August 18, 2011

The Madison Mountaineers have made the playoffs the last two seasons, but they've also been knocked out in the first round both times.

"It's a terrible feeling," said wide receiver Travis Warren. "That's just more motivation for this year. Hopefully we're going to get to the playoffs and we're gonna go farther than we ever have."

This season the Mountaineers are loaded with experience. More than half of the starters are back from last year's team that captured the Bull Run District championship.

"We return seven on both sides of the ball so we feel like we've got a good nucleus and a good base to develop into a pretty good football team again," said head coach Stuart Dean.

Madison looks to be especially strong in the trenches. The Mountaineers return four of five starters on the offensive line and three of four starters on the defensive line.

"That's such a great starting point to have those returners there," said Dean. "That's such a key point in the game of football."

The Mountaineers kick off the 2011 season at home when they host East Rockingham.