RUSSELL – With 16 returning letterman and 13 returning starters, Eisenhower has an experienced team ready for battle in the AML North in 2002.

The top returning players for the Knights, who finished 2-7 in 2001, are quarterback Jacoby Curtis, wide receiver Ryan Irwin and linebacker Jake Rulander.

Last season Curtis completed 41.8 percent of his passes (56-for-134) and threw for 720 yards and five touchdowns while also tossing eight interceptions.

Irwin had 24 catches for 461 yards and four touchdowns in 2001, and Rulander led the team with 155 tackles.

"We want to win over half of our games this season," assistant coach Frank Franklin said. "Our defense should be the strength of the team.

"If we take care of all the little things, the rest of it will take care of itself."

Coach Franklin believes the teams to beat in the AML North this season are Smethport and Coudersport.