In upcoming weeks, teams throughout the state will spend 10 days on the practice field preparing for the 2008 football season. In a series of stories, ajc.com will provide an offseason outlook for 25 of the top teams in the metro and state.

Erik S. Lesser / Special (ENLARGE)

With Cooper Taylor (11) gone, QB is among several positions the always highly-hyped War Eagles must fill this season.

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For most teams, an 8-3 season and a trip to the playoffs would be deemed a success.

Not so at Marist.

It was only the fourth time since coach Alan Chadwick took over the program in 1985 that the War Eagles lost out of the playoffs in the first round, and it was the lowest victory total at Marist since 1993.

So the pressure is on as spring practice begins next week to build a team that will live up to Marist's high expectations.

"It was disappointing to go out in the first round because we felt like we had a team that could have gone a little further," said Chadwick, who has a 259-43 record in 23 seasons. "[Tradition] helps to challenge them more to reach their potential. It is a constant struggle because you have to have a chip on your shoulder, and people are looking to knock it off. You can't let down, and everyone is going to bring their A-game at you. When you don't respect that, that is when you are going to get in trouble."

The War Eagles lost quarterback Cooper Taylor and halfbacks Derek Heyden, Kevin Lanier and Neil Schuster. Vying for the quarterback position are senior Kyle Farmer and junior Sam McNearny. But Farmer, who also pitches for the War Eagles baseball team, likely will miss all of the spring workouts.

The quarterback battle should carry on through the beginning of fall practice, and Chadwick said that the two could make a tough package for opposing teams to prepare for, if both are used.

Marist War Eagles

Region 6-AAAA

Spring practice dates: May 7-20.

Last year's record: 8-3, lost 24-7 to Habersham Central in the first round of the playoffs.

Reclassification challenge: St. Pius, Washington and Mays are no longer in Marist's region, but that doesn't make Region 6-AAAA any less difficult. But instead of playing rival St. Pius deeper in the season, the two teams will meet each other in the season-opener in a game that could set the tone for the rest of the year.

Working on: The top priority is in the offensive backfield, where fullback Matt Connors (5-10, 185) is the only returner from a team that averaged 28.9 points per game last season. The offensive and defensive lines are solid, but as coach Alan Chadwick said, the skill level and experience of his offensive backfield is "nonexistent."

Key starters lost: Cooper Taylor QB; Derek Heyden HB; Kevin Lanier HB; Neil Schuster HB; Joseph Bailey OL; Jordan Phillips DE; Jeff Rummel OL; Kyle Betz OL.

Key starters returning: Jeff Ervin (6-2, 210) DE; Spencer Mitchell (5-10, 175) LB; Matt Connors (5-10, 185) FB; Joe Pfeffer (6-1, 210) C; Jeff Ducote (5-10, 190) DL; Philip Wood (5-10, 200) DL; Brady Herman (6-1, 210) LB; Kevin Allman (6-2, 180) DB.

2008 strengths: The strengths will be in the lines. The defense should be strong with six of the front seven starters returning. The offensive line should also be improved with Joe Pfeffer anchoring the team at center.

2008 weaknesses: "Our weaknesses are everywhere else," said Chadwick after praising his lines. None of the halfbacks who will run the ball in the spring have started a game, and for the second year in a row, Marist is searching for a new quarterback.

This season's projection: There is no reason to think that Marist will miss the playoffs for the first time since 1982.

Week Two Lineup

• 4/21: ML King • 4/22: Valdosta • 4/23: Buford • 4/24: P-Ridge • 4/25: Tucker • 4/26: Fayette • 4/27: Brookwood

Week One Lineup

• 4/14: Roswell • 4/15: Norcross • 4/16: Walton • 4/17: Harrison • 4/18: Camden • 4/19: Newnan • 4/20: Stephenson