Blacksburg coach Robbie Blanton and the Wildcats began preseason drills on Friday. About 60 Blacksburg High football players attended the team's first practice Friday as preparations officially began for the 2007 season.

Blacksburg improved from 1-10 to 5-5 last year to qualify for the playoffs in their first year in Class 2A. The Wildcats hope another strong sophomore class and veteran leadership will help the team achieve higher goals this year.

Blacksburg spent much of their first practice going through drills and issuing equipment. An additional 10 to 15 players are expected to start practice Monday.

"We will start putting in our offense and defense this week," Blanton said. "We have another good sophomore class coming in and hope some more players will come out that can help us."

Blacksburg is searching for a new starting quarterback to replace Gary Gaut, who graduated after earning All-Region honors last year.

Dustin Byars and Darrell Walton are the top candidates to become the starting quarterback.

Byars started several games at quarterback in 2004 and 2005. Walton was the starter on last year's junior varsity squad.

Byars could miss the first few practices while Post 109 is involved in the American Legion playoffs.

With several seniors on the offensive and defensive line, Blanton said the Wildcats will look for younger linemen to step up and gain playing experience this fall.

Blacksburg will use the next couple weeks of preseason to identify a starting lineup and develop depth at different positions.

Broome and Woodruff are among the top Class 2A opponents that Blacksburg must prepare for this year.

"One of the things we learned last year is we need to be more physical to compete in our region," Blanton said. "We will use live contact in practice to see who can play."

Blacksburg will hold its first scrimmage Friday with Christ Church and Mid- Carolina.

"We hope to name a starting quarterback in the next couple weeks," Blanton said. "A lot of it will be based on how players perform in scrimmages and game type situations."