Notre Dame

Head coach: Charles Fant (74-43 here and overall)

Returning starters: 6 offensive; 6 defensive

Last year’s record: 3-7 overall, did not qualify for Division II-AA playoffs

Key players: Justin Baker (5-10, 160) Jr. WR/DB, Kenny Hammond Jr. (5-8, 150) Sr. WR/DB, Jermaine Smith Jr. (6-0, 205) Sr. WR/DB, Cash Bandy (6-2, 170) So. QB, Dylan Vintrov (5-10, 180) Sr. WR/LB, Jadon Vintrov (6-0, 200) Jr. OL/LB, Rickey Maples (5-8, 160) Sr. RB/DB, EJ Carter (5-9, 155) So. RB/ LB, Sam Gribben (5-11, 200) Sr. DL

Season outlook: Once a perennial power, the Fighting Irish will try to bring their program back to winning standards.

Notre Dame played for the Division II-AA state championship in 2017 and won nine games the following season. However, over the past three seasons the program has won just eight games — and two of those were later taken away by forfeit.

The current seniors would love nothing more than to close their careers with their best year yet after back-to-back threewin seasons.

Dylan Vintrov led the team last season with seven tackles for loss, with four coming in a 7-6 win over Grace Christian. He and his brother Jadon should provide a powerful tandem at linebacker.

Coach Fant returns solid experience on offense with playmakers Baker and Hammond, who each had games of 80 receiving yards last season. Hammond produced five plays last season covering more than 30 yards and returned two interceptions for 73 yards.

“Our goal as a team is to make the playoffs and make a deep run,” Hammond said. “Even when I was playing other sports, I would be out here working on routes with my teammates. Hopefully the work we have put in will show up when the lights are turned on.”

Maples is a strong leader and is expected to carry a heavy load out of the backfield along with Carter.

The progression of Bandy in his second season at quarterback will be another key to the Irish’s fate. He completed 30 of 58 passes for 260 yards in limited action last year.