Three will be the magic number for Class 5A football teams this fall.

Just look at how the digit has already manifested itself into the season:

3 - There will be three new head coaches in Class 5A this fall.

Jeremy McCormick at Riverton, Bob Knapton at Laramie and Scott Robinson at Evanston will all take over the helms of their respective programs.

Knapton is already a familiar name in Laramie - Bob's son Gabe is a starting linebacker with the Wyoming Cowboys.

3 - The Cheyenne East Thunderbirds like four better than three.

As in, last year was their third consecutive trip to the Class 5A championship game. They'd like to make that number four by the end of November.

Since the school opened in 1960, the Thunderbirds have made the state championship game five times. Three of those trips have come in the past three years - including last year's championship victory, a 24-14 triumph over Evanston.

In that span, the Thunderbirds haven't had any truly dominating teams. But they've always played well in the playoffs, winning seven postseason games in the past three years.

Five of those seven victories have been by 10 points or fewer.

The key has been the coaching staff's ability to adapt to its strengths. East played a style benefitting its strong rushing game in 2005 and 2006, then switched to a shotgun-style run-pass mix last season.

The steep learning curve East faced early in the season was gone by November.

This year, the team has an experienced offensive line, but needs to break in some new receivers and backs to duplicate the success it's had recently.

3 - Week 3 could help dictate the early pace of the season.

The Sept. 19 docket has three conference games - two in the South Conference, one in the North Conference. Of those six teams, five start their conference schedules that night (Cheyenne Central, Riverton, Rock Springs, Natrona County and Sheridan).

Winning or losing those games may dictate how teams approach the rest of the season.

Lest we forget…

3 - The number of victories it takes to win the state championship.

This year is the final year for power ratings - not only for Class 5A, but for all classes - so every regular-season game from here on out will help dictate seeding for the playoffs.

Last year, only three teams from the North Conference made the playoff bracket, as 5-4 Sheridan missed the playoffs despite finishing fourth in the North.

Contact high school sports coordinator Patrick Schmiedt at (307) 266-0615 or patrick.schmiedt@trib.com.

Preseason Top Five

1. Green River: The preseason darlings have the athletes to back it up.

2. Natrona County: Big holes on both lines, but NC has overcome more.

3. Cheyenne East: Experienced line should lead to success.

4. Gillette: The Camels are consistently one of the state's best.

5. Evanston: New coach inherits a team full of athletes.

Also to playoffs: Cheyenne Central, Kelly Walsh, Sheridan

Preseason Class MVP

TOM EARL, Natrona County: Last year, Earl led the state with 1,787 rushing yards. But he did so behind an experienced offensive line. His success - and the success of the Mustangs' running game - will depend a lot on how fast the offensive line's newcomers adapt to the level of 5A varsity play.

Preseason Breakout Star

DREW MARTINEZ, Green River: An all-state selection at defensive back as a sophomore, Martinez could cause just as much damage this year in his second season - not just on defense, but as the Wolves' quarterback as well.

Team Capsules

North Conference

Gillette Camels

OUTLOOK: It's not so much how many starters the Camels have back, it's where they play. All the running backs and wide receivers are returning starters on Gillette's offense, and that experience will be key early. The line and the defensive backfield need to learn on the fly, though, for Gillette's success to be long-term.

KEY GAME: Sept. 26 at Sheridan. The first of four straight North Conference games for Gillette, the Energy Bowl will be a critical game for the Camels as they try to hit their stride heading into the latter portion of the season.

KEY RETURNERS: Five offensive starters, four defensive starters. Logan Pokallus, 5-10, 175, sr, RB/DB; Spencer Bruce, 6-5, 208, sr, WR/DE; Steven Turpin, 6-4, 182, jr, WR/DB; Derrek Jerred, 6-5, 260, sr, OL/DL; Korben Leegaard, 5-11, 250, sr, OL/LB; Garrett Heusinkveld, 5-11, 166, sr, WR/LB; Alan Sisel, 6-0, 167, jr, QB/DB.

HEAD COACH: Vic Wilkerson (fifth season, 28-14, 15th overall)

2007: 5-6 (2-2), third in North Conference, lost to Cheyenne East 35-34 (2OT) in state semifinals

Kelly Walsh Trojans

OUTLOOK: The Trojans have both good size and good speed. The only thing lacking right now is experience. As the season progresses and players gain both confidence and comfort in the system, that weakness should fade and KW could be one of 5A's stronger teams.

KEY GAME: Oct. 3 at Gillette. The Trojans close out the season with three straight North Conference contests, including what will likely be a key road game at Gillette - a team KW dispatched at home last season but hasn't beaten in Gillette since 1981.

KEY RETURNERS: 22 letterwinners. Joe Munsell, 5-10, 170, sr, RB/DB; Sterling Dockweiler, 6-3, 230, sr, OL/DL; Thomas Manning, 6-3, 210, jr, RB/DE; Brandon Douglass, 6-2, 180, sr, TE/DE; Lucas Nolan, 6-1, 170, jr, QB/DB.

HEAD COACH: Jim Horne (fifth season, 21-17 overall)

2007: 5-5 (3-1), second in North Conference, lost to Evanston 36-31 in state quarterfinals

Natrona County Mustangs

OUTLOOK: Several new players will be called on this season to fill key roles for the Mustangs. The defense as a whole is relatively inexperienced, as is the offensive line, but the backfield is sharp and will help carry NC through any early bumps.

KEY GAME: Sept. 26 at Cheyenne East. There aren't any soft spots on the Mustangs' schedule, but this game against the defending state champions could make or break NC's stretch run.

KEY RETURNERS: Ten starters. Tom Earl, 6-1, 195, sr, RB; Nick Elliott, 6-2, 298, sr, OL; Cale Fedore, 6-1, 165, sr, LB; Max Gustafson, 6-3, 174, sr, OL; Chris Honken, 6-3, 200, sr, LB; Ryan Murphy, 6-0, 150, sr, QB; Brice Parkhill, 5-9, 160, sr, RB; Zach Powell, 5-10, 140, sr, RB; Chris Whitten, 5-11, 279, sr, DL.

HEAD COACH: Steve Harshman (18th season, 23rd overall)

2007: 7-3 (4-0), first in North Conference, lost to Gillette 30-23 in state quarterfinals

Riverton Wolverines

OUTLOOK: The Wolverines have some work to do with their new coach - the team is in a three-year playoff drought.

KEY GAME: Oct. 3 vs. Sheridan. Riverton's new era needs some kind of confidence booster. Winning a conference game would be a start - and a victory in this Week 5 game at home against the Broncs could give Riverton the confidence it needs to make it back to the playoffs.

KEY RETURNERS: None provided.

HEAD COACH: Jeremy McCormick (first season)

2007: 1-7 (0-4), fifth in North Conference, did not qualify for playoffs

Sheridan Broncs

OUTLOOK: The Broncs have a good group of returning players and have 11 players that can stick with most any team. The problem is depth - the Broncs don't have a lot. In order for Sheridan to stay in contention, younger players will need to step up and build that depth.

KEY GAME: Sept. 26 vs. Gillette. Sheridan plays three of its four conference games in the first five weeks. The Energy Bowl is sandwiched between road games against Natrona and Riverton and winning it could be enough to push the Broncs into the postseason.

KEY RETURNERS: Nine starters, 13 letterwinners. Justin Will, 5-10, 146, sr, WR/DB; Austin Woodward, 6-2, 200, jr, QB/LB; Will Hendrickson, 5-10, 160, jr, WR/DB; Cody McCalla, 5-9, 212, sr, RB/DL; Mitch Hoy, 6-2, 227, sr, TE/LB; Dustin Wheeler, 6-3, 260, sr, OL/DL; Charlie Gibbons, 5-11, 219, sr, OL/LB; Logan Martinez, 5-9, 231, sr, OL/DL; Bryan McIntyre, 6-2, 265, sr, OL/DL.

HEAD COACH: Don Julian (second season, 11th overall, 67-26)

2007: 5-4 (1-3), fourth in North Conference, did not qualify for playoffs

South Conference

Cheyenne Central Indians

OUTLOOK: No 4A team in the state will be as young as the Indians. There are only three returning starters from the senior class, which means a bunch of juniors and sophomores will likely see a lot of playing time. They'll need to stay healthy and develop throughout the season for Central to be strong again.

KEY GAME: Sept. 26 at Green River. The Indians' reign atop the South Conference standings will be challenged by a host of teams this year, most notably the Wolves. This game will be critical as Central tries to earn a first-round home playoff game for the fifth consecutive season.

KEY RETURNERS: Fourteen letterwinners. Justin Roberts, sr, C/MLB; Brad Ramsey, sr, RB/SS/K; Nicholias Espinoza, sr, WR/OLB.

HEAD COACH: Brick Cegelski (13th season)

2007: 5-4 (4-1), T-first in South Conference, lost to Rock Springs 34-27 in state quarterfinals

Cheyenne East Thunderbirds

OUTLOOK: East's strength is clear this year - the offensive line. Size and experience are abundant, which should help take some of the pressure off a relatively new backfield. Defensively, there are some holes to fill, but size on the line and speed in the secondary will help keep the Thunderbirds in the hunt.

KEY GAME: Sept. 19 vs. Evanston. The rematch of last year's Class 5A championship game comes early this year, and winning it gives East the early inside track to winning the conference's top seed.

KEY RETURNERS: Seven starters, 12 letterwinners. Kameron Olson, 6-0, 177, sr, WR/LB; Jordan McCollough, 6-6, 311, sr, OL/DL; Ty Jenkins, 6-1, 183, sr, OL/DL; Qarus Hernandez, 6-4, 250, sr, OL/DL; Nathan Massie, 6-4, 201, sr, OL/DL; Casey Mayer, 6-6, 200, sr, OL/DL; Jon Rosen, 6-4, 214, sr, WR/DL; Shane Potter, 6-1, 200, sr, QB/DB; Bruce McHenry, 6-0, 164, sr, WR/DB.

HEAD COACH: Chad Goff (third season, 14-8 overall)

2007: 9-2 (4-1), T-first in South Conference, beat Evanston 24-14 in state championship game

Evanston Red Devils

OUTLOOK: The Red Devils are coming off a strong season in 2007, but will have to mold to fit the approach of a new coach this season.

KEY GAME: Oct. 10 at Cheyenne Central. Evanston plays all five of its conference games in a row in Weeks 2-6, capped by this road game against the Indians. And if all goes right for the Red Devils, this game could be for a conference championship.

KEY RETURNERS: None provided. Anticipated to return: Hazen Davis, sr; Clint Huff, sr; Cory Anthos, sr.

HEAD COACH: Scott Robinson (first season)

2007: 8-3 (3-2), third in South Conference, lost to Cheyenne East 24-14 in state championship game

Green River Wolves

OUTLOOK: If the offensive line develops as hoped, this could be Green River's breakout season. The Wolves have an experienced offensive backfield and a strong defense led by senior linebacker Andrew Meredith - Wyoming's only Army All-American Bowl nominee and a player that's led his team in defensive points each of the past three years.

KEY GAME: Sept. 12 vs. Evanston. Are the Wolves legit title contenders? They'll find out early. This game kick-starts a tough month of games for Green River, including a trip to Gillette and home dates against Cheyenne Central and Kelly Walsh.

KEY RETURNERS: Meredith, 6-0, 180, sr, LB; Nathan Bayless, 5-11, 210, sr, LB/OG; Derek Cutler, 6-0, 165, sr, TB/S/P; Drew Martinez, 6-0, 170, jr, QB/DB; Mitch Roberts, 6-5, 195, sr, WR/DE.

HEAD COACH: Darren Howard (second season)

2007: 5-4 (2-3), T-fourth in South Conference, lost to Cheyenne East 38-10 in state quarterfinals

Laramie Plainsmen

OUTLOOK: A new coach might mean a turnaround for the Plainsmen, who haven't made it past the first round of the playoffs since 2000.

KEY GAME: Oct. 3 at Evanston. The Plainsmen close the season with four straight South Conference games, and pulling the upset against the Red Devils might give Laramie the confidence it needs to make a run at a postseason berth.

KEY RETURNERS: None provided.

HEAD COACH: Bob Knapton (first season)

2007: 2-7 (0-5), sixth in South Conference, did not qualify for playoffs

Rock Springs Tigers

OUTLOOK: Rock Springs has an experienced group of offensive and defensive linemen that will be the strength of the team. The rest of the team, though, lacks varsity experience and will need to grow up fast to keep the Tigers in the playoff hunt.

KEY GAME: Friday at Natrona County. Last year, the Tigers turned heads by upsetting the Mustangs at home. If they can do so again on the road this year, Rock Springs could be set up for a special season.

KEY RETURNERS: Nine starters. Matt O'Farrell, OL; Mike O'Farrell, OL; Mike Bond, OL; Stuart Burnham, OL; Cody Rall, TE; Darin Radke, LB; Neil Novak, LB; Luke Aust, LB; Austin Prevedel, DB.

HEAD COACH: Tony Yerkovich (fifth season, 10-25, 16th overall)

2007: 4-7 (2-3), T-fourth in South Conference, lost to Evanston 38-6 in state semifinals