2018 Democracy Prep Football Capsule

League: Class 3A Sunset

Head coach: Keith Jones, third season (6-10)

2017 record: 4-5 (4-3 2A Southern, fourth)

Returning lettermen: 18

Returning starters: Eight offense, nine defense

Base offensive set: Pro

Base defensive set: 4-3

Top offensive players: WR Kelley Jones (Sr.); QB Micah Gayman (Jr.); C Quinlan Coltrain (Sr.); Vanell Meeks (Sr.); WR Ramon Green (Sr.); WR Amar Smith (So.)

Top defensive players: DB Kelley Jones (Sr.); LB Elijah Neal (Sr.); LB Steven Burgess (Sr.); LB Gary Reece (Sr.) DE Saybyon Smith (Jr.); DE Marlon Larrie (Sr.); ATH Kemari Cooper (So.)

Outlook: The Blue Knights take a step up in class this season after finishing fourth in the Class 2A Southern League last fall.

Coach Jones is high on his squad, and thinks Democracy Prep can compete for a berth in the postseason.

“We are excited to move up a class and see if we can put it all together this season,” Keith Jones said. “With the good number of athletes we have, I expect us to be competitive. We have a good nucleus that have been together for a couple years now.”

Kelley Jones leads the way on both sides of the ball. He had 20 catches for 319 yards and six TDs, and intercepted four passes.

Gayman completed 51.9 percent of his passes for 752 yards and 11 TDs with just three interceptions.

Staying injury-free will be key for the Blue Knights, who face a lack of depth with just 29 players on the roster.

“The expectation is always high and the bar has been raised for us,” Keith Jones said.