MID PENN CONFERENCE PREVIEW: A quick look at the teams competing in the Mid Penn

After an in-depth preview of each of the Franklin County teams, it's always a good idea to know a little bit about the competition.

Here are capsules of each of the other Mid Penn Conference football teams.

Colonial Division

BIG SPRING >> The Bulldogs were winless in the division last year, but are now under the direction of coach Cory Hoffman. Garrett Chestnut, last year's starting quarterback, will play at receiver, and Triston Cooper returns at running back. Tristan Robb, a Colonial Division First-Team All-Star, returns at linebacker, and Rhett Nixon will anchor the defensive line.

EAST PENNSBORO >> The Panthers made a big statement in their first year in the Colonial Division, earning a share of the division title with Waynesboro. Although East Penn lost a few key pieces, Kyle Purnell is ready to take over under center and has tight end Matt Dunkleberger and wide receiver Zach Wertz as his supporting cast. Defensively, the Panthers posted three shutouts a year ago.

NORTHERN YORK >> Greg Bowman is one of three new coaches in the Division, and he has quite a few returning starters to work with. Bobby Shelly and Michael Kearney are the running back duo, and Curtis Robison is back under center. Defensively, the Polar Bears bring back seven starters, including Noah Smith, who will be relied upon to be a force up front.

Commonwealth Division

CARLISLE >> For the past three years, the Thundering Herd have relied heavily on quarterback Billy Burger, but all that has changed this season. Carlisle also lost their top wide receiver but return Tyler Greene at running back. On the defensive side, the Herd allowed just 22 points per game last year and are hoping to match that or better. Three starters return on the line to create holes for top linebackers Nate Barnes and Grant Shughart.

CENTRAL DAUPHIN >> The Rams could have one of the top defenses in the division this season. They are led by Micah Parsons, a defensive end who was named a freshman All-American in 2014. Offensively, CD is pretty stacked also. Raleigh Sirb, who was a 1,000-yard rusher last season, returns, and AJ Millar will take over under center. CD shared the division title with CD East and Cumberland Valley last year.

CD EAST >> Central Dauphin East, which had a share of the Commonwealth Division title last year, returns starting quarterback Jahad Neibauer and running back Tyshaun Pollard. The linebacking crew of Brandon Hickerson-Rooks, Darrion Livingston and Wendell Banks returns, and the Panthers are look to come back even stronger than they were in 2014.

CUMBERLAND VALLEY >> The third team in the Commonwealth triumvirate, Cumberland Valley is hungry for more. Running back Nick Rhodes and wide receiver Connor Long both are back to anchor an offense that didn't have its best stuff last year. Taking over at quarterback will be Josh Ferguson. Long was also a MPC Commonwealth First-Team selection a year ago at defensive back, and second-team linebacker Cole Kline also returns.

HARRISBURG >> Quarterback Yahmir Wilkerson now has a year under his belt, and he'll look to lead Harrisburg alongside top receiver Shaquon Anderson-Butts, who averaged more than 20 yards per catch last year. Harrisburg will continue to hang its hat on defense, which includes Damion Barber, Andrew Young and two-way lineman Chad Cooksey-Easter.

MIFFLIN COUNTY >> The Huskies did not win a game in the Commonwealth last year, and may have a difficult time of it again in 2015. They return just five combined starters. Drew Williams and Isaac Maclay have been competing for the starting quarterback job, and there are several other position battles where a victor has yet to emerge. Brent Hartman is the new coach of the Huskies.

STATE COLLEGE >> State College was the District 6-9 Class AAAA champion last year and went on to the PIAA quarterfinals, and there's a good chance the Little Lions will be in prime position to do the same. They have one of the top running backs in the area in Jordan Misher, who gained more than 1,500 yards on the ground last year.

Capital Division

BOILING SPRINGS >> The Bubblers lost some of their top skill players from a successful 2014 campaign, so this year, Tristan Enck will take over under center. Defensively, Val Arena and Dylan McCoy will be two of the team's strongest linebackers.

CAMP HILL >> Quarterback Michael Shuster returns for his fourth year as a starter, and he'll now have a more experienced line in front of him. Zack Kuntz also returns after being named an All-American in 2014, and he'll be playing both tight end and defensive end.

MIDDLETOWN >> The Blue Raiders could have one of the top defenses in the Capital with top linebacker Caleb Leggore running the show. Corbin Stetler is also a solid LB, and Middletown made need a strong defense as it tries to find a new quarterback.

MILTON HERSHEY >> The defending division champ, Milton Hershey returns quarterback Keonte Lucas, who threw for 957 yards and added 1,175 on the ground. On the flipside, defensive back Ahmir Manning will lead the secondary as a returning Capital Division first-team selection.

PALMYRA >> The Cougars, who joined the Capital Division last season, have a solid defense with Mason Sosnoski, Mason Cooper and Tyler Gallagher all finishing 2014 with more than 50 tackles, but several of the top athletes will be playing both ways.

STEEL-HIGH >> Malachi Young will now play quarterback for what was an inconsistent offense a year ago, but the defense should be a strong point. Tyreek Williams, Shamari Jones and Quentin Taylor-Porter are all returning starters in the secondary.

TRINITY >> The Shamrocks return just six total starters, but Hunter Geisel is one of those. At quarterback last year, Geisel threw for nearly 1,500 yards and had 11 touchdowns. Alexander Schlager returns at linebacker.

WEST PERRY >> Coming off a winless season, the Mustangs will be relying heavily on running back Hunter Wilson, who had 423 yards on the ground last year. But West Perry will need a lot of improvement on both sides of the ball this season.

Keystone Division

BISHOP MCDEVITT >> After suffering a narrow defeat in the PIAA Class AAA semifinals, the Crusaders are hungry for more. McDevitt returns eight starters on offense, including Kobay White, Bryce Hall and Kyree Calli. The trio had nearly 3,000 receiving yards combined last year.

CEDAR CLIFF >> The Colts will be looking to improve on defense this year, but offensively, they return Keystone Division MVP Jayden Demmy, who rushed for 1,789 yards and 27 touchdowns.

HERSHEY >> The Trojans were winless in the division and had only two victories overall last year, and there are questions still being answered. One of two sophomores will start at quarterback, and Hershey returns only four starters defensively.

LOWER DAUPHIN >> Tommy Klock will take over at quarterback, but expect a heavy run game from the Falcons again this year with the return of George Hatalowich, who gained more than 1,000 yards last year.

MECHANICSBURG >> The Wildcats have big shoes to fill after top running back Shyheim Brown transferred to Central Dauphin East, but the defense should be solid with three returners up front.

RED LAND >> Justin Johnson has a lot of pressure on his shoulder as Red Land's top rusher for the first time, and defensively, Wes Brantner and Ricky Tamanosky will anchor what should be a top line.

SUSQUEHANNA TOWNSHIP >> After a 3-7 season last year, the Indians return eight players on both sides of the ball. Ben Moser, who threw for more than 2,000 yards, is back under center.