A key to BHS' season could be the development of its receiving corps. The Raiders lost David Cook (565 yards, 7 TD) and Josh Mitchell (551 yards, 6 TD) to graduation. They combined for 67 catches.

BHS will have its version of Johnson & Johnson in the backfield at times. Senior Levi Johnson will start at quarterback, while his brother, junior Marcus Johnson, is expected to split time at fullback.

Rigo Schmelzer, the winningest coach in BHS history, is likely to surpass 140 victories this season and should hit the 150 mark next year. Schmelzer enters his 15th season with a 135-29 record.

Don Anderson, former BHS defensive coordinator, took two years off to watch his son, Joey, play at Normal Community. He is back coaching running backs and linebackers, but will have Friday nights off to watch his son play his senior season.

Go ahead and buy your playoff tickets. The Purple Raiders have made the postseason 20 years in a row, the longest streak in the Pantagraph area.