to play together as a team," Wysock said. "The chemistry and playmakers are there."

Eleven former Lancaster-Lebanon League players are part of the Bulldogs squad.

Ortega is joined by fellow Lebanon County player Tyler Bennett, from Cedar Crest. Jason Doelman is from Reading. Bruce McCloud Jr., Charles Baynard and Julius Johnson are from McCaskey, Tyler Axe from Penn Manor, and Jake Boettner and Tyler Torello from Solanco.

Chris Andrews, from Manheim Central, and Manny Mendez, from Hempfield, are both expected to earn significant playing time. Andrews will serve as punter and wide receiver, and Mendez will line up at wide receiver.

"I love this team," said Mendez, a freshman. "It is like a big family. The coaches teach us to work hard at practice and have fun afterward. The second-year players have provided such great leadership and really push us to be as well conditioned as possible."

The coaching staff returns nearly intact, with nine assistant coaches aiding Wysock. The team also has Phil York as statistician and Mark Bleacher as strength-and-conditioning coach.

After its road opener, Stevens has a week off before facing George Mason on Saturday, Sept. 11, at Bevilacqua Stadium. The team will also have home games against Salisbury College, Williamson Trade School, Walter Reed and West Point Prep.

Schedule (home games capitalized): 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29, at Delaware Valley JV; 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, GEORGE MASON; 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, at Wesley College; 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26, SALISBURY COLLEGE; 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2 (homecoming), WILLIAMSON TRADE; 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10, at Albright JV; 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, WALTER REED; 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, at Williamson Trade; 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, WEST POINT PREP; TBA, Saturday, Nov. 6, at Valley Forge Military Academy.