ST. PIUS AT A GLANCE

Coach: San Juan Mendoza (21st year; 148-81) Last season: 10-2; lost 27-21 in 5A quarterfinals at Artesia Returning starters: 8 offense, 6 defense

Key players: Drew Ortiz, sr. (5-11, 185, QB/DB); Mel DeHerrera, sr. (5-11, 155, WR); Dylan DiLorenzo, sr. (5-9, 150, WR); John Corcoran, sr., (5-11, 230, C); Brendan Gallegos, sr. (5-9, 155, WR); Adrian Leon, sr. (6-1, 200, HB/LB); Austin Shull, sr. (6-0, 215, MLB); Jared Vigil, sr. (5-9, 180, OLB); Sam Chavez, sr. (5-11, 155, S); Ryan McGaha, jr. (5-9, 160, S); Joseph Brackenhoff, sr. (6-1, 210, DE); Brenden Alcala, sr. (6-0, 180, DE).

Outlook: The Sartans should certainly be in the mix to make a deep playoff run this season, led by the fantastic Ortiz, who is coming off a season in which he accounted for 47 touchdowns (37 passing, 10 rushing) and about 3,300 yards of total offense. He’s got some excellent receivers, and the St. Pius defense, led by its linebacking corps — including four-year varsity veteran Shull — returns intact, and looks to be strong, as well. This team is highly motivated.

2016 schedule

(x-District 5-5A games; C: Community Stadium; M: Milne; W: Wilson) Aug. 27, at Highland (C), 5 p.m. Sept. 2, at West Mesa (C), 7 p.m. Sept. 9, at Hope Christian (M), 7 p.m. Sept. 16, at Alamogordo, 7 p.m. Sept. 24, Lovington (C), 11 a.m. Sept. 30, at Miyamura, 7 p.m. x-Oct. 7, at Grants, 7 p.m. x-Oct. 15, Valencia (C), 11 a.m. x-Oct. 21, at Los Lunas, 7 p.m. x-Oct. 29, Belen (W), 11 a.m. Nov. 4, OPEN

Circle the date: That trip to Alamogordo is certainly a potential playoff preview, as the Tigers started 6-0 in Class 6A last season before moving down to 5A this year. That could be the toughest test on St. Pius’schedule.