CLEVELAND AT A GLANCE

Coach: Heath Ridenour (5th year; 36-11) Last season: 13-0; Class 6A state champions, beat Eldorado 48-35 in title game Returning starters: 4 offense, 5 defense

Key players: Angelo Trujillo, jr. (6-0, 170, QB); Adam Cook, sr. (6-3, 245, TE/OLB); Daniel Johnson, sr. (5-11, 160, WR/ DB); Jesse Gonzales, jr. (5-11, 160, FS/WR); Shawn Nieto, sr. (5-5, 145, RB); Darien Gonzales, sr. (5-8, 175, CB); Isaac Jaramillo, sr. (6-0, 180, ILB); Marc Anderson, sr. (6-3, 230, DT); Daimon Altamirano, sr. (6-4, 295, G); Sean Davis, sr. (5-10, 260, NG); Hayden Wilson, sr. (6-5, 270, OT); Brendon Armstead, sr. (5-11, 245, OT/DT).

Outlook: Take a look at Ridenour’s record, and you understand the overall health of this program. True, there were some outstanding players lost to graduation, but Cleveland lacks for very little physically and the Storm retain a certain strut. Lack of experience at quarterback and linebacker are two areas worth watching. Trujillo shoulders a heavy burden as the prominent newcomer, especially against this ridiculous schedule, easily the state’s toughest. Defensively, Davis is a force; Anderson and Armstead also return on that D-line. Can Cleveland repeat? Maybe. But this may not even be the best prep football team in its own city.

2016 schedule

(x-denotes District 1-6A game) Aug. 27, at Oñate (FOD), 1 p.m. Sept. 2, La Cueva, 7 p.m. Sept. 9, Las Cruces, 7 p.m. Sept. 16, at Centennial (FOD), 7 p.m. Sept. 23, at Artesia, 7 p.m. Sept. 30, Atrisco Heritage, 7 p.m. x-Oct. 7, Rio Rancho, 7 p.m. x-Oct. 13, at Cibola (C), 7 p.m. x-Oct. 21, Piedra Vista, 7 p.m. Oct. 28, OPEN x-Nov. 4, at Volcano Vista (C), 7 p.m.

Circle the date: Yeah, good luck narrowing this to just one choice. Yikes, what a slate! This year, as much as any, it’s the showdown with Rio Rancho. Possibly the two best teams in the state. And, oddly enough, the District 1-6A opener.