SPRING CREEK -- The good news for Spring Creek this season is that defenses won't know who will be carrying the ball on roughly three out of every four players.

The bad news, reports the Web site, nevprep.com, is that the Northern Nevada Class 3-A Spartans weren't going to be sure, either not after losing James Edwards, the most prolific ground-gainer in the history of Nevada high school football, among other vital components of the 15-year-old program's first perfect regular season.

Edwards, who now is playing at NCAA Division II member Chadron State in Nebraska, made the state record book his autobiography while rushing for 7,728 yards and scoring 93 touchdowns (six on defense, where he also was an all-league linebacker) over three seasons.

He carried 34 or more times in six games last year, and the Spartans' No. 1 offensive alternative was Bryce Saddoris, who had a 14-carry, 180-yard game against 4-A rival Elko last year. He also is gone, having signed with Navy to wrestle. So are Colby Satterthwaite, a standout receiver and defensive back, and lineman Jason Cox, who also is at Chadron State.

At the same time, this has been one of Greater Nevada's most stable programs since its inception, and hasn't had a losing season in at least a decade.

Spring Creek started the 2006 season with close victories against area rival Elko (17-14) and Las Vegas Faith Lutheran, a Southern 3-A League power (20-13). The Spartans are at home Friday against Pahrump Valley (0-2), which has played them tough in each of the last two seasons. Spring Creek won here (30-22) in 2004 and 31-15 at Pahrump in 2005.

"We're excited about playing Spring Creek," said Brian Hug, the Pahrump Valley coach. "We're going to be playing someone in our own class." The Trojans, who drew players from a student population of 1,300, lost 40-0 to 4-A Las Vegas Chaparral and Chino, Calif., Don Lugo -- a school with 2,300 students -- 48-3.

Jund is optimistic that the Spartans will retain those distinctions, even though Dayton is expected to join two-time state champion Truckee, Calif., (which has won seven state titles since 1990) as a rival for league supremacy.

"We have good speed, and we're well-rounded at the skill positions," Jund said. "Some quality linemen (who convoyed Edwards during his record-setting career) return."

Spring Creek will carry 42 players, eight more than last year, and the Spartans have nine returning starters, most notably Kaycee Robinson, who started at quarterback last year and completed 40 of 74 passes for 599 yards during the regular season.

Robinson, at 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, is one of the team's most versatile athletes; he also can play wide receiver if the Spartans decide to go with promising junior Michael Royer at quarterback, and he is set to start at defensive end.

Edwards' role will be largely shouldered by the brothers Wing.

Kamas, a junior who impressed in cameo appearances last year, is described much the same way Jund used to described Edwards: "Great instincts, smart, loves contact." He has rushed for 233 yards in two games this season.

Like Edwards, he also will start at linebacker. His brother Caleb, a senior, often will give the Spartans a "double Wing" in the offensive backfield, and will be Satterthwaite's replacement at safety.

Spring Creek also has Jacob Patterson, one of the fastest players on the team, available for running-back and defensive-back duty, and Michael Kruger figures prominently at wide receiver and cornerback. Judd says Nick Jarvis (5-11, 180), a senior, will play somewhere (most likely fullback or linebacker) because of his attitude and passion.

The offensive line will be led by guard Ronnie Tricoli, who has increased his weight from 210 to 230 since last year without losing any of the speed that makes him a valuable pull man on sweeps. Stephen Knight (6-3, 210) and Tyler Collins (6-1, 185) also will play on both the offensive and defensive lines.

The most prominent newcomer is 5-9, 160-pound Gus Scheidemann, a wideout and defensive back who also is expected to handle the kicking duties.

Spring Creek Spartans, 2-0

Coach: Joel Jund (eighth season, 53-22)

2005 finish: 6-0 in Northern 3A, 10-1 overall (lost 31-13 to Truckee in state semifinals)

Most recent state title: 1997

2006 schedule:

Defeated Elko 17-14; Defeated Faith Lutheran 20-13

Friday, home vs. Pahrump Valley; Sept. 22, at Overton Moapa Valley; 29, at Dayton.

Oct. 6, Sparks; 13, Fernley; 21, at Truckee, Calif.; 26, at Winnemuccca Lowry.