"We have a lot of guys coming back."

For Brentsville District baseball coach Brian Knight, that may just be an understatement. He has seven returning starters from the 2009 Northwestern District title team and seven returning seniors too. Only three members last year graduated.

What that means practically for Brentsville this season is that, once again, expectations in Nokesville are extremely high.

And that's not just from the press or fans. Take Knight, for example. When asked about his team's goals, he replied: "This year: win the state tournament."

When asked to elaborate, he explained that making it to the big dance isn't enough. They've been there and done that, particularly two years ago when Posoquon eliminated the district and region-champion Tigers in the quarterfinals of states on their home field.

This time around, they've got two senior veterans in Justin Weaver and Austin Hale on the mound, both of whom played summer and fall ball during the off season,

Given that junior Ryan Douglas developed a greater pitch selection in the off-season -- he's incorporated more off-speed and breaking pitches into his repertoire compared to last year -- Knight said he will be the No. 3 man hurler.

Knight is counting on his veterans to provide continuality in another way. He plans on starting James Kerns, Zach Stronko and Weaver in the first three positions of the batting order, just like last season.

"They're expecting a lot from each other and I am too," said Knight.

Regarding the speedster Kerns, Knight remarked that the centerfielder has played outfield "all his life." Now in his third varsity year, Kerns said he and other baserunners plan to be more aggressive on the basepaths and batter's box this year as they attempt to increase stolen bases and first-pitch hits.

"One through nine, everyone's going to be solid," he said of the line up, adding that there is home run potential from lead off to the sixth spot in the batting order.

Catcher Brian McBride moved up one slot in the order to clean up while the fifth spot. As the first member of the squad to sign on to an NCAA D-I school, McBride will actually be sharing time behind the plate with junior Alex Klaasse and sophomore Jake Brown as McBride is due to play outfield for Longwood University.

Knight described his second-string catchers as "very capable," adding that he is "not going to be nervous about putting either of those guys back there."

Who fills McBride's former spot in the five hole will likely be determined by committee with Brown, Klaasse and junior Mike Lennox all in the mix, according to Knight.

The coach also made two significant changes to the squad this year. For one, he eliminated the position of team captain this year, stressing instead for team cohesion amongst the seniors and veterans.

"They know what needs to be done," said Knight.

However, that doesn't mean the team is without on-the-field leadership, something which Weaver claimed the team "didn't have that last year."

Knight also brought in hitting coach Rhett Teller, an '02 graduate of Liberty HS who played in the minors for the Evansville Otters and Edmonton Cracker-Cats. Kerns lit up speaking about the new coach, declaring "He's very assertive; it helps us a lot."

During the Tigers run to states in 2008, they had the complete package: ace pitching, solid senior leadership and an inordinate knack for clutch hitting. However, Knight said he did not view that season with a "do or die" lens just of the veterans and he claimed the same this year even though more than half of his starting line up is due to graduate.

"It's going to be fun to see them gel," said Knight.