Was last season a fluke or the product of a finely tuned machine?

That is the question that will be meeting both coaches on the field tonight as Woodstock hosts Kell in the season opener for both teams.

For the Wolverines, last season began with an unsteady 2-4 start. But from that point, Woodstock reeled off four straight wins, including an improbable win at East Paulding, to clinch the program's second postseason berth in 11 years.

The Wolverines' improbable run didn't end there as they upended Region 6AAAAA champ Walton and Norcross in consecutive rounds to reach a quarterfinal-round game at Camden County. Woodstock put a scare into the heavily favored Wildcats, but the eventual state champs escaped with a one-point win.

Heading into the '08 season, Kell was coming off a two-win season in which it allowed 40 or more points four times. Enter new coach Derek Cook and quarterback Austin Petrik and the Longhorns did a 180, tying a school record with eight wins.

Both coaches agree that last season's success will be a distant memory when tonight's game kicks off.

"It doesn't matter what you do the last year, it's what you do this year," Woodstock coach Mike O'Brien said. "Everybody looks at your last game or your next game to see how you are doing. Last year is over, and I know Kell feels the same way. They are getting ready to make another run just like they did last year and for us to be ready, we have to compete with them and play our hardest."

O'Brien's counterpart on the Kell sideline agreed that tonight's game will be a proving ground for both squads.

"I think both of us are walking around now with a big target on our back," Cook said. "Last year, if you beat Kell, it wasn't a big deal because you were supposed to. This year, you kind of feel like you have done something if you do that, and the same thing for Woodstock. It's nice to kind of feel like you have earned some respect, but at the same time, last year was last year and it's not going to help you win anything."

Kell, which beat Woodstock, 13-10, in last year's opening game, does return experience in Petrik and running back/defensive back Brian Randolph. Both juniors, Petrik and Randolph are expected to be the heart of the Kell offense, though Randolph is already garnering attention from college scouts for his skills as a safety.

As a sophomore, Randolph carried the ball 58 times for 592 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught 23 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, he made 104 tackles and intercepted three passes - returning one for a touchdown.

Aside from Petrik and Randolph, the Longhorns lost mant of their skill players to graduation, leaving rookie receivers as targets for Petrik.

Both coaches agree the pivotal battleground will come on the lines. Cook knows that his team can't run the ball or pass protect if the guys up front don't take care of business.

"If Petrik or Randolph or whoever the third guy is back there gets a block and find a crease, look out, because those guys can run."

That's exactly what O'Brien is afraid of.

"We know (Kell's) going to be a heck of a team to play," he said. "They've got a real good offensive team and do a tremendous job moving the ball. We've got to play good defense and protect the football on offense. If we can do that, then we've got a chance."

O'Brien said it's also crucial that his team maintains control of the ball so Petrik and Randolph don't get many chances to work their magic.

Leading the defensive effort for the Wolverines will be defensive captain Corey Carmichael, Jonathan Bermudez, Zach Hitt, Adam Burke and Drew Yeargin.

"They are going to be competing against probably one of the best running backs in the state in the Randolph kid," O'Brien said. "For us to be able to have a chance to win, we won't be able to stop him, but we've got to slow him down."

On offense, Woodstock will look to first-year quarterback Kevin Bolak and running backs Carlos Davis and Tanner Skogen. Key receivers will be Michael Seymour, Trevor Bagwell and Justin Toliver. Veterans Sean Wheeler, Aaron Palomares, Ian Wolfe, Sean McConnell and Evan Wilson will make up the offensive line and open holes for Davis and Skogen while protecting Bolak.