Ask a football coach how to build a football team, and chances are he’ll say that you build from the inside out, meaning you start with the linemen, then move out to the backfield and receivers.

Based on this premise, Brunswick coach Dick Leavitt, who brings back much of his line but not his all-star backfield of Phil Warren, Ralph Mims and Devin Shepard, was asked which he would prefer – returning his dynamic backfield that helped him win his first Pine Tree Conference championship last year and have them play behind a rebuilt offensive line, or keep his offensive line intact and charge them with leading a revamped backfield.

Leavitt didn’t take the bait.

“I like to live in the present,” Leavitt said. “We’ve got a good nucleus returning.”

Indeed, with five offensive and six defensive starters back, the Dragons won’t be relinquishing their title without a fight.

The aforementioned offensive line is imposing, led by massive 6-5, 350-pound tackle Aaron Chaffin and all-PTC second-team tackle Eric Sulzberger. Senior QB Justin Clark filled in admirably for Mims a couple of times last year, and fullback Garrett Masse, a converted all-conference tight end, runs with the power, if not the breakaway speed of Warren.

The defense, which steadily improved last year, is led by 6-4 defensive back Kevin Scully, who led the PTC in interceptions last year with eight.

While the Dragons’ climb to the top of the conference was a long one, it doesn’t look like they’ll be heading back down the ladder any time soon.

“We’ve had some young kids step up,” Leavitt said. “I think if we can come together as a team and stay healthy, that’s going to be the key.”

Challenging Brunswick in the PTC South will be Oxford Hills. The Vikings are as talented and experienced at the skill positions as they have been in some time. All-conference tailback Jim Bower, who ran for 1,100 yards last year, enters his junior year as perhaps the PTC’s top ground threat. All-conference flanker Jeff Tifft and senior split end Dan Magoon give junior QB Ben Ryerson a pair of big-play threats.

“Bower is 5-9, 185, but he’s one of the strongest kids on the team,” said coach Paul Bickford. “Magoon and Tifft can do something after they catch the ball.”

Doing something against the Vikings’ defense could be another story. It’s an athletic group, led by Brian Tuominen and Justin Desrosier along the line and Alex Waite and Bangor transfer Sidney Melidones at inside linebacker.

“I think we’re improved defensively,” Bickford said. “With Waite and Melidones playing inside, the linebacking corps is going to carry us quite a bit.”

Not only does Lewiston hope to make its third post-season in as many years in the PTC, the Blue Devils hope to improve on last year’s 3-6 record and push Brunswick and Oxford Hills in the PTC South.

The key will be for the Devils to find some offensive balance that was sorely lacking last year and for the defense to fill some gaping holes up front.

“We’re in pretty good shape when we have the ball, but defensively, we’ve got some wholesale changes,” said coach Bill County.

The Devils bring back their starting quarterback, fullback, wide receiver and three-fifths of their offensive line. County thinks the offense will have to play with a little more finesse, and believes QB Chris Ford will benefit from last year’s experience running the option and that he can hook up with speedy wideout Jake Angelides for some big plays in the passing game.

“We’re not as big and powerful up front as we were last year on either side, but offensively we feel like we’re more athletic and can pull and trap more,” County said. “The defense is going to have to stunt a little bit more, maybe blitz our linebackers in different spots and use our athleticism more.”

Windham, where PTC second team all-conference QB Peter Lekutis leads 16 returning starters, and Gardiner, which lost most of its defensive stalwarts but still brings back a lot of talent from last year’s team, should also vie for playoff spots in the South.

Edward Little hopes that returning eight underclassmen who saw significant time on defense last year pays off this year.

Offensively, the Eddies are counting on an influx of sophomores, including running backs Chris Ringer and John Demers, to provide a spark.

“We’re going to have to be balanced. That’s the key,” said coach Jim Hersom. “We can’t be one dimensional. We’re just not good enough.”

Hersom will try to achieve that balance with senior QB Steve Simpson and a running back by committee including Robie Leighton, Garner Lavalley, Matt Nadeau, Demers and Ringer. The offensive line, where Nate Chantrill is the only returning starter, will have to jell quickly.

The PTC North could see some turnover this year beyond one of its perennial powers. Bangor, with much of its big offensive line returning to block for a deep and versatile backfield, is the favorite. Waterville and Messalonskee appear to have the inside track on the next two spots, leaving Mt. Blue, Cony, Lawrence and Skowhegan to fight for the fourth berth.

Skowhegan and Mt. Blue were both devastated by graduation. The Indians lost all of their starters, while the Cougars graduated all but one, running back/linebacker Jordan Stevens.

Despite his team’s inexperience, Mt. Blue coach Gary Parlin hasn’t lowered his expectations.

“I’m pretty upbeat about this group,” Parlin said. “They’ve waited their turn. They had a good JV team and I have high hopes for them.”

The new blood includes junior QB Mason Barker. Most of Parlin’s quarterbacks have to wait until their senior year to take their varsity snaps, but Barker has impressed in preseason. He should benefit from a number of talented players surrounding him, including Stevens and the versatile David DiGravio, who returns to the lineup after sitting out last season with a broken leg.

Stevens, at linebacker, and DiGravio, at strong safety, will anchor the defense, which will probably have a different look since it lacks the size it’s had in recent years.

“We’re real fast,” Parlin said. “We may even play a little different look like a 3-5 to put some more athletes on the field.”