With the loss of 10 starters from last year's team that finished as state runner-ups in the VISAA, Division 3 playoffs, North Cross is preparing to make another run deep into the playoffs.

The Raiders, who return five starters, will be relying heavily on a trio of players.

"We are returning starting quarterback senior Thomas Weaver,  who was a second team all-state in 2010; senior Paul Ross is moving to left tackle and senior Chris Shelton will be handling the snaps," said head coach Stephen Alexander.

Weaver completed 119 of 245 passes for 1700 yards in 2010 and has been looking good in camp thus far, while Ross is an all-state lineman.

"We hope to be able to move the ball through the air and on the ground in our spread attack," added coach Alexander.

As far as areas that need improvement, offensively, coach Alexander mentioned, "We must replace two dynamic receivers from 2010, as well as a starting tailback."

Defensively, the front seven are very athletic and physical. Senior Paul Smith, second team all-state last fall, anchors the line, while senior George Revercomb, a second team all-conference player, leads the linebacking corp.

"We graduated three starters in the secondary, so we're relying on returning starter senior Kyle Fraser to be a leader on that unit," noted coach Alexander, when asked if there was any winkles in the defensive unit.

New to the North Cross schedule is Norfolk Christian and Carlisle. They are replacing Ben E. Smith, NC. and Covenant.

Coach Alexander sees his top game as being on Sept. 3 at 2 p.m. when they tackle visiting Norfolk Christian in a rematch of last year's Division 3 state championship game.

"We play a very ambitious schedule after graduating 11 seniors, including 10 starters and eight all-conference or all-state performers," Alexander added. "Depth will be an issue so staying healthy is key this season."

North Cross, who will be playing all of its home games on Saturday afternoons this season, open the season this Saturday at home against Charlotte Latin School. Kickoff is 2 p.m.