The Dimmitt Bobcats enter this season not only trying to break a seven-game losing streak, but also a 32-year playoff drought.

The Bobcats failed to win a district game last year, and they will try to turn things around with a young team that has fewer than a dozen returning lettermen and five starters on both sides of the ball.

Quarterback Marty Puga supplied much of the offense last season, running for nearly 400 yards while passing for more than 1,350. He threw 15 touchdown passes but was intercepted 16 times, and he must cut down on that number to be more efficient.

Two years ago, the Bobcats were .500 overall before falling on hard times. Their early-season schedule features Class 1A power New Deal as well as improving teams from Bovina and River Road.

The Bobcats were in the playoffs a half-dozen times from 1950 through 1960, but have been in the postseason just once since then.

2008 Record: 1-9 overall, 0-5 in District 2-2A.

Returning Experience: 10 lettermen; five offensive and five defensive starters.

Players To Watch: Marty Puga, QB-DB; Kade Riddle, TE-LB; Nick Aguilar, OL-DL; Josh Alvarez, TE-LB; Caleb Penney, OL-DL; Eric Gil, WR-DB.

Promising Newcomers: Eric Sanchez, WR-DB; Gus Ruiz, WR-DB; David Underwood, OL-DL; Dexter Martin, OL-DL; Travis Culver, OL-DL.

Basic Offense: Spread.

Basic Defense: 4-3.

Keys To Success: The Bobcats return an experienced quarterback in Marty Puga, who ran for nearly 400 yards and threw for more than 1,300. He needs to improve on those numbers while the young, inexperience offensive line must do a good job of protecting him. The Bobcats need to have some early success to build some confidence.

High School Enrollment: 289.

2008 JV Record: 2-8.

Playoff History: 1943, 1950 (regional), 1951 (regional), 1954, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1976.