photography by Rodolfo Gonzalez

Collin Middleton insists that Cedar Park's defensive line ranks as the team's best unit.

"We do all the dirty work," said Middleton, a senior defensive end. "We get double-teamed, we get it all. We make plays for our linebackers and we still make plays for ourselves sometimes."

Teammate Spencer Drango scoffs at Middleton's argument.

"Unlike the D-line, we don't get to roll in and out of the game every three or four plays. We're in there all the time," said Drango, a senior left tackle who has committed to Baylor. "The only time we come out is when someone has a bone sticking out of their arm."

Beyond the debate, Drango and Middleton have joined forces to create one of the most physical football teams in Central Texas. An offensive line that returns four starters and a defensive front seven that ranks among the best in the region give Cedar Park good reasons to be optimistic entering the 2010 season.

Formerly a Class 5A fixture, the Timberwolves find themselves in new company in District 25-4A. The largest school in the district with an enrollment of 1,997 students, Cedar Park has been grouped with two first-year varsity teams — Rouse and Vandegrift — but will end the regular season against defending three-time state champion Lake Travis.

Brian Hogan and Matt Posey have spent the summer battling to become the Timberwolves' new starting quarterback. Whoever wins the job will have four bodyguards who helped the Wolves score an average of 36 points a game in 2009, when Cedar Park finished 8-4.

Among the nine returning starters on offense are Drango (6 feet, 6 inches and 270 pounds) and Rice-bound right tackle Matt Wofford (6-7, 315), who will dwarf most of their defensive opponents. Cedar Park also will count on returning guards Felix Romero (6-3, 295) and Tyler Chauvin (6-0, 265) and tight end Beau Smith (6-6, 225).

Drango said the offensive line's lofty goals include finishing the season without giving up a single sack or drive-killing penalty. They also aspire to average one knockdown of an opposing defensive lineman on every play.

"(Assistant) coach (Brandon) Schmidt says the offensive linemen are the tempo-makers in practice," Drango said. "If we have a bad practice, the whole team has a bad practice."

One of the most impressive defenses Cedar Park will face this season dresses in the same locker room.

The Timberwolves' 3-4 unit, led by the Air Force-bound left end Middleton (6-3, 245) and right end Jeff Peden (6-1, 280), hopes to cause enough havoc to free up All-Central Texas linebacker Chet Moss (6-2, 230), a University of Texas commitment who forced and recovered three fumbles in '09.

Middleton said his one-on-one battles with Drango have made him a better player.

"When you get to practice against the best, you know you're going to be ready for anything thrown at you in the season," he said.

One of the most anticipated games in Central Texas will come in the final week of the regular season: Cedar Park vs. Lake Travis. Last year, the Cavaliers rolled over the Timberwolves 54-17 on their way to their third straight 4A state title, but Middleton and Drango promise a tougher fight in November.

Middleton said it would be "awesome" to snap Lake Travis' winning streak, which stands at 46 games entering this season. "Hopefully," he said, "we'll be 9-0 when we get to that game."

In his sixth season at Cedar Park, head coach Chris Ross is not about to step into the debate about whether his offensive line is tougher than his defensive front . He's banking on both sides to help the Timberwolves make a deep playoff run.

"Experience builds confidence," Ross said. "Instead of wondering if the guy next to you can do the job, he's already been battle-tested. You've been with each other in big games, big situations. It gives you the freedom to not think and just go out there and do your job."