Floyd junior Justin Whitecotton, left, and junior Martin Mendoza cover a kickoff during a preseason practice.

8-man District 4

• Coach: Rafael Roybal (6th year, 22-29; 6 years overall at Floyd)

• 2009 record: 2-8 (0-3, 4th place, 8-man District 4)

• Returning starters (offense): 4

• Returning starters (defense): 4

• Top returning players: Hunter Terry, Sr., QB/RB; Justin Whitecotton, Jr., QB/RB; Jeffery Sotelo, Sr., DE/OL.

• Top newcomers: Taylor Boone, So.; Justin Rogers, Sr., QB/DE.

• The big switch: “Basically, we’re starting (over),” Roybal said. “We’ve got three kids who played on last year’s team.”

• Lunchpail guy: Terry. “He’s the hardest working person on the field and he’s at every practice,” Roybal said.

• Hardest hitter: Terry.

• Biggest early-season test: Home opener against Springer.

• Keys to 2010 season: “We’re going to try to get better each week, if we can stay healthy,” Roybal said. “As far as leadership goes, Hunter Terry and Justin Whitecotton have stood out along with Justin Rogers, who hasn’t had his physical yet. (But) he’s been out there trying to motivate them.”

• Coach’s overview: “We’re going to try and stay healthy and every game is going to be a challenge,” Roybal said. With 13 players on the squad, depth is a concern.

• Last playoff appearance: 2008, lost to Melrose in 8-man semifinals.

• State titles (1): 2000 (6-man).

• 2010 schedule

August: 27 — Springer, 1 p.m.

September: 3 — at Reserve, 2 p.m.; 11 — Menaul, 1 p.m.; 18 — vs. Mountainair at Menaul, 7 p.m.; 25 — Foothill, 1 p.m.

October: 1 — at Logan, 7 p.m.; 15 — at Melrose, 7 p.m.-x; 22 — Tatum, 1 p.m.-x; 29 — at Gateway, 7 p.m.-x.

• Roster

Player Yr. Pos.

Joe Banister Fr. FB/LB

Clay Brady So. WR/DB

Thurston Herrera So. OL/DL

James Kratzer So. OL/DL

Martin Mendoza Jr. OL/DL

Tice Neece Fr. WR/DB

Justin Rogers Sr QB/LB

Jeffery Sotelo Sr. OL/DL

Hunter Terry Sr. RB/LB

Terral Watson Fr. FB/LB

Justin Whitecotton Jr. RB/DE

— Compiled by Clarence Plank