Five things you should know about the Golden Hawks:

1. They have their leader.
“Last year was somewhat on my shoulders. This year it’s all on my shoulders,” quarterback Kane Wilson said. “I’m going to have to carry the load a lot more because we lost 25 seniors and 20 of them started.

"I’ve been more vocal. Last year I didn’t have a say in anything. But the last two games (in the playoffs), when we were down, I had to keep my poise and be a leader, just tell them to calm down. This year, everybody’s going to be listening to me. I’ll have to set a better example and be the big guy.”

2. They aren't worried about having a target on their back after winning back-to-back division championships.
“It was similar last year,” Coach Jeff Bailey said. “We’re just trying to get better each week. We were doing that last year. If you would have seen us in the spring last year (it looked as if) we would have won one game. It’s no different this year. I’m sure people will want to play us tough. They always do.”

3. Players to watch: LB Billy Henley, LB/TE Kevin O’Connell

4. Areas of need: offensive line, defensive line

5. Areas of strength: quarterback, defensive back

>> El Dorado's 2007-08 Season Totals

>> More Spring Football Insider articles on El Dorado

>> Insider articles on other O.C. football programs

Contact the writer: amaya@ocregister.com