PHILADELPHIA — Every Section 10/7 football team knows one name: Curtis Dukes of Indian River.

Dukes started gaining local attention and notoriety three years ago as a freshman.

"He came to varsity as a freshman and started at d-back," said Indian River coach Cory Marsell. "We knew that he was going to be very, very good back in modified, we just didn't know how good."

A few recruitment tapes and interviews later, and Dukes landed a football scholarship at Penn State.

He made a verbal agreement with the school on July 1.

"I'm not so sure he got noticed at all until he got the tapes out," Marsell said. "Once he sent the tapes out, he got a lot of phone calls and from there he had a lot of coaches coming."

Dukes has since faced media and league attention for his achievement and the obvious comparisons to former Gouverneur standout and current St. Louis Ram Brian Leonard. After all that, he still keeps his ego in check and just wants to focus on his senior year.

"It's easy for me because I don't really pay attention to it," he said. "I'm just preparing my team and myself and getting ready for open season."

Penn State wants him to do the same thing. The coaching and recruiting staff told him to enjoy his senior year and just have fun.

"Penn State said, 'This is your senior year' and he should listen to his coach," said Marsell. "We've got capable coaches that know how to do their job."

Dukes will serve as one of the running backs in Indian River's wing-T formation. The system led Indian River to the State quarterfinals last year. The Warriors lost to Lansingburgh 37-36 to end their season.

"It wasn't disappointing," Dukes said. "Just things happen. We just had mistakes here and there and we have to go back to day one and start all over again."

Marsell said the team learned from the state experience and is ready to make another run at the state title.

"We've got a system in place and we are maintaining that system," he said. "We believe in our system."

Dukes might not get the number of carries one would expect for a future Penn State player.

"His numbers aren't incredible as in total yards," Marsell said. "He's 6 foot 2 inches tall. Being that big and running as fast as he does, (Penn State) was very impressed with that."

This year, Dukes will play his role not as a Section 10/7 superstar, but as an Indian River team player.

"We want to believe in each other and accomplish our goals," he said. "Out goal is to go to states. I'm being a leader and just staying humble and helping my teammates."

DIVISION BREAKDOWN

Division I (Class A): Canton, Indian River, Massena, Potsdam.

Division II West (B/C): Gouverneur, Malone, OFA, Saranac Lake.

Division II East (B): Beekmantown, Peru, Plattsburgh, Saranac.

Division III (C/D): AuSable Valley, Moriah, Seton Catholic, St. Lawrence, Ticonderoga, Tupper Lake.

SECTION 10

Outlook:Indian River is once again a favorite in the Northern Football Conference. Curtis Dukes returns for his senior campaign after the Warriors went on to the state quarterfinals in Class A. Canton is in a major rebuilding year with the loss of almost its entire starting team. Potsdam is playing on its new artificial turf and under the lights. Nick Howard, Cody Bonno and Brandon Kelly all return for the Sandstoners. In class B, Ogdensburg Free Academy looks to be the standout with four returners set to have big seasons. Jared Morrow, Steve Morrow, and Tylor Stevenson all return for the Blue Devils. Tupper Lake is also in a rebuilding year in Class C and most likely won't finish the regular season unscathed this year.

Canton Golden Bears

Coach:Jerry Sawyer (1st year).

2007 record:4-4 overall, 2-1 division.

Players to watch:Aaron Pierce, Nick Butler, Brandon Tyo.

Schedule:Sept. 6, vs. OFA, 1:30 p.m.; Sept. 13 vs. Massena, 1:30 p.m.; Sept. 19 at Tupper Lake, 7 p.m.; Sept. 27 at Potsdam, 1:30 p.m.; Oct. 4 vs. Gouverneur, 2:30 p.m.; Oct. 10 at Indian River, 7 p.m.; Oct. 18 vs. Peru, 1:30 p.m.; Oct. 25 at Malone, 2:30 p.m.

Gouverneur Wildcats

Coach:Joe Wahl (9th year, 38-35).

2007 record:3-5, 2-1.

Players to watch:Duane Roberts (19 catches, 239 yards, 1 TD); Kevin Koerick, Nico Devito, Todd Elliot.

Schedule:Sept. 6 vs. St. Lawrence, 1:30 p.m.; Sept. 13 at Saranac Lake, 2:30 p.m.; Sept. 19 at Indian River, 7 p.m.; Sept. 27 vs. OFA, 1:30 p.m.; Oct. 4 at Canton, 2:30 p.m.; Oct. 11 vs. Au Sable Valley, 1:30 p.m.; Oct. 18 vs. Massena, 1:30 p.m.; Oct. 25 at Beekmantown, 2:30 p.m.

Indian River Warriors

Coach:Cory Marsell (3rd year, 19-1).

2007 record:8-0, 3-0.

Players to watch:Curtis Dukes, Jarrod Peck, Tyler Slate.

Schedule:Sept. 5 vs. Beekmantown, 7 p.m.; Sept. 13 at Malone, 2:30 p.m.; Sept. 19 vs. Gouverneur, 7 p.m.; Sept. 26 vs. Massena, 7 p.m.; Oct. 3 at Potsdam, 7 p.m.; Oct. 10 vs. Canton, 7 p.m.; Oct. 17 at OFA, 7 p.m.; Oct. 25 at Saranac Central, 2:30 p.m.

Malone Huskies

Coach:Greg Marshall (11th year).

2007 record:1-7, 0-3.

Players to watch:Derek Hanna, Tyler Perry.

Schedule:Sept. 6 at Peru, 1:30 p.m.; Sept. 13 vs. Indian River, 2:30 p.m.; Sept. 20 vs. Plattsburgh, 1:30 p.m.; Sept. 27 at Saranac Central, 1:30 p.m.; Oct. 4 at St. Lawrence, 2:30 p.m.; Oct. 11 vs. Beekmantown, 1:30 p.m.; Oct. 17 at Potsdam, 7 p.m.; Oct. 25 vs. Canton, 2:30 p.m.

Massena Red Raiders

Coach:Tim Hayes (2nd year).

2007 record:3-5, 0-3.

Players to watch:Mike Perry, Ian Dominique, Taylor Elsner.

Schedule:Sept. 5 vs. Plattsburgh, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 13 at Canton, 1:30 p.m.; Sept. 20 vs. St. Lawrence, 1:30 p.m.; Sept. 26 at Indian River, 7 p.m.; Oct. 3 vs. OFA, 7 p.m.; Oct. 10 vs. Potsdam, 7 p.m.; Oct. 18 at Gouverneur, 1:30 p.m.; Oct. 24 at Seton Catholic, 7 p.m.

OFA Blue Devils

Coach:Matt Tessmer (4th year, 12-14).

2007 record:4-4, 2-1.

Players to watch:Jared Morrow, Steve Morrow, Tylor Stevenson, Kellen Skelly.

Schedule:Sept. 6 at Canton, 1:30 p.m.; Sept. 12 at Au Sable Valley, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 19 vs. Potsdam, 7 p.m.; Sept. 27 at Gouverneur, 1:30 p.m.; Oct. 3 at Massena, 7 p.m.; Oct. 10 vs. Saranac Lake, 7 p.m.; Oct. 17 vs. Indian River, 7 p.m.; Oct. 24 vs. Tupper Lake, 7 p.m.

Potsdam Sandstoners

Coach:Jim Kirka (11th year).

2007 record:5-3, 1-2.

Players to watch:Nick Howard, Cody Bonno, Brandon Kelly

Schedule:Sept. 5 vs. Saranac Central, 7 p.m.; Sept. 12 at Plattsburgh, 7 p.m.; Sept. 19 at OFA, 7 p.m.; Sept. 27 vs. Canton, 1:30 p.m.; Oct. 3 vs. Indian River, 7 p.m.; Oct. 10 at Massena, 7 p.m.; Oct. 17 vs. Malone, 7 p.m.; Oct. 25 at St. Lawrence, 2:30 p.m.

St. Lawrence Larries

Coach:Darren Richards (2nd year, 0-17).

2007 record:0-8, 0-5.

Players to watch:Eric Deshane, Camden Durant.

Schedule:Sept. 6 at Gouverneur, 1:30 p.m.; Sept. 13 vs. Moriah, 2:30 p.m.; Sept. 20 at Massena, :130 p.m.; Sept. 26 at Tupper Lake, 7 p.m.; Oct. 4 vs. Malone, 2:30 p.m.; Oct. 10 at Seton Catholic, 7 p.m.; Oct. 18 vs. Ticonderoga, 1:30 p.m.; Oct. 25 vs. Potsdam, 2:30 p.m.

Tupper Lake

Lumberjacks

Coach:Dennis Klossner (11th year).

2007 record:8-0, 5-0.

Players to watch:Zach Meade.

Schedule:Sept. 5 vs. Au Sable Valley, 7 p.m.; Sept. 12 at Seton Catholic, 7 p.m.; Sept. 19 vs. Canton, 7 p.m.; Sept. 26 vs. St. Lawrence, 7 p.m.; Oct. 3 at Moriah, 7 p.m.; Oct. 10 vs. Ticonderoga, 7 p.m.; Oct. 18 at Saranac Lake, 1:30 p.m.; Oct. 24 at OFA, 7 p.m.

SECTION 7

Outlook:Ticonderoga returns 24 seniors after making it to the state Class D championship game last year. Ticonderoga returns its starting quarterback in Anthony Barnao as well as Josh Hustis at running back. Peru faces an opposite situation, as it lost 24 seniors to graduation. Rob Duquet takes over at quarterback, replacing a three-year starter for the Indians. Plattsburgh was also hit hard from graduation and lost Will Harris when he moved to Georgia before finishing high school at Plattsburgh. The Hornets do have a big offensive line with Russ Robertson, Bryan Marlow and Andrew Manaehe. AuSable Valley returns a 305-pound lineman in David Thompson who will surely open holes for running backs Ben Prentiss and Larry Coolidge.

AuSable Valley Patriots

Coach:Heith Ford (5th year).

2007 record:1-7, 1-4.

Players to watch:Ben Prentiss (RB); Larry Coolidge (RB); Brad Belanger (QB); David Thompson (OL/DL).

Beekmantown Eagles

Coach:Mark Haley (1st year).

2007 record:5-3, 2-1.

Players to watch:Jonah Larson (QB); Matt Durocher (RB); Andrew Price (WR).

Moriah Vikings

Coach:Don Tesar (8th year).

2007 record:5-3, 3-2.

Players to watch:Jim Carlson (RB); Steven Owens (RB); Tyler Blaise (QB).

Peru Indians

Coach:Larry Ewald (20th year).

2007 record:8-0, 5-0.

Players to watch:Rob Duquet; Kevin Kilkeary (RB), Jacob Kelly (WR); Ben Whitney (WR).

Plattsburgh Hornets

Coach:Mike Bordeau (9th year).

2007 record:1-7, 0-3.

Players to watch:Russ Robertson, Bryan Marlow, Andrew Manaehe, Jared Murphy (QB).

Saranac Chiefs

Coach:Mark Burrell (1st year).

2007 record:2-6, 1-2.

Players to watch:Jake Mullady (RB); Cody Wood, Jason Lavarnway (QB).

Saranac Lake Red Storm

Coach:Mark Farmer (9th year).

2007 record:5-3, 2-1.

Players to watch:Steven Burpoe, David Snyder.

Seton Catholic Knights

Coach:Gary Ryan (8th year).

2007 record:3-5, 2-3.

Players to watch:Kaleb Gohlke (QB); Matt Seymour (RB) problem with number.

Ticonderoga Sentinels

Coach:Bob Sutphen (3rd year).

2007 record:6-2, 4-1.

Players to watch:Anthony Barnao (QB); Steven Lanheart (RB), Josh Hustis (RB).