CONCRETE — Experience.

That’s what the Concrete Lions bring to the football field this year. And they are bringing an awful lot of it.

A year ago, the Lions were described as a young team that had its work cut out for it. That was true. But the team, which had only four seniors, also had a good deal of success.

Concrete went to the second round of the playoffs and finished the season 7-4.

That’s a solid foundation for a group of grizzled veterans to build upon in 2008.

“We have a lot of kids back,” said Concrete coach Ron Rood. “Some may have started two years, some for three. We have 40 kids on the roster, which is good.”

A major cog in what could be a Concrete machine will be quarterback Chris Smith, who begins his third year under center, and hard-hitting safety Derek Rice.

“Teams overlooked us last year,” said Smith. “This year, they are going to notice us.”

The excitement could be seen in Rice’s eyes.

“This season means the world to us right now,” he said. “We’ve been dreaming for four years of winning a state championship. This year, we’ve got a shot. We have the talent, we just need the dedication and desire.”

And all those seniors now suiting up?

“We’ve been playing together for four years now,” Rice said. “We know each other like the back of our hands. It’s exciting. You know the guy next to you is going to do his job as well as you are going to do yours.”

A season ago, Smith completed 57 of 106 passes for 907 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. He also carried the ball 87 times for 159 yards. Smith will also play defensive back.

Smith’s comfort level at quarterback has grown with each snap. He understands this is his final year to shine.

“The team looks good and I am feeling confident,” said Smith. “I’m feeling confident in everything we are doing. I am very comfortable at quarterback. We finished the season strong last year and that has really helped my confidence.

“We only lost a couple of linemen, so for the most part it’s all the same. So I feel really good about this season. This is our year this year. We do have a lot of older guys. The entire backfield is back. We are going to be solid.”

There’s not a lot keeping Concrete players up at night. Smith said they are only worrying about the small things — missed blocks and tackles, incorrect pass patterns, dropped passes.

The Lions don’t have a load of experience when it comes to the offensive line.

“Our biggest challenge on the offensive line is we have some young players who don’t have much experience,” said Rood. “We have some kids who were on junior varsity. But they’re bigger and stronger than they were last year.”

Defensively, the Lions made a switch. They scrapped their 4-4 defense in favor of a 3-5 (three linemen and five linebackers).

“We decided to go to a 3-5 because we have a lot of linebacker-type kids who can run,” explained Rood.

Kids like Rice, who will be instrumental in the success of the defense. Rice will play linebacker and running back. He rushed for 702 yards last year on 101 carries, scoring touchdowns on eight of those runs.

Rice is looking forward to the change in defense.

“I’m excited about it,” he said. “It gives us a different look. With our speed, it’s really going to make a difference. It’s really going to be a deciding factor because we aren’t very big.”

Accompanying the Lions’ high level of experience comes a sense of calm. And it starts with Rood. His players have noticed a subtle change in his demeanor.

“Coach wants this team to go far,” said Smith. “He wants us to win. He’s really on us to do everything the right way. He wants to win just as bad as we do.”

And that kinder, gentler coach?

“He’s a little more light-handed with us than he used to be,” said Smith with a laugh. “That takes pressure of us when he’s a little more laid back and not always in our face.”

And Rice’s take?

“He (Rood) is pumped up,” said Rice. “Since my freshman year, he’s always been hard. Through the years, he’s sort of lightened up. I feel he’s just more excited about this year. I think that is because he doesn’t have to constantly coach us. We know what he wants and what is expected.”

For this group of Lions, it’s all about making the playoffs and making a trek to the Tacoma Dome for the state finals.

“Personally, I think we do (have the ability to make it to the title game),” said Rice. “If we play like I think we can, I think we can do it. We just have to play smart.”

And if this veteran Concrete squad can do that, then the coach may just keep smiling.

Vince Richardson can be reached at 360-416-2181 or by e-mail at vrichardson@skagit valleyherald.com