Getting off to a good start is important. Having all 96 athletes at every practice six days a week in the beginning of the season definitely makes the case for a good start.

Since the beginning of fall practices on Aug. 13, Blaine head football coach Shannon Gerrety has seen every player in attendance each day, which is a good thing. Gerrety has been impressed with how well the team has gelled so early in the season.

"I really like the cohesiveness of this team," Gerrety told Sun Focus. "They really are a team and they've really gotten together fast."

Blaine endured an injury-plagued season in 2006, but "we're not making excuses," Gerrety said. The team responded well and finished 6-4 overall and tied for third in the Northwest Suburban Conference with a 5-3 regular season record. Blaine lost 14-7 to conference rival Champlin Park in the Section

7AAAAA semifinals. Even with eight turnovers in that game, Blaine still had a chance, but couldn't come up with a victory.

This ended the Bengals' season after a highlight come-from-behind win over

Forest Lake in the section quarterfinals. That game turned into a high point for the season as Blaine came back from a 26-7 deficit at one point during the third quarter, to squeak by with a thrilling 27-26 win.

Blaine got off to a slow start last season, losing its first two games to

Osseo and Andover, before turning things around and winning five of the last six regular-season games.

"We started off slow and then we really came together as a team," said 2007 senior co-captain Tim Bauer. "[We] never gave up on the team."

The Bengals were the section runners-up to Anoka in 2005, and again came up short of a section championship in the 2006 section playoffs, but right now they are looking ahead to this season.

"That was last year and this is this year," Gerrety said.

Leaving the previous season behind, the Bengals will set the bar high as they strive to compete for a conference championship, and possibly a state title.

"That's why we're here," Gerrety said. "We have high expectations every year. We always think we can compete for a state championship."

This season marks Gerrety's 22nd season as a part of the Blaine football coaching staff and this is his fifth season as the head coach. He also coaches the linebackers and defense for the team. Gerrety is a physical education teacher at Blaine High School and "enjoys being around kids."

Having experienced players is a very important part of competing at a high level. The Bengals are fortunate enough to have five returning offensive linemen to the field this season. That is a huge advantage, Gerrety said.

"Our offensive line is very experienced," Gerrety said. "Experience is so important."

The four Blaine captains know how important it is to keep the team together and take one game at a time in such a tough conference.

"I think our goals are high," Bauer said. "Every game's a big game."

The team looks forward to the games against its strongest conference rivals Champlin Park, Anoka, Coon Rapids and newest rival

Andover. Blaine's captains agree that Champlin Park and Anoka probably offer the team's greatest competition. They also know that while their goals are high, they must give credit to the talent of the other teams as well.

"We all want to win games," Bauer said.

The Bengals' slogan for the season is "One Heartbeat" and so far, the team has "everybody closer together," said senior co-captain Torrey Gavin. They are one team and one heartbeat together.

"I think there's more unity," said senior co-captain Ryan

Vinzant.

Roles change for players once they are elected captains for the team as well. Captains "want to lead by example," said senior co-captain Chris Phillips. They have to step up and be positive role models for their teammates.

"You can't slip up," Bauer said. "You always want to be on top of your game. On Friday nights we want to build memories."

The Bengals kick off the season tonight, Aug. 30, with a game at Osseo. They will play Andover on Sept. 7 for Blaine's first home game, followed by an important rematch from the end of last season at Champlin Park the following week.