Last season's result: (Tied for 4th in Marmonte, 5-6 overall) The good: Royal won three of its final four regular-season games to stake its claim in a three-team tie for fourth place in the final Marmonte League standings. A coin toss went the Highlanders' way and they made the playoffs. The bad: RHS was hammered by Canyon 63-3 in the first round, leaving a sour taste to an otherwise solid season.

Notable returnees: Cameron Flye, sr., LB (150 tackles, 4 sacks); Derek Morris, sr., RB (42 rushes, 243 yards); Jake Mittel, sr., FS (62 tackles, 4 INTs); Matt Andreolli, sr., OL; Brad Dade, sr., C; James Preece, sr., OL Impact newcomers: Nick Zortea, jr., DE; Matt Rulon, jr., FB/LB Who they play: The Highlanders' non-league schedule features consecutive road trips to Oak Park (Sept. 14) and Ventura (Sept. 20). Expect physical, intense ballgames. In league play, head coach Gene Uebelhardt must have his players focused from the get-go. Royal's first four Marmonte matchups are at home against Newbury Park (Sept. 28), at Moorpark (Oct. 5), and back home to take on Westlake (Oct. 12) and Thousand Oaks (Oct. 19). That's a grueling six-week stretch.

Overview: Flye, the team's two-time All-County linebacker, and Mittel, a free safety with a nose for the ball, will lead a Royal defense that has been one of the league's stingiest units for years.

Offensively, RHS averaged less than two touchdowns per game in '06. Uebelhardt believes he has enough quality athletes to fix those deficiencies.

Morris moved from fullback to running back and should see the bulk of the carries. Rulon will slide into the fullback role. Michael Cooper, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound tight end, started as a sophomore. He has the physical tools to create headaches for opposing defenses. Look for sophomore wide receiver/ slot back Thomas Garner to make plays as well.

With three-fifths of the offensive line returning- Andreolli, Dade and Preece- Royal looks strong in the trenches. The question is at quarterback, where junior Trevor Shubert and sophomore Brian Blechen continue to vie for the No. 1 role.

Shubert has varsity experience and has impressed during offseason workouts. Blechen is the wild card, not only for the Highlanders but perhaps the entire league. He led the Royal freshman team to a 10-0 record last year.

In a nutshell: Although they've been a running team in the past, the Highlanders want better balance on offense. If Shubert or Blechen can emerge, Royal should contend for a title.