Winthrop coach Joel Stoneton isn’t believing the hype, and he doesn’t want his players to buy into it, either.

“I think there are two or three teams in front of us, simply because we lost so much up front,” he said. “Now, if certain kids step up, we’ll be able to play with people and be in that first or second spot, but a lot of things have to fall into place for us and that isn’t happening right now.”

The place the Ramblers almost universally fall into when forecasters discuss the Campbell Conference is first, the same position where they ended the 2007 regular season before falling to Boothbay in the conference title game. They enter this season with enviable explosiveness and depth at the skill positions and a bus-load of seniors on the roster. But it’s the loss of three starting linemen that has Stoneton trying to put the brakes on the mounting expectations.

If they can hold their own on the line of scrimmage, the Ramblers will have virtually every other matchup in their favor. Jordan Conant returns to quarterback after throwing for nearly 1,200 yards last season, and he has wideouts Zach Farrington, Jason Raymond and Andrew Smithgall in tow.

What Conant didn’t have last season was tailback Jake Steele, who sat out the year with a shoulder injury. The senior brings a big-play ability to the running game.

“He adds another whole dimension that people have to get ready for. He just makes things happen,” Stoneton said.

Joe Morey, Riley Cobb and Skyler Whaley filled in more than capably in Steele’s absence, combining for nearly 2,000 yards and 16 TDs rushing, and all three are back to give the Ramblers the ability to wear down opponents on the ground if they so choose.

Jay is also looking to replace some big bodies up front, but also has a hole in the backfield with the graduation of conference player of the year Nick Bourassa. Junior QB Austin Clark returns as a vital double threat (743 yards, seven TDs passing, second-leading rusher in 2007). Senior Miles Hutchinson, who averaged around six yards per carry as Bourassa’s understudy, will be called upon to help balance the offense with fullback Jordan DeMillo, who is moving back from the line, and Max Kutcher providing support. They have one of the league’s biggest offensive lines opening holes for them.

“The key is going to be how fast these backs develop,” coach Mark Bonnevie said. “If they can be solid, it’s going to help our team a lot.”

Defending champion Boothbay enters its first season in 16 years without Tim Rice at the helm. The double-wing offense remains intact, however, as Rice’s replacement, Steve Calande, has his own Web site devoted to the venerable offense plus the “46 Gambler” defense. The Seahawks were seemingly gutted by graduation, but that was supposed to be the case before last season, too.

Lisbon hopes to reverse last year’s slow start that ultimately put it in the rare position of being on the outside looking in come playoff time. The most encouraging signs in the preseason were the return of top rushers Jake Cyr and Josh Cote to the backfield, plus an unusually large turnout.

“We had 52 kids come out. To be at 52 right now is really special for us,” coach Dick Mynahan said.

The only drawback is 19 of those who suited up were freshmen, so the Greyhounds are going to be inexperienced, particularly in the trenches. Nate Blackwell, who was their leading receiver last season, moves to quarterback.

Livermore Falls had the fast start Lisbon would have wanted last year. But lack of depth ultimately wore the Andies down and spoiled their playoff aspirations. Numbers are up slightly this year (34 players), though just five seniors dot the roster. One of those seniors is Kyle Stebbins, who heads a veteran trio of running backs with Chandler White and Shawn Whiting. Nate Michaud joins them in backfield, shifting over from split end to play quarterback.

“We’re not real big,” said head coach Brad Bishop. “This team looks like the typical Livermore Falls team going back to the 1970s.”

Like Lisbon, Dirigo got off to a slow start (1-3), got hot (won four of last five) and barely missed the playoffs. The hope for coach Doug Gilbert is that experience translates into a sense of urgency for the Cougars from the get-go.

“I think they know we need to do better in the first four games than we did last year,” said Gilbert, who has 14 players who saw considerable playing time returning.

Junior QB Nic Crutchfield showed signs of developing into one of the conference’s top passers as a sophomore, and Dirigo impressed some opponents during seven-on-seven exhibitions this summer. He may blossom if a developing offensive line that lost four starters can give him time.

Old Orchard Beach earned it’s spot in last year’s playoffs by knocking off Winthrop and Jay. With junior QB Dean Perrone in his third year as a starter, the Seagulls could challenge those two again.

for conference bragging rights.