Two seasons ago STAB was at the top of the mountain, hoisting a state championship trophy.

But last season the Saints took a tumble down that mountain, finishing just 5-5.

"I mean we all want to go out there and we want to win all we can. But we also have to recognize that there are certain times and situations that you're not going to win all your ballgames. Sometimes people are just better than you. And that happened a couple times last year," head coach John Blake explained.

"To be honest with you I think it's going to make us work harder. I'm just like every other coach. Anything we can motivate our kids to work a little bit harder we'll take it."

Thus the Saints entered this offseason with a renewed focus and intensity in an effort to get back to the playoffs.

"We're working hard, we're trying to get much better. Our goal is back in the playoffs, that sort of thing. So we're not going to stop until we get there," senior lineman Nathan Silver said.

"Everybody's really hyped," added fellow senior lineman Aaron Stinnie. "We're just out here yelling, going crazy, make sure everybody is working their hardest, moving everybody on. It's looking good."

STAB lost a few key contributors to last year's team in Branford Rogers, Shane Palmateer, Dylan Park and Charles Sipe.

Where the Saints used to have a size advantage over opposing teams, Blake believes the team will be quicker this season with a spread offense being featured over the customary ground-and-pound at STAB.

"We're not the 'oh my gosh' Saint Anne's teams anymore," Blake said. "We're not gigantic, we don't have a bunch of superstars but we have a lot of good, fast athletes."

"This year I think we're going to be more focused and I think we're going to be working even harder than last year."