Last year, coach Daryle Weiss took the reins of the Rockland High School football team with the long-term goal of helping the Class C Tigers contend.

This year, a wide-open conference race and the return of a top-notch running back has left Weiss optimistic.

“I’ll tell you, the Campbell Conference is dead even from top to bottom,” Weiss said. “Anybody can beat anybody.”

That parity should benefit the Tigers, who went 1-8 a year ago while learning Weiss’ system.

“I expect that we should be in the mix,” Weiss said.

“A whole year of being in the weight room and the kids being comfortable with the offense and defense [should pay off].”

Another reason for optimism: speedy tailback Mike Curtis, who has added 12 pounds of muscle to his 5-foot-6 frame and enters his senior season carrying 147 pounds.

Curtis rushed for more than 1,000 yards a year ago and added an 80-yard punt return.

He’ll be the workhorse in Rockland’s inverted wishbone attack.

The offense features two fullbacks who line up behind the guards.

“[Curtis] can make people miss because he’s so fast, and even though he’s small, he’s been on the weights so much, he’s strong and can run over some people,” Weiss said. “He’s a kid that, within two steps of the ball being snapped, he’s at full speed.”

Curtis is also a top student who participates in chorus, band, and drama competitions, and has raised funds for the Coastal PeeWee Football League. Weiss hopes his back’s well-rounded high school resume leads to inclusion among the Fitzpatrick Trophy nominees at the end of the season.

Clearing the holes for Curtis, fullbacks Trevor Davis and Matt Baudanza, and junior quarterback Frank Pavalkis will be an offensive line with plenty of bulk.

“When we line up across from you, you’re gonna know [we] were big,” Weiss said.

He’s right: Counting the tight end, the six starting offensive linemen average a shade under 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds.

Brian Athrens, a 6-2, 300-pound tackle, is the biggest of the bunch, but he’s joined by tackle Paul Curtis (a 6-4, 285-pound sophomore), guards Justin Kirk (6-0, 210) and Jeff Cash (5-11, 190), and center Wes Drinkwater (6-2, 280). Tight end Austin Podziewski is 6-3 and weighs 230.

The Tigers will attack opposing offenses out of their base 4-4 defensive set.

Weiss said 29 players have turned out for football. That total is similar to last year’s number.

“I think the numbers, the amount of kids we get out, is the only concern,” Weiss said. “The kids we get out are committed. We need to win some football games and kids around the town will want to be a part of it.”

The Tigers weren’t a typical 1-8 team last year, giving up an average of 17.5 points per game while scoring 16.2 of their own. Weiss said mistakes at key times proved costly.

“I think this year with the kids being more comfortable and more familiar, it will cut down on mistakes and the wins will start coming,” Weiss said.

ROCKLAND TIGERS

2001 results: 1-8, 9th among Campbell Conference “C” teams

Head coach: Daryle Weiss, 2nd year

Key players: Mike Curtis, TB-DB, Sr.; Trevor Davis, FB-DB, Jr.; Matt Baudanza, FB-LB, Sr.; Austin Podziewski, TE-LB, Jr.; Frank Pavalkis, QB, Jr.; Dan Williams, SE-LB, Jr.; Brian Athrens, OT-DT, Jr.; Jeff Cash, OG-DE, Sr.; Wes Drinkwater, C-DT, Jr.; Justin Kirk, OG-LB, Sr.; Paul Curtis, OT, So.; Evan Kohls, SE-S, Sr.

Outlook: Coach Daryle Weiss held a preseason camping trip with his team on a rare summer night: It rained. The second-year boss hopes sunny days are ahead for a program that hasn’t enjoyed much recent success. The massive offensive line could keep Campbell Conference foes busy and give the speedy Curtis some running room.