Western Tech barely missed the Class 2A playoffs the past two seasons, so head coach Alan Lagon is looking for the Wolverines to get into the postseason for the first time since 2010.
"We were the fifth seed again," said Lagon, whose 7-3 squad also missed out by percentage points the year before as well.
Only the top four teams advance to the playoffs.
"We were in almost every loss last year," Lagon said.
The only losses came to New Town, Hereford and Eastern Tech.
Those three are on the schedule again this season when the Wolverines play only nine regular-season games because Forest Park, originally on the schedule, closed and merged with Northwestern High.
The Wolverines top returning player is offensive and defensive lineman Chuk Kalu.
The 6-foot, 270-pound Kalu is the largest player on the 20-player varsity roster.
Kalu was third at the Maryland state wrestling tournament in the 285-pound division in the Class 2A-1A championship meet last March.
Seniors Ahmed Adewumi (5-8, 200) and John Okwesili (6-0, 225) join Kalu as two-way starters on the line.
Juniors Michael Jackson (5-9, 170) and Keith Gray (6-1, 170) make the varsity squad for the first time this season and should fill out the offensive line.
"We should be pretty solid on the offensive line," Lagon said.
Senior Akbar Aina (6-2, 190) is another two-way starter. He'll play wide receiver and defensive back.
Junior Wayne Fields (5-11, 170) joins him at wide receiver, along with classmate Jonathon Jacobs (5-9, 175).
They are the prime targets for junior quarterback Zach Jeffers (5-8, 165), who moves up from a junior varsity squad that finished with a 7-3 record.
"He's smart and fast and he's going to be the most veteran quarterback we've had in a while," said Lagon, noting he started on JV the previous two years. "He can do a lot of things."
Juniors Jayden Carr (5-9, 170) and Jaylen Frazier (5-8, 160) are the featured running backs.
"We have a really nice offense," Lagon said.
Western Tech averaged 33.3 points a game in its seven victories last season.
The stingy defense yielded only 3.7 points in games won and secured four shutouts.
"Last year, our defense was really good and I expect that to continue," Lagon said.
Senior veteran Kevin Alexander (6-0, 200) spearheads the defensive line.
With only eight seniors on the roster, Lagon likes the way some of the 12 juniors have developed strong leadership qualities.
"One of the things about this year is the juniors are pushing the seniors," Lagon said.
He is extremely impressed by middle linebacker Carr.
"He's the first linebacker in a while who will open his mouth and tell people to go where they are supposed to go and he's aggressive," Lagon said. "If you can keep blockers off of him, he's going to make plays."
He will by flanked at outside linebacker by Fields.
"Wayne Fields is going to be one of the better outside linebackers around," Lagon said.
The other outside linebacking position is still in question.
The biggest concern of Lagon is lack of depth.
That surfaced in losses to New Town and Hereford last season.
Western Tech led New Town and was close with Hereford at halftime, but injuries and fatigue cost them in the second half.
"The guys that play both ways know they cannot get off the field for breaks any time they want and that's why we run and condition a lot more than a lot of other schools," Lagon said.
That's necessary because the Wolverines are in the Class 2A North Region stocked with quality programs like Hereford, Eastern Tech, Dunbar and Patterson.
"We have one of the most competitive regions in the state," Lagon said. "There is no room for error in our region."
Western Tech opens the season at Overlea on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 1 p.m.
The Wolverines play their home games at Lansdowne High and they host Loch Raven Sept. 10 at 1 p.m.