Nine months have passed since Etowah's unlikely run to the state baseball tournament — one that nearly carried the Eagles to the final four.

While the other Cherokee County teams tried to work their way to .500, Etowah finished third in Region 6-AAAA and made eight- and six-run comebacks in the state tournament while blazing a trail to the quarterfinals.

Now, all four teams start even, and there's plenty of potential for each to make a run of its own.

Etowah

If the Eagles are going to match last season's success, they'll have to do so without 2005 Cherokee County player of the year Nick DeSilvio, who hit .451 with 13 home runs and was 7-1 as a pitcher with a 1.45 ERA.

While his bat will be missed, replacing his pitching prowess may be the toughest task.

"Pitchingwise, it's going to take two people," said Etowah coach David Childress, on how to replace DeSilvio this year. "I don't think we're going to have the superstar like Nick, but we've got a few guys who are pretty good."

Among them are Matt Carter and Drew Tyson, who will carry much of the pitching load. Thomas Vermilya will be expected to pitch some, while also serving as the team's shortstop and go-to hitter.

"He's going to probably be a quiet surprise," Childress said of Vermilya. "He's not a real rah-rah guy. Like he did last year, he'll just go out and get the job done."

Cherokee

The Warriors' 12-14 mark in 2005 is somewhat misleading after several close losses. So Cherokee brings some fairly high expectations into this season.

Coach Mike Collins left to coach Pebblebrook's football team, and Jason McDaniel, a former assistant baseball coach at Kell, took over.

The biggest holes are left by the departures of Anthony Steele and catcher Bryn Blanton. In addition, Trent McMullen will miss the season after injuring his knee in an August football game.

For the Warriors to do well, they'll have to get strong defense from second baseman Brad Blanton and shortstop Jean Amaya.

"There aren't two players who are as solid as they are up the middle anywhere around," McDaniel said. "It's their turn to shine. A lot of times, they've been overlooked within this region."

Sequoyah

Last year's inexperienced Sequoyah team struggled at times, but the seeds that were sown last year could pay dividends now.

The Chiefs have six starters and their No. 1 pitcher returning to the team in senior Todd Richards. Joey Dilbeck is expected to provide a solid bat with his .380 lifetime batting average.

With Richards, Sequoyah has a rare southpaw starter who can not only go deep into games but do so with an array of pitches he can spot in the zone.

"He goes out there, and he throws strikes," Sequoyah coach Steve Bohn said. "He knows what he's doing on the mound. He's got control with five or six pitches. He's a very confident ball player."

Woodstock

The Wolverines are hoping for a fresh start with just three full-time returning starters and one pitcher returning from last season's 9-17 team.

Catcher/pitcher Robby Allison and first baseman Robbie Shelton are expected to play key roles, while Tyler Pischke is the front-runner to take over the No. 1 pitching spot.

Experience is a factor for the team, as only two of six seniors have had regular playing time. The biggest concern may be who follows Pischke.

If coach Scott Krug can find some reliable pitchers to fall in line, the Wolverines have a shot at the playoffs. "Our pitching depth could be tough," Krug said. "We've got a No. 1 but, after that, I don't think I have a guy who's thrown more than three innings. We're hoping to get some depth. Right now, I don't know who I'm going to be able to count on, first, second, third inning, need be."