The Imps allowed 11.8 points per game and gave up only 6.5 per game in their last four match-ups, all against playoff teams. Cary (9-3) was eliminated in the playoffs 6-0 by Fuquay-Varina.

Four all-conference defenders graduated, but coach Ben Kolstad expects this year's club to be just as formidable.

"I think we'll play defense just as well," Kolstad said. "It will be the same type of defense with some younger kids mixed in with our veterans."

Middle linebacker David Polletta and lineman Lennie Paul are expected to be three-year starters, but Kolstad said the strength of this year's group is its cohesiveness.

"We might not have anyone who really stands out," he said.

The defense helped the offense a lot early in the 2010 season, setting up scoring opportunities and scoring touchdowns with returns of kicks, fumbles and interceptions.

The offense is expected to be more consistent this year. Tight end Jackson Gomez and interior blockers Calvin Clary and Ryan Beeler are seniors who started as sophomores.

Runner DeAndre Henry ran for 1,494 yards in 2010 and quarterback Connor Chase passed for 1,060 yards despite a late-season injury that knocked him out of the lineup.

Kolstad remembers two years ago when he looked on the field and nine of his 11 players were freshmen or sophomores.

"Those guys have really worked hard," he said. "We're expecting good things from them."