C. M. Pier has to admit it's getting better.

He also admits that his Rudder Rangers, in their second year of high school football, remain in transition a year after playing with a group of sophomores and freshmen at the varsity level.

"You didn't know what will happen, but I had an idea," said the Rangers' football coach, whose first team finished with a 0-8 record. "I clearly knew what we were going into. This year, we're off to a better start."

It starts long before the 2009 Rangers play their season-opening game Sept. 5 at Cleveland.

"Two big things last year were learning how to practice, and practice tempo," Pier said. "That was hard last year. It's much better this year, all the way around."

The offense got a boost in the final game with a strong performance against Madisonville, despite a 48-30 loss. Kyle Danford started at quarterback in relief of the injured Tre Hammond. Danford earned playing time at quarterback with his strong finish, hitting 13 of 22 passes for 286 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Hammond was the personification of the team's heart in its first season. He was pounded often, but always was ready for the battle each game. He'll still play some quarterback this season, but he has the ability to shift to several positions.

Hammond rushed for a team-high 387 yards on a team-high 125 carries. He also completed 28 of 79 passes for 407 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions.

"Tre, like so many others on this team, has character," said Pier. "That rascal was something else. But we've got some other guys in that same mold -- Kyle Danford, Matt Cohan, Matt Smith, Matt Fritsche, Will Johnson, Ty Klintworth, Restevin Anderson, Mike Jones. David Wilganowksi, a sophomore, is doing a lot better. That just names a few, but all of those guys give me all they've got."

Jones will be a chief target after catching 23 passes for 462 yards and four touchdowns his sophomore season, while Hammond and Charlie Bush will be wideouts. Johnson and Fritsche will play roles in the passing game, too.

Anderson rushed for 137 yards and a touchdown last year.

"We have more tenacity and intensity when we step on the field," said Anderson after the Rangers' first scrimmage this year. "There's more confidence and it's experience as well."

Sophomore Trent Mitchell and junior Kevin Burton should see extensive playing time.

"Charlie Bush (83 carries, 227 yards) could help us back there some," said Pier, who will play Dakota Teague at fullback.

"The anchor of our offensive line is Matt Cohan, the center," said Pier, who admits that competition is still on at several positions. "Josh Kapchinski and Kelvin Caldwell are guards. We've got David Wilganowksi up there. Rey Morales, Billy Tennell and Ryan Doty are all mixing it up in there."

An overmatched defense had little chance of stopping the run against more mature teams, who were willing to flaunt that advantage.

"There were times when we had an opportunity to make a play that we couldn't," Pier said. "We weren't physically able to, but now we are."

There are dramatic changes in the defensive line, where positions are still being earned.

"We've got Quarry Smith [who] played last year, played well but had some injuries and I think he'll be good," Pier said. Caldwell, who plays at 305 pounds, will also contribute. Tennell, Craig Hartman and sophomore Skylar Perez, up from the JV, also figure in the mix.

Defensive end appears to be an area of strength, with returning players Klintworth and Fritsche along with Matt Smith. Klintworth had 29 tackles and Fritsche 20 last season.

Anthony Lomuscio and Josh Johnson join Teague (22 tackles) at linebacker.

"We are thinking about winning, like every other team wants to do," Lomuscio said. "We've made huge strides from last year."

Domonique Robison, who will also see time at receiver, joins free safety and leading returning tackler Will Johnson in the secondary. Mitchell and Timothy Kindle will also play defensive back, with some possible help from Hammond on defense. Will Martin will help out on the defensive side as well as at receiver.

Rudder has a chance to have exceptional special teams.

"We've still got to get that stuff protected and we had some problems last year, but we've got a great punter and a great kicker," Pier said. "That didn't play out the way I envisioned it with our field goal situation last year."

Johnson hit two field goals in 2008 and Danford averaged 42.2 yards per punt. Danford earned all-District 24-3A and all-Brazos Valley honors. Sophomore Austin Barone is a quality backup to both.

The Rudder Rangers are more mature. That, and a deeper understanding of the game, should make them better.

"We've got a way better attitude, because we know more of what we are doing this year," Mikell Gallagher said. "Last year was real new for us. We'll be winning games this year. That's what everybody believes."

Gallagher believes the jumping-off point will be that initial victory.

"We'll go game-by-game, getting wins hopefully ever week," he said.

The quality of competition may dictate whether Rudder can climb in the district standings, or even in the win totals.

"Some people will be a little weaker this year," Pier said before voicing a disclaimer. "What that means, I don't know. They are still going to be plenty good."

It won't be until his team takes to the field under game conditions that he'll know for sure how far the Rangers have come.

"It's going to be tough again, but I feel we are going to be better equipped to deal with the situation than we were last year," Pier added. "It's still a growing process, but we are getting there."

The focus is now squarely on the 2009 season. There will be no looking back for the Rudder Rangers.

"We've been at the bottom," Anderson said. "Now, we just want to get to the top."