Facing what could be called the most daunting schedule in program history, the Linfield Wildcats enter the 2009 season with high expectations.

Finishing as Northwest Conference runner-up the last three seasons after a string of five straight league titles, Coach Joseph Smith and the Wildcats know the program is due to get over the championship hump.

Linfield begins its quest for a 54th consecutive winning season against two nationally ranked teams. Seventh-rated Hardin-Simmons visits Maxwell Field on Sept. 12 before the Wildcats face No. 23 Occidental the following weekend in Los Angeles. That begins a string of four consecutive road games that includes two plane trips to California and long bus rides to Ashland and Spokane, Wash.

“We have very high expectations,” said Smith, a former Linfield player and longtime Wildcats assistant who begins his fourth season as head coach. “Our kids are very committed to reaching their goals. We have a good balance of talent and experience coming back. If we pay attention to the things we can control, our destiny is in our own hands.

Smith is first focusing on the little things before getting too worried about the big picture.

“This team has worked hard during the offseason on its cohesion and interpersonal relationships. Any time those qualities are high, a team most always performs well under adverse circumstances.”

There are more than a few holes to fill from last year’s team that finished the season with a 5-1 league record and 6-3 overall mark. Just eight starters return -- four on each side of the ball -- and the Wildcats must also overcome the graduation of first team All-America kicker Scott Birkhofer.

OFFENSE
“We’re going to strive to continue to have the best execution,” said Smith when asked what would be the trademarks of his offense. “We’re looking to have solid production from both the passing game and the running game. If we can do that, we should be effective.”

QUARTERBACK
There’s ample talent and experience at quarterback, where Aaron Boehme is healthy once again. Boehme started the 2008 season opener against Hardin-Simmons but didn’t finish it, leaving the game in the second half with a season-ending collarbone injury.

Cole Bixenman, an all-league catcher for the Wildcats baseball team, started two games last season. Transfer Aaron Hire (Foothill College) and freshman Mickey Inns of Gresham High School are the most intriguing possibilities. .

RUNNING BACK
Five players return with experience, though none was a regular starter in 2008. Simon Lamson is back as the leading ground gainer from a year ago, but Aaron Williams and Kevin Abbott showed flashes of brilliance as reserves. Veterans Taylor Avritt and Cole Rogers may also emerge as prominent performers.

TIGHT END
Smith is pleased with the development of two sturdy tight ends. Returning starter Russell Sells was a dual threat last year and 6-foot-6 junior Chris Saunders could develop into a great tight end before his career is over. Smith hopes the pair helps solidify the running game while becoming valid weapons in the passing attack.

OFFENSIVE LINE
The blocking unit returns three starters, including All-America candidate Aaron Heston. At 315 pounds, Heston is big, strong and agile. Fellow returning starters Scott Millenbach, a guard, and center Kyle Otineru join him. Lettermen Chris Buck, Ian Ballantyne, Travis Tocher, Mike Schmidt, Jordan Barnes and Hayden Mace provide a measure of experience and depth up front.

RECEIVER
Four experienced pass catchers are in the mix to earn starting positions, led by seniors Trevor Patterson and Gunnar Cederberg. Junior Ryan Henderson and sophomore Buddy Saxon give the Wildcats two more capable targets. Freshman Garrett Saiki, from Spokane’s Ferris High School, is a rookie to watch.

DEFENSE
The Wildcats should be formidable once again, based on the return of a savvy and skilled linebacking corps, a retooled line and a talented secondary.

“Our defense, in my opinion, has been really the most consistent in the conference the last several years,” said Smith. “Like those teams, this group has the chance to be dominating if they play to their potential.”

LINEBACKER
NWC all-stars Alex Tkachuk and Jaymin Jackson are poised for spectacular senior seasons, along with fellow veterans Paul Partlow, Steven Dark. Freshman Axel Cederberg could make an immediate impact.

DEFENSIVE LINE
Without graduated all-star Taylor Summers at end, the line faces some rebuilding, but Smith believes collectively the group could be better than last year. Eric Hedin, Ian Estrada and Sparky Gonzalez should provide plenty of speed and strength at end, while NWC all-star tackle Paul Nishizaki will anchor the middle. Scotty Ray and Keith Rader will battle for a starting spot at the other tackle position.


SECONDARY
Smith gets excited when talking about his emerging secondary, which features no seniors yet is loaded with talent and experience. Bryce Comfort, who started at safety last season, moves over to the corner, along with rising stars Nate Dixon and Taylor Skore. Sophomores Drew Fisher and Kole Kreiger, both outstanding athletes, will battle for the top job at safety, while Christian Hanna and Kalaé Parish will vie to see who starts at monsterback. Three sophomores are in contention at rover, where Brett McKechnie, Travis Wong and James Testa are all capable athletes.

SPECIALISTS
Five newcomers are challenging for the kicking and punting chores and it will likely take most of training camp to sort out whom the Week 1 starters will be.

SCHEDULE
After starting the season against Hardin-Simmons at home, Linfield plays on the road for four consecutive weeks, including time-consuming trips to Occidental, Southern Oregon, Menlo and Whitworth.

The Wildcats also play defending NWC champion Willamette on the road on Oct. 24. The Bearcats are picked to repeat as NWC champion in a straw poll by the conference's coaches, marking the first time in nearly a decade Linfield has not been considered the league favorite heading into the season.

SUMMARY
Clearly, Linfield has much to prove in 2009. The program seeks to capture its first NWC crown since 2005 but the 'Cats know they face a stacked deck when it comes to the overall strength and ease of the schedule.

“We’re focusing all our energy on getting ready for Hardin-Simmons,” said Smith, evaluating a rugged schedule that has just four home games. “It’s going to be hard to be away from our home field for a month. Guys are just going to have to be efficient with their studies and not let the distances be a factor in how they perform in the classroom or how they play on the field.”