RIMERSBURG - Last year was one that Tom Kidder would just as soon forget.

In his first year as the Union High School football coach, Kidder went 0-10 and his team was outscored 488-62.

But 2005 is a new year.

Union's roster has swelled from just 18 players a year ago to 34.

Senior running back Colton Davis, who accounted for 61 percent of the Golden Knights offense, is bigger and faster.

And the offensive line - young, raw and small last year - is more seasoned and bigger.

There is a level of optimism at Union that hasn't been there in more than two seasons as the team is enduring a 21-game losing streak.

"I don't think we are expecting to go 10-0 this season," Kidder said. "But I think we can win some games. I just wish we only played single-A opponents."

Union has a difficult schedule as one of the smallest schools in the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference.

A key game on the schedule might be Union's first - a tilt with single-A Cambridge Springs at home Sept. 2.

Kidder said he believes his team can be competitive this season, no matter the obstacles.

That would be a far cry from last season, when Union was really competitive in only one game - a 47-25 loss to Kennedy Catholic.

"Small steps," Kidder said. "We were 0-10 and haven't won a game in a couple of years. You have to take a lot of small steps and be content with that."

Kidder's emphasis in the off-season was to improve the strength and conditioning of his team. That meant more workouts and more weight lifting.

Kidder's feelings about the turnout were mixed.

"There are still some who have that old mentality that football starts in August," Kidder said. "When you have a losing program, that's tough to change."

But the change already has begun. Davis was one of the workout fiends in the offseason and added 20 pounds of bulk to his frame without sacrificing any of his speed.

Davis, who rushed for 629 yards and two touchdowns last season, is poised for a breakout senior year.

"I expect a lot of good things from him," Kidder said.

But Kidder said his offense will need more than just Davis left and Davis right.

He may have found a new quarterback in Toby Painter.

The 6-foot-1 senior didn't play last year, but has come out for the team this season to compete with incumbent Josh Holden

Kidder likes Painter's arm strength.

"He throws a nice ball," Kidder said. "He's worked pretty hard for us."

Holden also will see a lot of time under center. The senior took some lumps last season after taking over the job for Toby Best.

He threw for 149 yards and two scores to go along with five interceptions.

"Josh is probably going to be one of our starters," Kidder said. "He took most of the reps last year."

Whoever is under center, there will be some targets to throw to.

Brett Moore enjoyed a solid season last year, catching nine passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns.

Another senior, Lance Fancher came out for the team and will be the other receiver.

"He's a short little kid," Kidder said of Fancher, "but he catches everything."

The offensive line may be the key for the Golden Knights this season.

Last year, the unit struggled at times.

Senior Corey Hepler, juniors Tom Rainey, Jimmy Greenwalt and sophomore Drew Logue all return as starters and all got a little bigger and wiser since last season.

Sophomore Matt Kelly is the frontrunner for the other spot.

"I think it will take more than Colton to control the ball," Kidder said. "We have some returning linemen as well. Hopefully, they can come together."

On defense, Davis (middle linebacker), Rainey and Best (defensive ends) will be anchors.

The main focus was increasing the speed of the unit.

"Last year, we didn't have much speed," Kidder said. "We were a very slow football team. This year, we have a lot more speed and quickness."

But will it be enough? Kidder is keeping everything in its proper perspective.

"The longer these kids spend with me, the more they know what I expect from them in the offseason," Kidder said. "It's a slow process."