Coach Terry Smith is trying to keep his team grounded. But mostly everyone else, including Gateway's players, believes the sky is the limit this season.

Gateway comes into the season with big expectations. The Gators have more than a half dozen Division I college prospects who are seniors and juniors and Gateway is the Post-Gazette's preseason No. 1-ranked Class AAAA team in both the WPIAL and PIAA.

"This team is so hungry to win it all this year," said star defensive end/fullback Shayne Hale.

Gateway hasn't won a WPIAL title since 1986, when Smith was the team's quarterback.

"Whatever we accomplish this season, if it's not winning the WPIAL and the state [PIAA], then most definitely it will be a disappointing season," said standout running back/defensive back Cameron Saddler.

Smith acknowledges this team is the most talented since he became Gateway's coach in 2002.

Hale is ranked among the top 25 players in the country but has moved from linebacker to defensive end. Saddler rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season and ran back five kickoffs for touchdowns.

Lineman Eric Warning (6-5, 280) and running back-defensive back Eric Livsey (6-0, 195) are two other top players.

Smith said he has five juniors who are Division I college prospects, including receiver-defensive back Corey Brown (6-1, 185) and linebacker Dorian Bell (6-2, 215). Brown and Bell already have a dozen scholarship offers.

At quarterback, Rob Kalkstein is only a sophomore, but was a starter last year. Gateway also got another talented player when slotback/defensive back Leon Green transferred from West Mifflin.

"We have to get better on defense," Smith said. "That's been our weakness the last four years."