VALLEY CENTER -- The football players with all the gaudy numbers are gone. Valley Center High no longer has Kevin Craft, A.J. Reilly, Ray Mendoza, Jimmy Crawshaw and Cameron Penny -- the offensive threats who helped the Jaguars lead North County in total offense last season. But coach Rob Gilster believes this year's team could be every bit as good -- if not better -- than last year's group.

Junior Dustin Aschbrenner is the new quarterback, and his targets include Greg True, Paul Gilster, Ron Batteglia, Mario Mendez and Kevin Schwerdtfeger. The speedy Shaun Dunham returns at fullback.

Dunham (11 carries for 136 yards) and True (12 catches for 145 yards) are the only players with varsity statistics.

"We're young, real young at the skill positions, but this is a great junior class," Rob Gilster said. "The key will be how much our seniors contribute."

The Jaguars have four key seniors on the offensive line: Doug Crawshaw (a three-year starter and a Division I college recruit), Daniel Holtz (a returning starter), Manny Mendoza (a part-time starter a year ago) and tight end Tyler Harding (two catches for 43 yards last season).

"Crawshaw and Holtz are two very good players." Rob Gilster said. "On a lot of teams, Holtz would be the top guy, but Crawshaw has a chance to be something real special."

Seniors Nick Sloan and Jesse McLeannan, both returning starters, and Jeremiah Johnsen, who was injured all last season, are key components on the defensive line.

Senior Nolan Sprankles anchors the linebacker corps. He could be one of the top players in the county. Juniors Trevor Reilly and Tim Murphy, a part-time starter last year, are the other linebackers.

Senior Jordan Armstrong, who is also the backup quarterback, is the key to the defensive secondary at the strong safety spot.

"Dave Lay came in last year to run our offense, and this is the second year for these kids in Dave's system," Rob Gilster said of his accomplished offensive coordinator. "The learning curve has been greatly accelerated.

"Aschbrenner has a chance be a real good one, and I think Dunham can be a special back. But our league (Valley) is loaded this year. And our nonleague schedule -- La Jolla, Serra, Fallbrook and Mt. Carmel is really tough.

"We'll find out early what we're made of."

Contact staff writer John Maffei at (760) 740-3547 or jmaffei@nctimes.com.