After winless seasons in 2005 and 2006, the Stearns High School Minutemen finally tasted victory last fall.

The Minutemen went 3-6, and they are hoping to build on that success this season.

Again, numbers are an issue with just 28 players dressed in Stearns colors.

But quality may compensate for a lack of quantity.

“Hopefully, we’ll get more than three wins this season. Our goal this year is to make the playoffs,” said tailback-linebacker Charlie Osborne III, the ninth-leading rusher in the LTC a year ago with 538 yards on 132 carries.

“We won three games last year and we were competitive in other games against quality teams,” said eighth-year head coach Chris Preble. “We may not be among the elite teams right now, but we’re certainly worthy of some respect.”

Preble added that a lack of depth hurt them in the latter stages of games a year ago, but he feels this team has more quality athletes so he can substitute more frequently to keep his two-way players fresher.

Osborne concurred.

“We’ve got a number of good athletes who can fill in on special teams to spell the two-way players,” said Osborne.

Osborne is one of the players headlining an experienced and talented senior class along with nose guard-wingback Curt Hamilton, two-way tackle Josh Stahl and fullback-linebacker Cory Barnett.

They just so happened to be four of the top seven tacklers in the conference a year ago.

Barnett was involved in 103 tackles, which was second best in the LTC, followed by Hamiton’s 86 (5th), Osborne’s 83 (6th) and Stahl’s 82 (7th).

“Our defense should definitely be better,” said Osborne. “We’ve got more experience now. We’ve got experienced linebackers, good corners and a good line.”

The Minutemen allowed 24.6 points per game a year ago and, if they stay healthy, they should be able to reduce that significantly.

Jason LeVasseur is making the switch from the secondary to linebacker, Nate Cyr and Charlie Tapley will be the ends in the 5-3 alignment, Caleb Wallace and Brandon McLaughlin will be at the corners, Josh MacDonald will be the starting safety and Jeremy Santerre will play up front.

The offense produced 103 points a year ago and that should improve.

Jared McGreevy, who saw the majority of snaps at quarterback as a freshman, has a year of experience under his belt. He completed 27 of 69 passes for 268 yards last fall.

Barnett was second on the team in rushing yards with 331 on 51 carries and he and Osborne will be running behind a veteran offensive line that includes returning starters Stahl, Tapley and Alan Langley.

Santerre will make the move from tackle to tight end, and Cyr will be a wide receiver.

Barnett is one of the LTC’s top punters, and Brazilian exchange student Luiz Ventura is handling the place-kicking.

STEARNS MINUTEMEN

2007 results: 3-6

Head coach: Chris Preble, 8th year

Key players: Cory Barnett, Sr., FB-LB; Curt Hamilton, Sr., NG-WB; Josh Stahl, Sr., DT-OT; Charlie Osborne III, Sr., TB-LB; Nate Cyr, Sr., WR-DE; Charlie Tapley, Soph., OT-DE; Jared McGreevy, Soph., WB; Caleb Wallace, Jr., CB; Josh MacDonald, Jr., S; Jason LeVasseur, Sr., LB; Brandon McLaughlin, Soph., CB; Jeremy Santerre, Sr., TE-DT

Outlook: The Minutemen return a lot of veterans spearheaded by an exceptional senior class. Depth will again be an issue. The Minutemen can’t afford many injuries with just a 28-man roster. They will be energized and more confident after snapping a two-season winless streak with three wins a year ago. If McGreevy can spread out opposing defenses by throwing the ball more efficiently, it will create even more running room for quality backs Osborne and Barnett. The defense could be vastly improved. The playoffs – eight teams make it this year – are a realistic goal.