Moving on up sounded good to the Jeffersons of 1970s television, and while it was encouraging when the St. Joseph football team made the playoffs last fall, the Eagles' latest move up appears quite daunting.

St. Joseph barely climbed into TAPPS Division III during the latest realignment -- exceeding by two the league limit of an average of 68 male students. The result will be bigger, better district opponents for the Eagles, who reached the private school Division IV playoffs last season under first-year coach Randy Hollas.

In order to reach the postseason for the third consecutive year, St. Joseph will have to finish first or second in a district that includes defending state champion Waco Reicher and Austin Regents, which played in the state final two years ago.

"It doesn't help us out any, I'll say that," Hollas said. "The TAPPS criteria is number of boys in a school, and I wish that could change to the number of football players.

"When you're playing against somebody that doubles you up in terms of number of players, I think you just want to get your 11 out there able to compete. I just want to compete with Reicher and Regents. If we do that, we'll feel good about ourselves."

While the move up is a challenge, the Eagles will enter the season with plenty to feel good about. One year in Hollas' system for the players and a new set of assistant coaches should have St. Joseph more prepared to handle the jump in competition.

"I have high expectations this year," Hollas said. "I think we're moving in the right direction."

How far the Eagles go this season will depend on several players returning from last year's team, including junior Devorderick Brown. The 6-foot-3, 160-pounder will have to help make up for the loss of running back Shane Peevey, who will miss the season after breaking his arm during the first week of preseason drills.

"Devorderick is going to have to step up and have a good year," Hollas said. "We will miss Shane."

St. Joseph will be able to rely on returning starters in quarterback Alec Castilleja and receiver Chad Peevey, both juniors. The receiving corps will include sophomores Garrett Brightwell and Joseph Canatella, junior Austin Konderla and senior tight end Kyle Brightwell.

"Alec does a really good job of throwing the ball, and we've got some good receivers," Hollas said. "That's going to be what we lean on a whole bunch. The things I want to do a better job on this year are the running game and our overall defense."

The offensive line will be led by tackle Grant Lipscomb, a 6-3, 295-pound senior, and senior center Robert Mandujano. Other projected starters are Evan O'Connell, Mike Rathbone and Elliott Pearce.

"We're zone-blocking better than we have, so I'm encouraged," Hollas said of his linemen.

O'Connell, a 5-5, 212-pound junior, will play a key role on the defense at right end. The linebacker corps has Mandujano and Pearce on the inside and Drew Nelson and Kyle Brightwell outside.

Chad Peevey will play cornerback on defense. He also is a returning all-state selection as a kicker, handling the punting and place-kicking duties for the Eagles, who will open the season at home against Iola on Aug. 29.