GOLD BEACH — Ask Gold Beach coach Kevin Swift what he thinks of his team this year and he’ll promptly predict the Panthers to finish last in the Sunset Conference.

Clearly he’s kidding.

With returning players like four-year starter and first-team all-state quarterback Jeffrey Knox, along with first-team all-state senior fullback Travis Moore and seven other returning starters and a host of other upperclassmen, defending state champion Gold Beach has to be one of the teams to beat in the Sunset Conference this year.

But nobody was willing to predict that as the team was finishing up its second week of practice last week — let alone talk about state or how the squad compares to last year’s team that went 14-0 en route to the title.

“I don’t try and compare this year’s team with that team last year,” said Knox. “We have the talent, definitely, but it depends how it comes together.”

“I’ve been doing this a long time, I know what it takes,” said Swift, who came from coaching larger schools in California and is now in his 12th year at the helm of the Panthers. “You need some luck, the stars have to line up. And they’ve got to want it as much as they did last year. That’s the thing. Last year, they played with a big chip on their shoulder. This year, I might have to put that chip on their shoulder.”

The team has plenty of holes to fill, as its list of graduated all-league players for last season is enough to make any coach cry: First-team players Nathan Moore at wide receiver; offensive linemen Anthony Simera and Mitch Longwill; defensive linemen Robert Phillips and Mitch McDonald (the Class 3A defensive player of the year in 2007); defensive backs David Bonotto and Mackenzie Burdett. The squad also lost second-teamer Herbie Smith (running back), as well as honorable mention awardee defensive lineman Aaron Cervantes.

No wonder nobody wants to try and compare this team to last year’s squad.

But no matter what, Gold Beach fans can expect the same style of old-school option football from the Panthers this season, driven by the dominating running of Knox and Moore and a monstrous front line.

Knox and Moore have been widely recognized for their abilities throughout their careers, and Moore was the Class 3A offensive player of the year last season.

But the line will be key for Gold Beach, and it’s anchored by a group of returning starters: Center/defensive end Logan Hockema, who stands at 6-feet-5-inches and weighs in at 215 pounds; 6-foot-5, 260-pound Tim Young; 6-foot-2, 200-pound Joey Wegner; and 5-foot-9, 210-pound utility lineman Mike Klein, all seniors. Six-foot-2, 235-pound senior Mykel Smith; 5-foot-7, 270-pound senior Harry McKenzie; as well as junior Garrett Hoffman and sophomore Jordan McDonald, who will further bolster the front line on both sides of the ball.

“Our whole offense is based around the line,” said Knox. “I have total confidence in this line.”

Junior Richard Wallace will join Moore in the backfield at fullback, a one-two combo that Swift expects to be punishing. The Panthers also will look for some outside speed from tailbacks Garrett Wolford and Hugo Rosa, a senior and junior, respectively.

Gold Beach is thin when it comes to receivers, however, so Swift and company are looking for some guys to step up as the team plans to throw 10 or 12 passes a game to keep defenses honest. Swift hopes guys like senior James Davis, junior Todd Martin and sophomore Don Swan can catch some balls this year.

Defensively, the Panthers will likely stick with an even front with a focus on gap control backed up with zone coverages. Again, Young and Hockema will buoy the front line, with McKenzie, Hoffman and sophomore Jack Lander filling in the holes. Moore should be tough again at linebacker, and Swift said he’d likely move Wolford off the line to strong safety, with Klein and Davis filling in the backing positions.

The secondary is a crucial question mark for Gold Beach, with an entirely new crew composed probably of Knox, Rosa, Martin and Swan.

“Our pass defense is improving. We worked on it a lot throughout our summer camp,” said Knox, talking about Gold Beach’s annual team camp. “We just need more time on the field.”

Overall, the defensive side of the ball is clearly where the Panthers have the most holes that need to be filled with untested players. But with a core of veterans to bolster the young blood, the team’s leaders don’t seem too concerned.

“We’ve got a lot of new faces defensively,” said Moore. “I think we can surprise some people defensively, though.”

Perhaps the biggest X factor for Gold Beach this season, however, will be intangibles like team chemistry and heart.

As the defending championship squad readied for a team barbeque following a light practice last Wednesday before its Thursday game against Class 5A Crook County, the players and coaches mainly said the season’s success will be determined by how well the team jells and how tenacious the Panthers will be in pursuit of a title, league or otherwise.

“It’s up to the kids,” said Swift with a shrug.

For his part, Young said he and his teammates want to make a big postseason run just as badly as last year’s team did.

“Seniors always want it,” he said. “Seeing last year’s seniors go out on a win makes us want to do the same.”

No doubt here’s plenty of pressure. Expectations are high. How the team deals with it likely will determine how far Gold Beach can extend the season come the playoffs.

“I came from big schools in California, and I’ll tell you there is more pressure here (in Gold Beach). This is the only game in town, there are very high expectations,” said Swift. “I just work hard and deal with it. And be sure to take my blood pressure medication.”