• Head Coach: Mike Davidson, seventh season

• Last Year: 8-4 1A Emerald City (third), 12-5 overall

• Roster breakdown: 4 seniors, 5 juniors, 3 sophomores, 6 freshman

Top players

• Sr. Trevor Kowal, C: Potential Gonzaga-signee is a great defensive catcher, and a big bat in the Owls lineup. But his off-the-field jovial nature is almost as important as his play on it.

• Jr. Michael Curtis, P: Anybody who saw the first-team all-league pitcher last year was impressed with his repertoire and physical presence. But the 6-foot-5-inch 210 pound junior is even bigger and stronger this year.

• Jr. Danny Poplawski, SS: Three-year starter hits third in potent lineup and led the team in RBIs in 2007. Coaches rave about how good he can become.

• Jr. Tommy Castle, CF: Speedy leadoff man has cannon for arm. First-team all-league in 2007. Also plays quarterback for Bellevue High football team.

• Jr. Seth Bensussen, IF: Emerald City Rookie of the year in 2007 after batting .452. Perhaps most team’s unheralded player.

• Sr. Alex Salter, 1B: Two-year starter hit .436 last year.

• So. John Stolarczuk, C/3B: Hard-nosed newcomer has already played his way into starting lineup.

Big games

• April 28 vs. Bellevue Christian: Overlake may have beaten Bellevue Christian early in the year, but the Vikings have made state every year since 2001 save for one and won’t give up that spot easily.

• May 4 at Cedar Park Christian: Overlake’s top rival in the last game of the year will almost certainly have playoff implications.