Ricky Gable has watched the Thiel College football team's rise to prominence in the Presidents' Athletic Conference up close.

Gable, a 2003 graduate of Mars Area High School, has been a starter on Thiel's offensive line since his freshman season.

"It's been a lot of fun watching this team come together," said Gable, a senior. "We were 3-7 in my freshman year, then improved to 7-3 my sophomore year. So last year wasn't a total surprise to me."

The Tomcats traveled into uncharted waters last season, posting their first unbeaten regular season (10-0) and gaining their first NCAA Division III playoff berth.

"I was a little surprised at first by our great season. Then I thought about how hard the team and coaches have worked the last three years to turn the program around," Gable said. "When I looked at things that way, it was no surprise."

Thiel finished the 2005 season with an 11-1 record, which included two playoff games. The Tomcats' only setback was a 24-13 loss to Bridgewater, Va.

"We finally got the program back to where it should be," Gable said. "Our goal this season is to continue that success.

"Our expectations are the same as they were last season: win the opener, win the PAC title, win a national championship."

Gable chose Thiel despite the Tomcats' 3-7 record during his senior year at Mars.

"The coaching staff was one of the main reason' I chose Thiel," said Gable. "I could see the dedication they showed and saw they were taking the program in the right direction."

Gable broke into the starting lineup at guard as a freshman due to injuries on the offensive line. He started nine games, then started all 10 the following season and was voted honorable mention All-PAC.

Last season, he started all 12 games and was voted first-team All-PAC.

"Ricky is an outstanding student/athlete who has a great work ethic," said Thiel coach Jack Leipheimer. "He's not flashy, doesn't talk a lot, but leads by example."

Gable's teammates recognized his leadership by voting him as one of their tri-captains.

"It's a great honor to be one of the captains of such a good team," Gable said.

Gable is one of 16 returning starters. Three key starters graduated from an offense that averaged 32.9 points per game last season, including quarterback Darrell Satterfield, who fired a school-record 46 career touchdown passes.

"We're going to count on the running game a lot more, mainly due to our change at quarterback," Gable said. "We're going to be doing a lot of blocking for Steve Minton."

Minton is a 5-foot-10, 195-pound junior who became Thiel's first 1,000-yard rusher with 1,066 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Gable is one of three returning starters on the line. The others are guard Rock Davis and center Jimmy Fawcett. Senior Billy Blankenship is the quarterback.

Gable will earn a degree in business administration and international business.