List of contenders is long in Division II football

There is no shortage on story lines for Division II football this season.

Not when the defending champions have the Gatorade Player of the Year returning for a shot at another title. Not when last year's surprise runner-up brings back almost all of its starting lineup.

Not when two of the division's most prolific passing quarterbacks last season are also back for their senior years. Not when perennial playoff teams that came up short a year ago look to be reloaded.

The list of contenders is long in D2, but only eight of them will make it to the postseason. Here's a look at who might be battling for a championship this season.

Favorites

• Plymouth (10-2): The Bobcats got back to the top of the D2 mountain, winning their first title since 2013 last year behind Garrett Macomber, the Gatorade and Division II Player of the Year. Macomber is back, along with a supporting cast that can't possibly suffer as many injuries as a year ago. Expect Plymouth to be be at the top of the standings all season.
• Bow (9-3): The Falcons exceeded everyone's expectations - except their own - in their first year in D2, falling to Plymouth in the title game in the final moments. While Bow lost some high-end talent, it returns some key players, including quarterback Matt Harkins.
• Hollis Brookline (7-3): The Cavaliers got back to the playoffs last season, but came up short in the quarterfinals. While HB graduated some key seniors, quarterback Joey Delaney returns with a plethora of talent at the skill positions, including receiver Matt Simco.

Contenders

• Milford (6-3): A loss to Plymouth in the final regular-season game kept the Spartans out of the playoffs, but Milford returns several of its key contributors from a year ago. Among them are lineman Michael Boucher, quarterback Zach King and running backs Maverick Dodier and Dylan Salisbury.
• Windham (10-1): Another team that had its season ended by the defending champs, the Jaguars will try to make it three final appearance in four years. Windham returns a lot of experience and always seems to win games with a stable of players make big plays. This year should be no different.
• Souhegan (3-6): The Sabers have a new coach in former player Robin Bowkett, and will switch back to the spread offense favored by former head coach Mike Beliveau, who returns as an assistant. Souhegan's postseason hopes could depend on how well running back Dante Savo returns from a torn ACL in last year's finale.
• John Stark (8-2): The Generals turned in the best season in program history and first playoff appearance, but were upset at home by Bow in the quarterfinals. Gone is a lot of talent at the skill position, including Drew McQuarrie, who is at Boston College, but in his place steps younger brother, Parker, who should make a smooth transition to starting quarterback.
• St. Thomas (7-3): Ryan Brown takes over as the head coach of a Saints team that made the quarterfinals last year and has a lot of talent returning. That includes quarterback Shawn DeKorne and receiver Tim Bouchard, who filled in at quarterback when DeKorne was out with an injury last season.

Dark horse

• ConVal (6-3): The Cougars just missed out on a playoff berth last season, which should be plenty of motivation going into this year. ConVal has several experienced players back, including quarterback Dan Spezzaferri.
• Laconia (5-4): All of the Sachems' losses last year came to playoff teams and there enough returning players that Laconia should be in the hunt for a postseason spot. Drew Muzzey leads the way as a standout two-way player who received all-conference honors last year.

North Conference

(Predicted order of finish, last year's record)

1. Plymouth (10-2, won division title)
2. Bow (9-3, lost in final)
3. Laconia (5-4)
4. John Stark (8-2, lost in quarterfinals)
5. Kennett (4-5)
6. Hanover (9-2, lost in semifinals)
7. Lebanon (6-4, lost in quarterfinals)
8. Merrimack Valley (3-6)
9. Kingswood (1-8)
10. Pembroke (1-8)
11. Gilford-Belmont (1-8)

Games to watch: Laconia at Hanover, Sept. 1, 7 p.m.; Souhegan at John Stark, Sept. 2, 2 p.m.; Plymouth at Kennett, Sept. 8, 7 p.m.; Lebanon at John Stark, Sept. 16, 4 p.m.; Hanover at Lebanon, Sept. 22, 7 p.m.; Bow at Plymouth, Sept. 23, 1:30 p.m.; John Stark at Laconia, Sept. 29, 7 p.m.; Kennett at Bow, Oct. 7, 2 p.m.; Lebanon at Windham, Oct. 14, 1:30 p.m.; John Stark at Bow, Oct. 21, 1:30 p.m.; Lebanon at Bow, Oct. 28, 1:30 p.m.

South Conference

1. Hollis Brookline (7-3, lost in quarterfinals)
2. Milford (6-3)
3. Windham (10-1, lost in semifinals)
4. Souhegan (3-6)
5. St. Thomas (7-3, lost in quarterfinals)
6. ConVal (6-3)
7. Sanborn (4-5)
8. Hillsboro-Deering/Hopkinton (2-7)
9. Pelham (3-6)
10. Manchester West (0-9)

Games to watch: ConVal at Milford, Sept. 1, 7 p.m.; Hollis Brookline at Windham, Sept. 2, 1:30 p.m.; Windham at Milford, Sept. 8, 7 p.m.; St. Thomas at Souhegan, Sept. 15, 7:30 p.m.; Souhegan at Windham, Sept. 23, 1:30 p.m.; Milford at Souhegan, Sept. 29, 7 p.m.; Windham at St. Thomas, Sept. 30, 1:30 p.m.; Hollis Brookline at ConVal, Oct. 6, 7 p.m.; Souhegan at Hollis Brookline, Oct. 28, 1:30 p.m.; Milford at Plymouth, Oct. 28, 1:30 p.m.; ConVal at Windham, Oct. 28, 1:30 p.m.

Playoffs

The top two teams in each conference get the top seeds in the playoffs, based on rating. The next six best teams, based on rating, are seeded in the final six playoff spots.

Conference winners: Hollis Brookline, Plymouth.

Remaining six: Milford, Windham, Bow, Laconia, Souhegan, St. Thomas.

Championship: Plymouth over Milford.