Coach: Jim Kubuske, second year
Last season: 2-7, 2-5 TAAC
Returning letter winners: 12
Returning starters: Offense 6, defense 6
Schemes: double wing/4-3
Top players: Seniors Zack Demony, 6-0, 160, RB-S; John Seymour, 5-10, 225, OT-DT; Trent Fuller, 5-10, 170, TE-LB; Travis Rodriguez, 6-2, 175, WR-S; Julius Nunez, 5-8, 150, RB-LB. Juniors Steve Materni, 5-10, 230, G-LB; Cesar Baara, 5-11, 230, C-DE.
Outlook: The Cardinals will build around what Kubuske expects to be solid offensive and defensive lines. Demony rushed for 706 yards and scored six touchdowns in 2011.
Youth and inexperience may overwhelm Stritch, which includes 25 freshmen and sophomores among the 36 players. The Cardinals were picked to place sixth in the conference. The secondary is perhaps the biggest question mark going in.
"A lot is going to depend on how our young kids develop," said Kubuske, who enters his 30th overall season as a high school head coach with prior stints at six other Ohio schools. "They need to step up and deliver and mature quickly.
"A key will be the beginning of the season in our non-league games. We need to build some confidence to carry into the TAAC."
2012 CARDINAL STRITCH SCHEDULE
Aug. 25-Woodward at Clay
Aug. 31-at Woodmore
Sep. 7-Lakota at Clay
Sep. 15-Danbury at Clay
Sep. 21-Toledo Christian at Perrysburg
Sep. 29-Gibsonburg at Clay
Oct. 5-at Ottawa Hills
Oct. 13-Edon at Clay
Oct. 19-at Hilltop
Oct. 26-Northwood at Clay