Every chance Corey Phelps gets, he's playing football, watching football or reading about football.

The senior quarterback from Oakridge is looking forward to a successful season with the Eagles, but when time allows, he'll be watching football on television. No team in particular, as long as it's football.

Phelps and several of his teammates also get onto the Internet and read about football, particulary recruits. He knows what the blue chip players are doing in college, even Ronald Johnson at Southern Cal.

"I'm always checking up on players and doing what I can to better myself," said Phelps, a two-year starter who is also involved in teaching youth football. "I've been going to leadership stuff to better myself as a leader."

Phelps said he hopes the experience he gained last season, along with his preseason work this summer, will pay dividends as the Eagles prepare to defend their West Michigan Conference title.

"He works very hard and I don't think he missed a session," said Eagle coach Jack Schugars. "He always wants to improve and his confidence level is higher this year."

In order for the Eagles to be successful, they'll have to rely on some rather untested players. Workhorse running back T.J. Patton and Cordero Ibarra logged more than 2,300 rushing yards a year ago.

Phelps remains confident.

"Everyone is working hard ... everyone," said Phelps. "Everyone has been busting their butt. It's been 33 guys, on average, at lifting and conditioning. We're all commited."

That added commitment came after a disappointing finish last season. In the second round of the playoffs, the Eagles lost to North Muskegon, a team they defeated handily during the season.

"We overlooked them," said Phelps. "We're not going to let that happen again."

For some added motivation, Phelps and his buddies dust off the tape of the 1997 state championship game and slide it into the VCR.

"That gets us pumped up before the season starts," said Phelps. "This is our year."

With six returning starters on offense and seven on defense, there's a solid nucleus of players to build around.

Senior Kyle Huck will get plenty of touches on the ball, be it as a running back, flanker or quarterback. Matt Eacker and Nick Scott are also expected to get some time in the backfield. Up front, the Eagles are strong with tight end Kyle Short, guards Kyle Larabee and Josh Wahr and senior tackles Jon DeNio and Anthony Gallegos.

Defensively, the Eagles are just as experienced with seven returning starters, led by Scott, Short, Everett Cribbs and Brandon Pirkola at linebacker and Wahr, Larabee and Dustin Kolberg up front.

And Phelps calling the signals.

"He's not too bad a thrower," said Schugars, the dean of coaches in West Michigan. "He's an adequate runner and does a good job when needed. At 155 pounds, he's a little on the light side, so we do worry about the injury factor."

There's also the motivation that comes from playing on the new Fieldturf that was installed at Russell A. Erickson Stadium.

"When we got tired running, Kyle Short would yell, 'look at the field, look at the field,'" said Phelps. "I don't know how to explain how excited everyone is to play on that field."

Nobody would be shocked if Matt Mills stopped playing football at North Muskegon High School.

After all, Mills had shoulder surgery in his shortened sophomore season. Then he suffered a broken collarbone in the middle of his junior season.

But Mills is back for his senior season and more appreciative of the opportunity to mix it up for the Norsemen.

"I'm glad I went through those experiences,' Mills said about his injuries. "It humbled me. Every missed practice, it killed me. It was the worst thing ever.'

Mills is a football fanatic. He started playing in Mini Mites and hasn't missed a season since.

North Muskegon has a solid football tradition and shouldn't miss a beat after making a run at a regional championship last season. The weight room has been crowded in the offseason as Mills and his teammmates try to take the next step.

Mills knows injuries are part of the game and he's hoping to remain healthy from start to finish as a senior.

"I can't worry about getting hurt,' said Mills, whose favorite teams are Notre Dame and the Detroit Lions. "You have to bring it every play. You have to go all out on every single play. If something goes wrong, you can't let it affect you."

At 5-10 and 180 pounds, Mills isn't the biggest, fastest or strongest high school player. But he'll be a key weapon on both sides of the ball for the Norse as a wide receiver and corner back.

"He's the kind of kid as a teacher that you enjoy having him in your class or in your neighborhood,' NM coach John Slocum said. "There's no ego with Matt. He catches the ball well and sees the field well. He's not the fastest kid in West Michigan, but he has decent speed, good football speed.'

Mills plays football for the contact, but really enjoys the close bonds with his teammates.

"These are great guys I've known since first grade and I can't imagine going through a fall without them,' said Mills, whose father Dave played at Muskegon and was a pulling guard at Dartmouth. "I love my teammates.'

Mills' best friends are teammates Kyle Cooke, Ryan Buter, Mark Picard and Alex Jones. You often can find them at Mills' house on fall weekends watching college and pro football games on TV.

Mills grew up a few blocks from the high school and spent many Friday nights watching NM games at Fred Jacks Field. His favorite player: former running back Jamie Keene.

The Norse hope to excel with experience, including seven players who were elevated to the varsity as sophomores. There are 26 players on the roster, including 15 from the senior class.

And Mills hopes to be on the receiving end of many Cooke passes this fall.

"Kyle is a good quarterback,' Mills said. "He's a solid quarterback and he'll surprise a lot of people.

"We have all the ingredients to be a great team,' added Mills, who plans to play basketball during the winter. "There are tough teams in our conference and no easy games. We have to step it up.'