GROVE CITY — Chris Smith has a plan.

And the Grove City College football coach intends to follow it.

"Our philosophy is we don't want to make it any more difficult and complicated than it has to be," said Smith, who is entering his 24th season as the Wolverines coach. "You have a plan, and you follow it. That's what we did and we had the best spring semester we have ever had.

"That's all we have to do this fall."

Things didn't go according to plan last season. Smith entered 2006 with high hopes, then watched as Grove City lost seven of its first eight games.

The Wolverines did win their last two games, but the disastrous early start sabotaged the season.

"As a coach, you always see the potential," Smith said. "Going into last season, I saw the potential, but I didn't see as clearly the youth we were playing. I give our players credit. They hung in there and finished strong. I think that sets the stage for this year."

Grove City returns almost every key contributor last season on both sides of the ball.

Perhaps the most intriguing of those returnees is sophomore quarterback Andrew DiDonato.

As a freshman, he set single-season records for completions (151), attempts (275) and threw for 1,554 yards and 13 scores.

With a talented stable of receivers, two seniors returning at running back in Matt Weil and Ian Tobin, and an offensive line that returns three starters, including all-conference center Matt Gregg, DiDonato is poised for an even bigger year.

"If he stays healthy, he'll probably have all our school passing records," Smith said.

Six starters return on defense, led by middle linebacker BillWaugh.

The Wolverines' defense is an active one. Strong safety Shane Coughlin led the team with 90 tackles.

A rule change could affect Grove City's special teams. Last year, Justin Fowler set what might be an all-divisions NCAA record with seven blocked kicks.

Grove City has blocked 13 kicks in the last two seasons. The Wolverines did it by propelling Fowler through the line. Now, that maneuver is illegal.

"You're not allowed to propel a teammate in any shape or form," Smith said. "JustinFowler's record may never be broken. He had seven blocked kicks in one season. Seven as a team is a lot."

Grove City also spent the offseason collecting kickers. The Wolverines have five on the roster, including Butler High graduate Chris Haley.

The conference is a tough one and the Wolverines can ill-afford a similar start to the one they endured last season.

The plan is to get off to a quick start. And when Chris Smith has a plan, like he has had this offseason, he usually sticks to it.

"We have a talented team coming back," Smith said. "We have great reason for optimism. You never know what the future holds, but you can only work your plan. And, so far, our plan has absolutely been off the charts."