For 12 consecutive seasons under Frank Hepler, Plantation was a perennial playoff team.

The Colonels, who never advanced further than the regional championship game, were one of Broward's best teams during that time, with players such as quarterback Ryan Schneider and receiver Kevin Beard at the forefront of the dominance.

Since Hepler's team lost in the first round of the 2004 playoffs, however, success and Plantation football have not been synonymous.

The Colonels did not win a game in 2005 and went 4-6 under Steve Davis -- including wins in the final two games -- in 2006. Last year seemed promising after a 4-2 start, but Plantation floundered over the season's final month and failed to win another contest, although three of the four losses to end the year were by a touchdown or less.

Finally, after all the struggles, the Colonels appear on the verge of reversing their recent misery.

''When I first got here, there was a lot of change,'' Davis said. ``We basically had to rebuild the program from scratch. Even though Plantation has always been very successful in the past [and] coach Hepler did a good job, there really wasn't a lot of talent when I got here. We had to build it back. Kids like Brandon McGee, Josh Robinson, Vladimir Emilien, those are the type of kids who have gotten us back. Now they're seniors. They got us to the level we want to be at.''

Two dynamic two-way players keys the optimism.

McGee, a quarterback and cornerback who orally committed to the University of Miami in mid-August, is one of the nation's top players. Ranked No. 60 by ESPN, the 6-0 and 185-pounder, is coupled with Robinson, McGee's No. 1 receiver and fellow starting cornerback, to lead the resurgence.

''I definitely think we're going to have a great season,'' McGee said. ``We're returning most of our starters from last year, having some of the guys that kind of contributed last year playing a big role this year. I think we're definitely going to have a great season.''

Robinson said: ``We have a lot of potential, a lot of great athletes, a lot of players who are willing to work. I think it's going to be pretty good.''

McGee rationalizes his belief on the strength of the defense.

He goes against it daily in practice during his reps at quarterback. He said although the unit misses both him and his receiver, Robinson, the competition aids his development.

''It definitely helps because it's so competitive,'' McGee said. ``Josh Robinson is a great receiver. Vlad is a great, great defensive back. Our defense is giving me a lot of pressure. I think I become better every day as practice progresses.''

But, at full strength, the defense is that much more lethal. The junior corners -- Tim Burke and Brandon Drane -- who man the spot while Robinson and McGee are on offense, slide to reserve roles or play as extra defensive backs on passing downs.

''It can be great,'' Robinson said of the fully constituted secondary. ``We have a lot of great athletes -- myself, Vlad and Brandon. It's a great corps.''

The improvement should be enough to make the Colonels solid contenders in District 10-6A.

''It's very difficult,'' Robinson said of the district. ``We have a lot of competitors. The competitiveness is already hyping up. It's going to be real good to see what each player actually brings to the table. It's all about how you play, not what you can say.''

Boyd Anderson, which won the district last season, lost a lot of talent to graduation. The Cobras should still be a solid contender, but much of their luster was lost when they were upset on their home field by Douglas in the first round of last year's playoffs.

Piper, which received a major influx of talent -- including top running back Deshaun Sands from Monarch -- should be much improved.

South Plantation, which made the Class 6A regional final two years ago and was the district runner-up in 2007, returns a solid, if not spectacular team.

''My district is definitely competitive,'' McGee said. ``I definitely feel we have a great chance to clinch the district just because of the camaraderie. If you noticed B.A. last year, they had a lot of great players and they weren't able to put the pieces together. It all falls back on the coach and the camaraderie and how they put two and two together.

``I think we have a great balance of both.''

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