The four seniors — defensive tackles Steve Samera and Sean Dover, and defensive ends Abdullah Jose and Jerry Hurtado — are much of the reason there is a bit of a buzz surrounding the talent of this year’s Jefferson squad. It’s been a long time since Jefferson has had a team to get excited about. The last time the Indians finished better than .500 was in 2001, and they haven’t advanced to the postseason in 10 years.

First-year head coach Ako Poti is optimistic about his 4-3 defense, which features some hard hitting linebackers, and a defensive line that is 6-feet and taller across the board.

“I think the front seven will be able to do something special this year,” Poti said.

Add to the mix a returning all-league cornerback in senior Winston Fotte and the defense seems to boast a recipe for success.

Poti knows the taste of Jefferson success. He was the line coach of the varsity team from 2000-04, and recalls the 2001 squad getting trumped by Mills on a field goal in the closing seconds to decide the Ocean Division championship. After missing a year, Poti was asked to return to his varsity post, but instead called an audible. While he did return to Jefferson in 2006, he wanted to help build the program from the ground up. Therefore, he took over the frosh-soph squad, and went on to helm it for three years.

Due in part to last year’s addition of a state-of-the-art synthetic turf field, Jefferson’s numbers are up. Forty players are currently in camp, including a junior group that posted a 10-0 record for Poti’s frosh-soph squad last year.

“We’re running out of equipment,” Poti said. “It’s good and bad, but it’s nice. The excitement is back now, especially with the kids.”

The pressure will be on the young offense. Graduated is tailback Troy Barnes, who surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in rushing last year, so the Indians will turn to a balanced, two-back approach. They received a big lift with the addition of Riordan transfer Akeem Bryant, a varsity sprinter who touts a 4.4-second 40-yard split. Balancing the attack is fullback Simi Kofe, a 230-pound junior who Poti says has “some of the best feet on the team.”

Junior quarterback Ezekiel Nunu is tabbed as the starter, and as a 6-foot-1 runner and gunner, he brings a lot more than just a great name to the mix.

“He has perfect knowledge of the system,” Poti said. “He’s got the system down. He’s got a great arm, and when he gets in trouble he can get out. He’s got great speed. He’s probably got the second-best speed on the team.”

Nunu is quite an upgrade from last year, when Hurtado was forced to assume first-string quarterback duties due to an early-season injury to Jefferson’s starter. Considering Hurtado is now playing on the offensive line as a guard, it’s safe to say Nunu brings as much experience to the position as he does speed.

“[Hurtado] did well. He did the best he could under the circumstances,” Poti said. “I can tell you he wasn’t really comfortable. But he was our best option at the time and he knew the offense.”

Now Hurtado is back on the line where he belongs, yet on the defensive line — despite his 6-foot, 200-pound frame — he is probably the smallest in stature. Jose might give him a run for his money, also listing at 6-foot, 200-pounds. But the big boy is Dover, a 6-foot-3, 300-pound nose tackle who hasn’t suited up since his freshman year due to an ACL injury. Samera though, at 6-foot-1, 280-pounds, brings experience to the middle.

“Steven can definitely play at the next level,” Poti said. “He’s strong, and explosive.”

Coach: Ako Poti

2008 record: 0-5 Ocean Division ‘B,’ 2-8 overall

 Key returners: Winston Fotte (sr., FS/WR, 5-9, 170), Steve Samera (sr., TE/DT, 6-1, 280), Abdullah Jose (sr., FB/DE, 6-0, 200), Jerry Hurtado (sr., G/DE, 6-0, 200), Jonathan Sylvester (sr., OLB, 5-11, 185), Gabriel Gutierrez (sr., WR/SS, 5-11, 190).

 Key newcomers: Ezekiel Nunu (jr., QB/S, 6-1, 185), Akeem Bryant (sr., 5-9, 175), Simi Kofe (jr., FB/MLB, 6-0, 230), Sean Dover (sr., OT/DT, 6-3, 300), Kyani Harris, (jr., WR/LB), Viane Visesio (jr., OLB, 5-11, 185).

2009 Schedule: 9/11 CONCORD, 7 p.m.; 9/18 BURTON-SAN FRANCISCO, 7 p.m.; 9/25 NORTHGATE-WALNUT CREEK, 7 p.m.; 10/2 at South San Francisco, 7 p.m.; 10/9 SEQUOIA, 7 p.m.; 10/16 at Mills, 3 p.m.; 10/23 at Hillsdale, 3 p.m.; 10/30 CAPUCHINO, 3 p.m.; 11/6 at El Camino, 2:45 p.m.; 11/13 at The King’s Academy, 7 p.m.