After a poor 2-8 record last season, CHS Football is hoping a year of experience for their top contributors will help lead to an improved season.

With new faces such as former National Football League (NFL) head coach Willie Williams and offensive coordinator Chris Samuels being added to fold, there is a feeling of optimism surrounding the team for the upcoming year.

“We feel really confident about this year’s team,” junior captain Michael Janis said. “We are very motivated and excited for what we know we can do.”

Williams, who played in the NFL for 12 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks, is optimistic about CHS’ talent and versatility.

“We have a very talented young football team,” Williams said. “Our seniors understand what we’re looking for in our football program, and they are buying into what we are trying to accomplish.”

Janis, who is entering his second season as the starting quarterback for CHS, is optimistic that the blend of key returning starters and new, incoming contributors will help improve on last year’s results.

“A year of varsity experience is very helpful for our returning players,” Janis said. “We have many guys playing their first varsity games, and they have done a great job adjusting to the speed of the game.”

Sophomore wide receiver Gabe Moore, who led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns last year, believes that CHS has the talent, experience and quality coaching to make a run to the postseason.

“Our goal for the season is to make it to the playoffs this year, which is very possible thanks to the new coaching staff,” Moore said.

CHS has begun the season 2-2, with losses to Richard Montgomery HS and a heartbreaking 39-32 to Wootton HS. But they scored big wins against Gaithersburg HS and Whitman HS.

Janis had strong starts in the first three games, running 718 yards from scrimmage and scoring seven total touchdowns. Moore has held his own with eight catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns. The running back tandem of junior Patrick Richardson and senior Isaac Lewis, ran 394 yards from scrimmage and scored four touchdowns combined. The talented combination of these players and more have CHS looking at achieving a vastly improved win total this season. CHS next game Sept. 28 against Bethesda Chevy Chase HS.