CEDAR FALLS - Football season hasn't even started yet, and NU High already feels like it's on a roll.

Currently the reigning Class 1A state champions in both boys' basketball and golf, the Panthers hope to continue their winning habits while building on a 6-3 season last year.

"I think our confidence is high," said senior quarterback Thomas Creeden, also a member of that title-winning golf team. "A couple of state championships is a good place to start."

While the Panthers have just five seniors back from last year's squad, coach Kody Asmus likes what he's seeing from his underclassmen in practice.

"You're going to see a lot of new faces, but we're probably deeper than we ever have been, position-wise," Asmus said. "We've got a lot of guys that are confident in their abilities because they've worked hard in the off-season. The thing we're excited for is to see how they handle a game situation."

The Panthers will get that opportunity a day earlier than most Class 1A teams, since they host Colo-NESCO in their opener Thursday. The non-conference opener is an ideal scenario for a team that will have to establish its identity before getting into the meat of its District 3 schedule.

"It's a nice opportunity to kind of work with a few things," Asmus said.

"We're a pretty young team, so this is the perfect time to start with some non-district games."

One area that is not a question mark is the offensive line. Creeden passed for more than 1,100 yards last year behind some solid protection, and he will have returning starters Jawanza Holmes, Jimmy McClain and Devon Turner in front of him again.

"That's a good feeling to have them back," Creeden said. "Those three guys were really good last year, and they've only gotten better."

Creeden's top targets will include Brad Denning, who also played a big role in helping hoist the state basketball trophy.

"I think you're going to see a lot of speed, a lot of getting the ball around to different backs and receivers," Creeden said.

The Panthers take on Colo-NESCO (4-5 in 2007) in a 7 p.m. matchup at the UNI-Dome Thursday.

Contact Brian Pals at (319) 291-1466 or brian.pals@wcfcourier.com