WATERLOO - Like any coach, Waterloo East High's Antonio Mays knows wins and losses take care of themselves.

Mays is more concerned about being competitive, not only against Mississippi Valley Conference opponents, but competitive amongst themselves.

After a couple weeks of two-a-day practices, Mays likes the competition he's seen on the East practice field.

"We needed competition for positions, and sometimes you have to create competition, so I called up a couple of kids from the sophomore squad," said Mays who enters his second year at his alma mater. "We're seeing a lot of kids battle, fight for a chance to get on the field. I like it. It's what we need."

Two seasons after ending a record-breaking losing streak, the Trojans want to take a couple more steps forward in 2008.

In order for East to make another jump forward, the Trojans understand complacency can't exist in their program.

"Strength is competition," linebacker Onazi Agbese said. "No guy can feel complacent in his spot if he has to battle for it everyday, and we've had to battle everyday.

"It makes each of us better because we're being pushed … because everyone knows if they work hard, practice hard, they could win a spot. If they don't, they could lose their spot."

East has nine starters returning from its 1-8 squad, but has to replace many of its key skill position players.

Mays isn't worried about finding good skill players.

"We have good speed, quickness and athleticism," Mays said. "That is an East High trademark."

One of the huge holes the Trojans have to fill is that of graduated 1,000-yard rusher Trice Scott.

Currently, Ricondas Martin and Cameron Winters are the leading candidates.

"Cameron is a bigger, more powerful back, while Ricondas is smaller but quicker," Mays said.

The Trojans are also looking for a new quarterback to replace Caleb Kinnetz. Among the trio of candidates is junior Travante Umoren who took a few snaps last year.

"Each of us is coming out, working hard and hopefully by Friday we will have it figured out," said DaeJohn Love, one of the quarterback candidates. "We're all fighting to be the guy."

Regardless, the new quarterback will have the luxury of working out of the shot gun as East plans on using some spread offense.

"We did a little spread last year," wide receiver Demetrius Tillman said. "I like it. We get to sling it around. We think we are an athletic team that can use our athletic ability to beat other teams."

The Trojans have just a handful of practices left before they travel to Cedar Rapids Prairie in their season opener Friday. With that in mind, East has big plans for 2008.

"We want to continue to get better and get more wins this year," senior Corey Turner said. "We want to try to make the playoffs. We're going to have challenges, but we just have to believe and have faith that we can win."

Contact Jim Nelson at (319) 291-1521 or jim.nelson@wcfcourier.com