Just getting to the playoffs was a battle for the 2007 Navasota Rattlers.

A strong postseason performance coupled with a crew of outstanding returning players raises the stakes this season.

Picked second in Class 3A by Texas Football, Navasota seems poised for a deep playoff run. You might not know that from their team goals, however.

"Our kids are excited about the rankings, but they also know we set small goals," Navasota coach Lee Fedora said. "Our first goal is to win the first game. Our only other goal is to win the district championship."

Fedora, who built winners at Rogers and Robinson before coming to Navasota, does believe his newest program turned a corner last year. He also believes it happened with a come-from-behind 42-40 victory over Jasper in the 3A Division I regional round.

"The turning point in our program was the game we played against Jasper, no doubt about it," said Fedora. "We were down by 20 at halftime, and it looked like we were falling apart, but the kids rallied around each other. I reminded them of everything we had put in in the last three years and said don't revert back. Play the way we can play."

A well-balanced attack with big-play potential opens the door for the Rattlers' exceptional running game. Dexter Pratt, who has committed to play college football at LSU, carries breakaway potential, and sometimes carries potential tacklers. Pratt is 6-foot-2, 228 pounds and is coming off a junior season when he eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark.

Pratt ran for 2,054 yards on 218 carries and 20 touchdowns.

Senior quarterback Jacolby Stokes might hold the key to Navasota's chances as a statewide contender. As a junior, Stokes showed signs of moving in the right direction, connecting on 116 of 214 passes for 1,922 yards and 17 touchdowns with nine interceptions.

"It's tough to play quarterback for coach Fedora because of when I get upset or angry," Fedora said, laughing at himself. But that tough-on-his-quarterback approach has worked for Fedora in the past, and Stokes is responding to it.

Fedora said it showed last season when Navasota needed it most. He credits a Stokes for a gutsy performance that fueled the Rattlers' second-half rally against Jasper.

"He probably had the worst first half you can have," Fedora said. "I got after him at halftime. He threw for 273 yards in the second half."

Stokes has a strong returning corps of receivers to work with this season.

Texas A&M commit Brandal Jackson is a proven receiver with breakaway ability, spring in his legs and soft hands. He caught 39 passes for 756 yards with eight touchdowns as a junior. Gaston Lamascus was named to the all-tournament team at the state 7-on-7 tournament where Navasota reached the championship game. Junior Thomas Sweed and senior Antron Harris fill out the receiving unit.

While Navasota can stretch a defense with its deep threats, the Rattlers' blockers sometimes simply bulldoze opponents up front. Junior tackle Aleon Calhoun (6-6, 312), junior guard Scott McDuffie (300) and senior guard Donavon Chambers (300) lead the charge of a heavy brigade on the offensive line.

Defensive line could be where the Rattlers are shaky, but there is experience on that side of the ball to help cover any concerns. Seven defensive starters return.

Defensive end Lino Byrd and tackle Dominic Williams (240 pounds) are back up front, ahead of a linebacker crew that includes Eugene Castillo, a 185-pound senior who had 151 tackles last season. Deondre King also returns at linebacker. Junior safety Kye Hildreth had five interceptions and 76 tackles last season and is joined by returning cornerbacks Sweed and Malcolm Spriggs.

Stokes played some at safety last season, and Navasota plans to use him more at that spot this year.