TEAM TO BEAT

Brashear: For once, it's not Perry. A number of starters return from a Brashear team that lost in City League final a year ago. QB-LB Jermaine Robinson has committed to West Virginia. Ed Tinker is one of the best receivers in the state. Other top returnees are receivers Quamane Bryant and Eric Hemingway, and linemen Andrew Moore, Dave Wetzel and John Wetzel.

CONTENDERS

Perry: The Commodores are inexperienced, but receiver John Henderson and QB Erron Farrow return.

Oliver: The defending City League champion Bears have a new coach in Tim Keefer. The Bears lost a number of key players, but QB DaVaughn Copeland was all-City a year ago.

Schenley: RB Jeremy Hawkins returns from a playoff team last year.

Peabody: The Highlanders must develop a line to block for RB Stewart Townsend (927 yards rushing last season) and QB Ryan Bailey (1,017 passing yards).

Allderdice: RB Joe Short rushed for 1,000 yards last season and was all-City along with lineman Dave Yancy.

THE OTHERS

Carrick: All-City receiver WR-DB James Jett and RB Ray Seskey give the Raiders hope to improve on last year's 2-8 season.

Langley: Mychael Bailey returns as QB for new coach Ken Wright.

Westinghouse: New coach C.J. Connor will build around QB Mustafa Asante, a transfer from Brashear, and lineman David Palmer.

-- By Mike White