Polk County

Head coach: Derrick Davis (123-88 here; 129-107 overall)

Returning starters: 7 offensive; 5 defensive

Last year’s record: 4-6 overall, did not qualify for Class 2A playoffs

Key players: Cade Brewer (5-10, 225) So. QB, Damian McWilliams (6-2, 170) Jr. RB/DB, Brody Lewis (6-0, 250) Sr. OL, Derek Burgess (5-11, 250) Sr. OL, T.J. Hawkins (6-1, 195) Jr. LB, Tadd Davis (6-4, 165) Sr. LB, Ryan Cronan (5-11, 205) Sr. LB, Mason Posey (5-11, 255) Sr. OL, Eli Hammons (6-1, 260) Sr. OL

Season outlook: Although it was a late coaching change — Davis was brought back in late June — there is certainly an established history of what to expect.

In his previous stint with the Wildcats (2000-2018), he turned a struggling program into one of the area’s most consistent winners. By his second season, Davis had guided them to nine victories, their first winning record in eight years and what became the first of 13 straight. Polk went on to win five region titles and finished the regular season unbeaten in 2009.

The combination of Davis’ track record of success and 12 returning starters — including McWilliams, who led the area in interceptions last year and will get most of the carries on offense — means Polk could contend for its first winning season and first playoff appearance since his last year in charge.

Davis said he does not expect the short amount of preparation time since his return to be an issue.

“We aren’t real complicated with what we do,” he said. “We just want to be a physical team that doesn’t beat itself with mistakes. We’ve got some good experience and some guys with talent, so I’m excited to see what we can get done.”